Women in Detroit Make a Difference Through Soccer
The Impact League, a new recreational soccer league for women 18+, is launching in Detroit with a unique focus on social impact. Aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), each team in the league is required to design a Purpose Project. The SDGs are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Following successful pilots in the Middle East and Africa, Detroit represents the first North American program for this globally-minded organization. “The Impact League is more than just a soccer league,” said co-founder Marie Hansen. “It’s a community of women who are passionate about making a difference in the world. We use soccer as a platform to raise awareness of the SDGs and to inspire women to take action to create a better future for all.”
The Impact League will take place on the same nights as Detroit City FC’s new Premier Arena Soccer League home matches on the boarded field of the Detroit City Fieldhouse, making each matchday a well-rounded and fun night for women in soccer in the city of Detroit.
Throughout the season, teams compete to win Soccer Points, and Impact Points and to present the most impactful Purpose Project on the sixth and final game day. Teams will score points for following a set of sustainable rules established jointly at the beginning of the season.
The team with the winning Purpose Project will be rewarded with funding for their project. This could involve expanding the project to reach more people or developing new ways to measure and evaluate the project’s impact.
The Impact League is partnering with Detroit City FC, a professional soccer club that is known for its commitment to community engagement. Detroit City FC will provide the Impact League with access to its facilities and resources, and will also help to promote the league to its fan base.
“Our founding league, the DCFL, was built out with a community service requirement,” said Alex Wright, owner and chief creative officer of Detroit City FC. “We share the Impact League’s commitment to grassroots service, and we believe that soccer makes this possible by bringing people together and hopefully, making a difference in the world.”
The Impact League is now accepting sign-ups for the upcoming season. To learn more or to sign up, visit www.impact-league.com
How to get involved this winter season
If you are a woman 18+ who is passionate about soccer and social impact, we encourage you to get involved in the Impact League. Here are a few ways:
- Sign up as a team with your friends or colleagues, or sign up as an individual player and the League Managers will match you with a team.
- Team price per season: $500, split between 8-12 players on each team.
- Be fans and join us on game nights at the City Fieldhouse. Dates will be announced soon.
- Donate to support the league’s work.
No matter how you choose to get involved, the Impact League is a great way to make a difference in your community and the world.
Founders seek visionary Detroit businesses for multi-year partnership
Hansen and Gilmartin, the two founders of the Impact League, are looking for visionary partners who understand that sustainable change needs a long-term commitment and see the opportunities in doing multi-year collaborative partnerships. Partners can help design the sponsor tier that matches their vision, ranging from exclusive rights to one Playoff Team to being the lead national sponsoring partner.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
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Please send all media inquiries to media@detcityfc.com.
Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki
(Sports Information Director, Jarrett.Maki@detcityfc.com)
