Grayson For 20-year-old Grayson Owens, soccer has been more than a sport—it’s been a lifeline. Now a Business major at National Park College, Grayson’s journey from high school to college athlete is rooted in his transformative experience with Play Where You Stay. “I didn’t even want to go to college,” he admits. “But Maxi called me one day and said he had an opportunity for me. It wasn’t a question—he told me I had to go. That moment changed everything.” "I think it—a lot, to be honest, because a lot of people wouldn't be playing soccer if it wasn't for Play Where You Stay. I wouldn't be in college right now if it wasn't for Play Where You Stay, or at least where I'm at. I know a lot of people who wouldn't have been where they were if it wasn't for Play Where You Stay. Because a lot of people—a lot here is pay-to-play. A lot of people can't, you know..." - Grayson Owens What do you think your life would look like if you didn't continue with Play Where You Stay? Grayson joined Play Where You Stay in his

Jason Jason Rivera-Sarabia’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of dreams. As an 18-year-old Business major at National Park College and a first-generation college student, Jason reflects on the profound impact Play Where You Stay had on his life. Introduced to the program in 10th grade by a friend, Jason found himself challenged and supported by Coach Maxi, who taught him the value of discipline and hard work. “Maxi was hard on me, but it helped me build character,” Jason recalls. “He’d make me run if I was late, and it pushed me to stay on top of my responsibilities, on and off the field.” What did that process look like going through the college prep program at Play Where You Stay? "Maxi had us practice with him three times a week, like personal training. He'd make us work out, lift weights, practice with the ball, and he got us a tryout at NPC. The coach contacted us, and he liked us, and we committed." - Jason Rivera-Sarabia This emphasis on discipline became a cornerstone of Jason’s success, guiding him through the challenges of balancing academics, soccer, and

Linberth Linberth Soriano’s journey from a nervous high school sophomore to a confident college athlete is a powerful testament to the impact of Play Where You Stay. Now a 19-year-old Mechanical Engineering major at National Park College, Linberth reflected on his time with Play Where You Stay, before pursuing his collegiate soccer career. “I started at 15 or 16, nervous about the whole environment,” he recalls. But under the guidance of Coach Maxi and his teammates, Linberth quickly found his footing, becoming a starter and scoring in his very first game. Maxi’s mentorship was pivotal, teaching him skills like pivoting and playmaking while also fostering leadership and confidence. “Maxi didn’t just help me on the field,” Linberth said, “He taught me about teamwork, unity, and how to lead—skills I still use today.” Play Where You Stay’s commitment to accessibility also played a significant role in Linberth’s journey. “Some clubs charge a lot to play, but Play Where You Stay made it possible for kids like me to have a future in soccer without worrying about costs,” he explains. This inclusivity, combined with tailored support in connecting players to college opportunities, allowed Linberth to overcome barriers, including the

Matar Matar Sine, a former PWYS Competitive Boys Team player turned psychology major at National Park College, is the embodiment of how opportunity and support can transform lives. Reflecting on his time with Play Where You Stay, Matar shares, “Play Where You Stay gave me freedom. It convinced me that soccer is the sport I want to pursue. Without it, I probably would have just kept running track.” Matar joined the program during his junior year of high school, initially unsure about committing to soccer. But through the encouragement of friends and coaches like Maxi, he discovered a passion for the game and a sense of belonging he had never experienced in other sports. “Soccer is different. It’s a community,” Matar explains. “You get to express yourself on the field, and Play Where You Stay made that possible for me.” The "express yourself" ideology. I played for other clubs, but my favorite thing about Play Where You Stay was that we were structured but not restricted. We could play as freely as we wanted, and that's really what made us better than every other team we played. - Matar Sine

