ORLANDO, Fla. – Beginning Tuesday, June 10, the Orlando City Foundation (Foundation) will host a series of free soccer clinics spanning the entire summer for children in the Parramore district. The summer soccer clinics - which will be led by Foundation staff, Orlando City professionals and U23 players and guests from Orlando Health – will focus on teaching the young attendees basic soccer techniques, insightful tips on how to stay healthy through proper exercise and nutrition, and the importance of literacy.

The summer soccer clinics, which will take place at five different locations, will debut at the Howard Middle School from 1-3PM. Other participating sites include the New Image Youth Center, the Callahan Center, the Jackson Center and the Downtown Recreational Center.

During those two hours, Foundation staff, Orlando City professionals and U23 players, and Orlando Health guests will engage the youngsters in an informative Q & A dialogue on developing and maintaining one’s holistic well-being. Following the talk, the instructors will lead children through basic soccer training sessions, each spanning for about 30 minutes.

At these stations, children will learn how to dribble, pass and shoot through exciting and challenging drills. Finally, the youngsters will be able to put their skills to the test through scrimmages and other fun games.

Following each clinic, attendees will receive an indestructible soccer ball, courtesy of Jim Philips of the Philips Phile (104.1 FM) and an Orlando City Soccer Club T-shirt. Additionally, the Foundation will donate to each participating site literature geared toward helping staff members properly run and maintain soccer programs throughout the year.

Also, in collaboration with the Foundation’s soccer clinics, JetBlue and Random House Children's Books will partner with the Foundation to host its award-winning Soar with Reading literacy program at the Downtown Recreational Center on June 12th at 12:30 PM.

The free event, which will feature American author Mary Pope Osborne’s newest book Soccer on Sundays, will take young readers on a fictional soccer-themed journey in which they will learn the importance of teamwork on and off the pitch.

Following the event, every child will receive one free book to take home. For more details, potentialattendees can contact Becca Thomas, 407-480-4758 [email protected]

“Our main focus is promoting a healthy lifestyle for children,” said Director of Community Relations and Chair of Orlando City Foundation Kay Rawlins. “We want to start our initiatives in the heart of Parramore, which will hopefully start a trickle effect throughout Orlando. Preparing the children for the future is something that the whole city of Orlando should be involved in.”