Somerville Youth Soccer is extremely excited to welcome DICK’S Sporting Goods as a community partner and the official sponsor of the organization’s Tykes program beginning with Fall 2023 season.

In addition to serving as the Tykes title sponsor, DICK’S will also provide SYS with equipment for each season as well as the opportunity for members to enjoy special sales and discounts at its Medford store location as well as online.

DICK’S Sporting Goods is the leading omnichannel retailer that serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 locations. The company is built on the belief that sports have the power to change lives and are one of the most powerful youth developments tools to help kids succeed.

“We are thrilled to welcome DICK’S Sporting Goods as a valued community partner with Somerville Youth Soccer,” SYS President Dominic Lachowicz said. “Their investment in our organization is also an investment in our future, as the Tykes program is where the athletic journey begins for so many children in the city.  I want to thank Senior Community Marketing Manager Matt Catacchio and everyone at DICK’S for making a difference in the lives of our youth.”

This spring, nearly 320 children (a league record) participated in Somerville Youth Soccer’s Tykes program, which introduces children ages 2-3 to the sport through weekly sessions involving fun and games.  Over the course of the year, nearly 500 children are members of the Tykes program during the fall and spring seasons combined.

DICK’S Sporting Goods joins PUMA, Bow Market, Boynton Yards, and Market Basket as community partners in the Somerville Youth Soccer family, with several more on the way later this summer.  SYS also engages in strategic partnerships with East Somerville Main Streets, Boston Vigor FC, and the New England Revolution.

This Is Somerville Youth Soccer

The Somerville Youth Soccer Association is a volunteer organization founded in the Fall of 1990 by a small group of parents working with the Somerville Recreation Commission. At the time, Somerville had no organized program for youth soccer. Many Somerville children were registered to play in Medford, Cambridge, and Arlington. By the Fall of 1991 a formal Board of Directors with officers was established. The Association’s by-laws and constitution were adopted in January of 1992 and revised in June 2022.

As the largest youth sports organization in the city of Somerville, SYS provides the chance for youth ages 2-18 to participate in playing opportunities in three different programs:  Tykes (ages 2-3), In-Town (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade) and Travel (grades 3-11). In the spring of 2023, SYS had a record 1,341 registrants in the programs listed above.  Last year, 1-in-4 students in Somerville Public Schools were members of SYS.

SYS works tirelessly to provide any child who wishes to play in our programs with the opportunity to do so.  Our mission is to serve the youth of our city and represent a diverse community that includes families who speak four different languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole).  Through the generosity of our sponsors and partners across the city landscape, we weave a love for the game with a passion for our community.

This past year, over 250 volunteers served in various roles throughout the organization, including in coaching, leadership, and administrative positions.  SYS has expanded its outreach with a dedicated Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that communicates regularly with families throughout the city.

For more information, please visit our official website at www.somervillesoccer.org.

About DICK'S Sporting Goods

DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, Going Going Gone! and Warehouse Sale stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping .

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving, sustainability efforts and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.