901 FC Community Report by joshuaclayton1

2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT

“As we reflect on 2024, I couldn’t be more proud of the progress Memphis 901 FC has made both on and off the field. Our players and staff have worked tirelessly to engage with our community, reaching individuals from all walks of life and reinforcing our commitment to making a real difference. This year, we’ve built a club that not only excels in competition but also fosters pride, unity, and inclusion throughout Memphis. We’ve taken steps to ensure that every person, no matter their background, feels like they belong to the 901 family. As we move forward, we continue to focus on building a club we can all be proud of, one that truly reflects the heart and spirit of our great city.”

CALEB PATTERSON-SEWELL SPORTING DIRECTOR

OUR PURPOSE

Memphis 901 FC is devoted to serving the Mid-South community it calls home with our four pillars of outreach: Access, Inclusion, Education and Economic Sustainability.

ACCESS INCLUSION

901 FC is commited to breaking down barriers and building bridges within the community, providing access to the sport for all. The club works to create pathways for youth and families in underserved coummunities, using sport as a tool for empowerment for those often excluded from the game.

Every individual, regardless of background or ability, deserves the opportunity to engage, learn and thrive through the power of soccer. We strive to create a welcoming space that encourages teamwork, respect and personal growth on and off the pitch.

EDUCATION

Learning extends beyond the classroom as soccer offers valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, discipline and resilience. Our programs extended to youth programs and coaches accross the Mid-South foster a culture of learning, support and mentorship.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

901 FC is commited to promoting economic sustainability with accesible, affordable opportuinites to reduce financial barriers and increase long-term patricipation.

BY THE NUMBERS

COUMMUNITY EVENTS

547 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

7,700

MID-SOUTH YOUTH INTERACTED WITH

3,500

MID-SOUTH FAMILIES SERVED

CANCER KICKERS SOCCER CLUB

Memphis 901 FC is a proud partner of internantional non-profit Cancer Kickers Soccer Club. The organization was founded by Memphis native Chris Clothier in 2016 with a mission to provide comfort, community and connections to children fighting cancer.

Since then, the organization has shipped personalized soccer kits to over 2,500 club members in all 50 states and 23 countries around the world. The Cancer Kickers logo appeared on the front of all game jerseys in 2024, including the special edition Community Kit revealed in Septemeber.

A percentage of all jersey sales and game ticket sales in select sections benefits the Cancer Kickers Soccer Club

THE COMMUNITY KIT

The 2024 Community Kit is a fully customized alternate jersey inspired by the mission of the club’s front jersey sponsor Cancer Kickers Soccer Club. The Community Kit made it’s debut on Cancer Kickers Night at AutoZone Park on September 14, 2024 as a part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Memphis 901 FC recognized Septemeber as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with several activations alongside the seasonlong programs benefiting Cancer Kickers Soccer Club:

• Cancer Kickers Night at AutoZone Park featured Cancer Kickers members as honrary capitan, guitar smasher and first goal scorer.

• Pledge-Per-Goal Program with supporters pledging donations for each goal scored by 901 FC during September.

• Season Ticket Member Silent Auction and Watch Party with supporters bidding on exclusive game-worn items.

“Cancer Kickers Soccer Club is lucky to have amazing volunteers like the staff at 901 FC. We have loved having the guys around our office the past several months helping to write comfort cards and really appreciate your dedication to furthering our cause. It is because of wonderful people like you that our mission is possible. Your notes of encouragement have helped to brighten up the days of countless kids around the world who are battling cancer.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity. It truly makes a difference in our teammates’ lives!”

AINSLEY STONEBROOK

CANCER KICKERS SOCCER CLUB

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

YOUTH SOCCER

COMMUNITY OPEN PRACTICE

901 FC’s Third Annual Open Practice was the club’s biggest yet with over 400 kids at Mike Rose Soccer Complex to watch practice and take the field for drills led by their favorite players.

COACH EDUCATION DAY

The Third Annual Free Coach Education Day saw over 60 coaches from accross the Mid-South join for an instructional clinic featuring a presentation and on-field session from Sporting Lisbon’s Diogo Teixeira, followed by a chalk talk with Head Coach Stephen Glass after 901 FC’s match at AutoZone Park.

YOUTH SOCCER

ACCEL YOUTH SESSIONS

901 FC and Accel Performance and Wellness continued their series of free performance sessions for youth players in the Mid-South. Over 160 youth participants over four sessions went through soccer specific strength and skill clinics with 901 FC players and coaches led by the team’s official trainers.

MEMPHIS SCHOLARS VISIT PROGRAM

Memphis 901 FC players and staff donated equipment and spread the game of soccer through a four-week inner city school visit program during the season.

“We want to try and push this program forward to where we can provide further resources by way of balls, pennies, cones or have a team put together and have an opportunity for the kids as best we can. That’s the next step in the journey, but the first four-week program was a great start,” said Sporting Director Caleb Patterson-Sewell.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

PRIDE NIGHT

901 FC is proud to be the first professional sports organization in Memphis to host a Pride Nigtht and continued the tradition in 2024, working with several LGBTQ non-profit organizations leading up to the June 28 match.

LATINO HERITAGE NIGHT

Latino Heritage Night made it’s return to AutoZone Park with multiple activations including a plaza party with a Latino band and over 10 Latino organizations in the concourse such as the Mid-South Latino Chamber of Commerce.

901 FC players also made volunteer appearances at youth training sessions in the latino Community - Mulitnational Memphis and Futsal Escola.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

SPECIAL OLYMPICS GREATER MEMPHIS

901 FC players donated soccer balls and visited Special Olympics Greater Memphis to play with kids and adults with intellectual disabilities during the season.

MADONNA LEARNING CENTER

901 FC made volunteer appearances at Madonna Learning Center, a school for children and adults with disabilities in Germantown, Tenn., during the 2024 season.

The Madonna Learning Center Cheer Team performed at halftime of Hometown Heroes Night at AutoZone Park.

NON-PROFITS

UNITED WAY OF THE MID-SOUTH

901 FC collaborated with United Way for a school supply drive on Back to School in July night, recieving 126,251 school supplies totalling $1,660,553.94 worth of donations for Shelby County Schools.

LE BONHEUR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Memphis 901 FC held the Kicking it for Kids Toy Drive with players delivering donations to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

“Our partnership with 901 FC has been truly exceptional. The organization’s dedication to serving the Mid-South perfectly aligns with the mission of United Way of the Mid-South. 901FC has helped us reach soccer fans, inviting them to enjoy the love of the game while giving back to their community.”

SHAMIKIA ADKINS

UNITED WAY OF THE MID-SOUTH

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MGR.

“Seeing the players interact with the kids, offering both toys and smiles, has a lasting positive impact during what can be a challenging time for these families,” said Le Bonheur Community Engagement Specialist Allison Smith.

NON-PROFITS

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CHARITIES MEMPHIS

901 FC players and staff spent afternoons with St. Jude patients and their families at Ronald McDonald House of Charities.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

901 FC and American Red Cross Mid-South Chapter partnered for a blood drive to help fight an emergency blood shortage. Players and staff also volunteered to assist in the annual picnic recognzing American Red Cross volunteers.

“Community partnerships provide an opportunity to amplify this message as we collaborate to meet the most urgent needs of our community members.” said Director Sarah Breazeale