It’s a soccer story only the irrepressible Ted Lasso, TV’s likeable and unlikely soccer coach, would think was possible. Teenage sons and daughters of immigrants and refugees in Memphis form makeshift neighborhood soccer teams that win a state championship and then a World Cup. “Well, you say impossible, but all I hear is, ‘I’m possible,’ ” Lasso, the American football coach who moves to England to coach a multicultural pro soccer team, would say. Improbable, yes, but not impossible. The boys’ team from Play Where You Stay (PWYS), an inclusive, inexpensive, neighborhood-based soccer program, did win the 2021 Division 2 State Cup last fall. Now, three members of the PWYS girls team are flying to Qatar Thursday, Oct. 6, to play for Team USA in the Street Child World Cup. Yessica Muñoz, Brenda Gonzalez and Marlene Casas Reyes will join three teenagers from Chicago and four from New York to compete for the cup with girls teams from 12 others countries. The Memphis girls, all U.S.-born daughters of Mexican immigrants, will play at some of the same facilities that will host the 2022 World Cup, which kicks off in late November. They also will participate in a General Assembly organized to call attention to

Come join our Competitive Boys teams this Fall! We're excited to announce that we will be having tryouts for our three boys competitive teams soon! While Fall seems like a long time away, now is the time to plan and prepare for the 2022 Fall soccer season. With each season we work to improve our program and increase the opportunities to expose players to high-quality training and competition. We will have three teams! Please fill out our player interest form at playwhereyoustay.org/competitive and we will get back to you with tryouts' location and time for your team. Tryouts will go from May 30th until June 10th. Check out all the info below and share it with your friends, families, and soccer fans. Our programming is free/low cost and our mission is to create a future in which every child has a chance to grow up with the world’s game. Questions? Contact us at (901)864-2800 or at learn@playwhereyoustay.org Interest Form Your donations support our coaches! If you wish to donate to Play Where You Stay and help us cover coaching and equipment costs, please do it by using the button below. Donate here

New updates on your impact As one of Play Where You Stay's most impactful supporters, your past contributions have allowed PWYS to grow into a premier sports organization that makes soccer in Memphis more accessible, inclusive, competitive, and joyful. To share our appreciation, we will be reaching out four times per year to share details of PWYS news, programs, and initiatives. Thank you for being a part! In March, players from our Boys and Girls Middle School teams joined a private practice session with former professional Soccer player, Tim Howard. Play Where You Stay's Work with Schools When Play Where You Stay was founded in 2018, programming focused on bringing soccer to Memphis neighborhoods for children ages 5 to 11 by creating an after-school barrier-free opportunity to learn, play, and exercise in nearby lots and parks. In 2019, we launched a competitive program for children ages 12 to 18 to supplement middle and high school team sport experiences with skilled off-season “club” play and competitive training. In the fall of 2021, Play Where You Stay supported Snowden's Middle School girl's team. We learned that school teams face challenges finding skilled soccer coaches and accessing appropriate equipment to ensure players maximize their

PWYS UPDATE Thank you for sharing this incredible past year with us. During this holiday season, join us in reflecting on some of our favorite moments of the last year. Instructional Soccer This year we brought the world's greatest game to parks and greenspaces all around the city. Special thanks to our partners at Klondike Park, Gaston Park, Chandler Park, For The Kingdom, Binghampton Park, Parkway Village Elementary, Gaisman Park, and 2nd Baptist Church. Game Day Our Game Days were a great opportunity for all our players ages 5-11 to put into action all the skills learned during our instructional seasons! 3v3 Adult Fundraiser Tournament We hosted a 3v3 adult tournament at Klondike Park to raise funds for our Instructional program for kids ages 5-11. It was an amazing day with a lot of 3v3 soccer! We welcomed our first Intern from Christian Brothers University! Jacob assisted in all program daily operations, communications with parents, coaches, and partners and helped develop strategies for growing the organization. PWYS Competitive We had a break-out year for our State Cup Winners and we look forward to more seasons with all of our players. Read more about the season in the Daily Memphian. High School Boys Team Middle School Boys Team