PORTLAND, Ore. – As part of the Fields For All partnership between the Portland Timbers’ community initiative, Stand Together, and Operation Pitch Invasion (OPI), a pair of new futsal courts were unveiled today at the Boys & Girls Club’s Rockwood campus.
The unveiling marked the third set of futsal courts presented by the Fields for All partnership, with Stand Together and Operation Pitch Invasion partnering on the development of King’s Court at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School last year. Since 2011, the Timbers have contributed to 14 soccer fields and futsal courts, providing the greater Portland area with organized outlets for playing soccer.
The Shane Bemis Futsal Courts unveiled at the Rockwood Boys & Girls Club will support local youth programs, encourage children to live a healthy, active lifestyle and signifies the strong commitment the Timbers, OPI and fans have to supporting the surrounding community. Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis joined Timbers players Diego Valeri and Diego Chara, Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, Boys & Girls Club CEO Erin Hubert, OPI board members, Timbers mascot Timber Joey and city officials and sponsors for a special dedication ceremony for the new futsal court Thursday.
The development of the new facility is supported by generous donations from Portland Timbers’ community sponsors, including adidas, IKEA Portland, JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, KeyBank and Providence Health and Services.
Fields For All aims to identify 'recreation deserts' – communities underserved by recreational activities for kids – and fill them with safe, healthy and high-quality playing surfaces. Its work focuses on areas with open community access and neighborhood support. In addition, Fields For All targets locations in close proximity to schools, youth clubs and recreation centers, providing ongoing programming to support organized and structured play for local area youth.
Through their community outreach platform, Stand Together, the Timbers are committed to furthering their community mission to harness the power of sport to improve the lives of children and families in the region through targeted programs, deep partnerships and philanthropic giving. For more information on the Timbers community outreach programs and partners, visit timbers.com/stand-together.
OPI is a local, grassroots organization that builds, revitalizes and maintains soccer fields and futsal courts throughout the Portland metro area so that players of all ages and skill levels have high quality and safe playing surfaces to enjoy the beautiful game. OPI is an Oregon 501(c)(3) corporation. For more information, visit www.pitch-invasion.org.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro’s mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Portland-Metro Clubs have been at the forefront of providing facility-based enrichment programs for youth ages six to 18 for over 70 years, providing them with a safe and secure place to belong when school is out. For more information, visit www.bgcportland.org.
