Georgia Soccer Names SDH Network Official Media Partner, Launching Statewide Push for Access Through Soccer for All
Every player deserves a team. Every team deserves a community.
[ATLANTA, GA — Insert Date] — Georgia Soccer and the SDH Network today announced a new partnership naming SDH as the official media partner of Georgia Soccer. The agreement launches a shared commitment to storytelling, visibility, and mission. It is anchored by Soccer for All, Georgia Soccer’s initiative to remove the financial and structural barriers that keep players, coaches, and referees out of the game.
Under the partnership, the SDH Network will provide original coverage of Georgia Soccer events, programs, and community initiatives, including interviews, features, podcasts, articles, and social media content designed to connect audiences across the state to the people and organizations building soccer from the ground up.
At the center of the partnership is Soccer for All, a strategic initiative designed to expand access and belonging within Georgia’s soccer ecosystem. The program provides targeted grant support to member organizations and is built around four areas of investment: (1) player access, (2) coach development, (3) referee development; and (4) facility and infrastructure improvements that create safer, more accessible spaces to play. Soccer for All is not designed as a one-time relief program. It is designed to challenge the systemic barriers inside the current model and to create pathways that lead to long-term belonging, not just initial participation. The initial launch for Soccer for All is slated for Fall, 2026.
Jim Walker, Executive Director for Georgia Soccer, noted, “This partnership with Soccer Down Here allows both entities to jointly elevate the game by providing easier access to the sport for those that may have financial difficulties in participating. Soccer is meant for everyone and Soccer for All is our combined effort toward making that philosophy a reality across our state. It is an honor for Georgia Soccer to be partnered with Soccer Down Here in this endeavor.”
“Soccer has always been about people and community, and this partnership gives us an opportunity to tell those stories in a deeper and more meaningful way. We are proud to work with Georgia Soccer to amplify Soccer for All and highlight the clubs, coaches, referees, families, and players who are expanding access to the game across the state.”” said Jason Longshore, Chief Strategic Officer, Soccer Down Here.
Neil McNab, President of Georgia Soccer, echoed these sentiments, “Soccer for All embodies the best vision of how soccer can be reimagined in our communities. It highlights our community members, their ongoing efforts, and facilitates real support to make the difference. Having Soccer Down Here alongside this initiative with Georgia Soccer will continue to shine a light where it is needed most. We are excited to get to work together.”
Soccer for All is open to current Georgia Soccer member organizations. The initiative also offers sponsors and investment partners a direct way to support measurable community impact: more players who can afford to play, more coaches who are licensed and supported, more referees who stay in the game, and more facilities that are worth showing up to.
SDH will support all facets of building and growing Soccer for All from identifying and bringing partners to the table, seeking out areas to focus on, and telling the success stories that result from the initiative.
About Georgia Soccer: Georgia Soccer is the authorized state youth and adult association for Georgia within the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), and through them is part of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). Also, Georgia Soccer serves as the official National State Association of USYSA. Georgia Soccer is committed to growing the game across the state by supporting players, coaches, referees, clubs, and communities at every level. Through initiatives such as Soccer for All, Georgia Soccer is working to expand access, strengthen local organizations, and create a more inclusive and sustainable future for soccer in Georgia. Please visit Georgia State Soccer Association for more information: www.georgiasoccer.org.
About the SDH Network: Beginning as the Soccer Down Here podcast in 2017, the SDH Network is Georgia’s home for soccer storytelling, coverage, conversation, and community. As the official media partner of Georgia Soccer, SDH will help amplify the people and programs growing the game across the state through original content and statewide coverage. Please visit Soccer Down Here for more information: https://www.soccerdownhere.net/