ALEXANDRIA, VA-, The Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA) hosted its second annual Soccer Fiesta on June 7. The event drew soccer fans and players to Four Mile Run Field. Its purpose is to celebrate the successful completion of the school year for the “Access4All After School Program,” a nationally recognized initiative that serves families and students at several public schools in the city. Participants from three local elementary schools—Charles Barrett, Cora Kelly, and Mount Vernon—joined in the festivities, made possible through an Inova Health Equity Grant.
The Soccer Fiesta was founded in 2024 to empower the students involved in ASA’s Access4All After School Programs, creating new opportunities for growth and connection. This program aims to break down barriers and provide students with access to soccer. The programs are free for students, held at their schools, and participants receive a jersey upon completing the program.
Event organizer Coach Johnathan Nunez grew up in Alexandria. He began his soccer journey with the local association as a child. Nunez emphasized the importance of soccer as a unifying sport, explaining, “Coaching is a way for me to give back to those who supported me while I was growing up.” He describes soccer as a “world language that transcends barriers and fosters connections among children and their parents, particularly those with limited English language skills.”
Activities and games highlighted the community spirit that soccer brings to Alexandria. Soccer Fiesta also offered families free dental check-ups from Alexandria’s Children’s Dentistry. Inova offered complimentary health screenings. The event connected kids and their families with community organizations, providing school supplies, soccer balls, and snacks. Local nonprofit InspireLit handed out free children’s books.
Soccer Fiesta also recognized organizations that have a positive impact on kids after school. These include the Alexandria Library, Postpartum Wellness, InspireLit, Casa Chirilagua, Jorge Manzaneda EDU-Futuro, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Inova Community Health Programs, Local Motion Project, Re-Soccer, and Ben and Jerry’s.
ASA is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play soccer, regardless of their skill level or financial situation. Last year, ASA provided financial aid to families, benefiting 2,929 participants with a total of $750,000. This was possible because of support from sponsors, such as Amazon, the Jen Walker Team, and AlexRenew.
Additionally, donations are allocated to creating safe spaces for ASA’s activities and public soccer use. In 2024 alone, ASA invested in bench shelters and temporary futsal courts at Witter Fields. They also installed field lighting at Jefferson-Houston Elementary and Francis C. Hammond and supported the city’s rectangular fields by purchasing and distributing sandbags and corner flags.
Tommy Park, ASA’s Executive Director, acknowledged that today’s event serves as a way to thank the many places and people who work tirelessly to make Alexandria’s thriving soccer programs accessible and enjoyable. These programs currently serve individuals aged 2 to 73, showcasing soccer’s ability to foster community across all age groups and provide a healthy, enjoyable sporting activity in a safe environment.
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