First-kick ceremonies were held Thursday afternoon on the Kick It Forward soccer mini-pitch at Perry Elementary School.
Kick It Forward is a Des Moines-based nonprofit that provides programming to youth soccer players and more access to coaching and playing opportunities. In building Perry’s mini-pitch, Kick It Forward partnered with Pro Iowa, promoters of the $535 million professional soccer stadium planned for downtown Des Moines, and Musco Lighting, the Oskaloosa-based global leader in sports lighting.
“This is one of 10 mini-pitches around the state that we’ve partnered with Pro Iowa and Musco Lighting in building,” said Ben Brackett, Kick It Forward’s “positive disruptor” in the Iowa soccer community.
Brackett, a Des Moines native and lifelong soccer player, said he joined Kick It Forward when he “realized how desperately our soccer community needs advocates and supporters of the game itself — not a particular club or team. Accessibility is the name of the game, whether it be through providing free or affordable playing opportunities or developing more soccer facilities.”
Kyle Davy, director of revenue for the Pro Iowa project, was similarly enthusiastic about Perry’s mini-pitch.
“Pro Iowa and its partners are excited to see what can happen as we create these sustainable soccer ecosystems to help young players develop,” Davy said. The 10 mini-pitches around the state represent a $1 million investment in Iowa communities, he said.
The Perry mini-pitch is sized for futsal, a fast-paced, scaled-down soccer game played on a hard surface with dimensions similar to a basketball court. Games consist of four field players plus a goalkeeper and help develop players’ technical soccer skills. The Perry facility has lighting, fencing, goals and benches to provide the public a safe space to play.
“The mini-pitch is constantly in use,” said Perry Elementary School Principal Ryan Marzen. “The younger kids love it and line up for their turns at recess, and I often see high school kids playing here when I leave at the end of the day. It’s a hugely popular asset.”
PCSD Superintendent Clark Wicks said he was grateful to Kick It Forward, Pro Iowa ad Musco Lighting for their generous donation and enhancement of the elementary school playground.
After brief speeches, three fifth-grade boys and three girls were chosen for the first-kick ceremonies, with the girls scoring the first goal on the mini-pitch to the cheers of their classmates.
