Taking a look back at the success of the Atlanta Summit, Young Leaders from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and the host city Atlanta came together for an inspiring and impactful experience.
The summit kicked off with a cultural walking tour of Atlanta, led by Alfeo Dixon, a member of the local ATL Cityzens supporters’ group.
The tour included visits to significant landmarks such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and Sweet Auburn Avenue, providing rich historical context to the participants.
Throughout the tour, Lescott and Wright-Phillips listened attentively as the Young Leaders shared personal stories about how soccer has influenced their skills and fuelled their passion for creating positive change.
On day two, the Young Leaders returned to the pitch for a hands-on session led by City in the Community coaches. The focus was on how football can be harnessed to promote both mental and physical health.
Erick, one of the Young Leaders, reflected on his experience, saying: “It really pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me take a step forward for myself.
“I had a great time with everyone and found it to be a valuable learning experience in a supportive environment.”
Throughout the summit, the Young Leaders explored important themes such as teamwork, inclusion, and creating safe spaces, all through the unifying power of football.
They also reflected on their coaching styles and how these have evolved over the course of the summit.
The following day our Young Leaders jumped straight into action, putting the CITC coaches’ teachings into practice by taking the lead on delivering dynamic and inclusive sessions for local children in Atlanta.
Natalie, a Young Leader from Atlanta, said: “I’m so grateful for the chance to attend the summit…during the session, Pete [a CITC coach] said, ‘You don’t know what inclusion is until you’ve been excluded,’ and that really stuck with me.
“It reminded me how powerful it is when we intentionally create space for everyone, regardless of age or ability, you should have a place on the soccer field.”
Wrapping up a successful summit with 16 Young Leaders who we’ve proudly watched grow in confidence, embrace leadership roles, and create safe spaces within their communities.
Natalie Sutcliffe, a City in the Community coach, said: “The Young Leaders’ have grown in confidence. They challenged each other to learn and develop. I’m excited to see what they take back and put into their community projects at home.”
Check out the video above to see our Young Leaders in action!