Pitch It
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A pitch can be a platform to create opportunities for everyone to thrive in and around the game. That’s why the USL and Women in Soccer are hosting our second PITCH IT contest to invest in current (and future!) game-changers. Entrepreneurs, grassroots organizations, and activists from (or representing) marginalized groups: we want to hear YOUR plans to use the beautiful game for social impact. Get on the pitch and take a shot at securing funds to develop your goals!
Pitch It Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Pitch It Contest
Qualifications
The following qualifications must be met before applying to the Pitch It contest:
- Your vision or organization’s purpose uses soccer as a medium/tool to advance equity in the game and/or women in soccer
- Your organization has a 501(c)3, sole proprietorship, LLC or any other legal business status in the US (if you are in the process of obtaining this status at the time of the contest and are selected as a winner, you have one fiscal year starting January 2023 to claim your prize)
- You are someone from a historically underserved or underrepresented community or your company’s mission is to support historically underserved or underrepresented communities
- You are based in the United States or your organization is based in the United States
- You are over 18 years of age
- You are currently a Women in Soccer Member
- If you are not already, you can become one in order to participate in the contest: womeninsoccer.org/join-us/
WHAT YOU ARE PITCHING FOR
First Place
$4,500 to be used to help start or grow your sports-related business.
1 Financial Times complimentary pass to Business of Sport 2023
1-hour consultation from a trailblazing founder, Ida Sports
Kickoff Coffee Co. merchandise pack
Talisman Cap USA complimentary cap/merch of their choosing
Second Place
$3,000 to be used to help start or grow your sports-related business.
Kickoff Coffee Co. “Brace” of coffee bags
Talisman Cap USA complimentary cap/merch of their choosing
Third - Tenth Place
Kickoff Coffee Co. 12 oz bag of our Matchday Roast.
Talisman Cap USA complimentary cap/merch of their choosing
HOW THE PITCH CONTEST WILL WORK
MEET THE JUDGES:
Edreece Arghandiwal (He/Him)
Cofounder and Chief Marketing Officer, Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul
Edreece Arghandiwal is a first generation Afghan-American born in Oakland, CA. He is a co-founder of Oakland Roots Sports Club, and currently serves as the club’s Chief Marketing Officer. Edreece is a creative entrepreneur fueled by design and purpose. Past experiences include building brands and experiences for top organizations in the sports and entertainment industries. Edreece is a graduate of Babson College’s Master of Business Administration - Entrepreneurship program and the University of California, Davis.
Icy Jones (He/Him/His)
Executive Director, America SCORE
Icy Kenneth Jones is the national Executive Director of America SCORES, which operates free soccer leagues and after school programs for over 10,000 students in under-resourced communities across the United States and Canada. Through a unique mix of soccer and poetry they inspire their poet-athletes to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world.
Icy is a former educator who has devoted his career to advancing equity and creating opportunities for BIPOC children. He has built and scaled youth development programs across the U.S. and abroad. Icy has held leadership roles in numerous education, nonprofit, and government agencies. Most recently, he served as the Director of Policy for the Maryland Department of Human Services Social Services Administration, where he helped protect vulnerable children from abuse while empowering families to stay together, reunite, heal and thrive.
Icy is a former educator who has devoted his career to advancing equity and creating opportunities for BIPOC children. He has built and scaled youth development programs across the U.S. and abroad. Icy has held leadership roles in numerous education, nonprofit, and government agencies. Most recently, he served as the Director of Policy for the Maryland Department of Human Services Social Services Administration, where he helped protect vulnerable children from abuse while empowering families to stay together, reunite, heal and thrive.
Jasmine Cockfield
Director, Corporate Citizenship at Shift4
Jasmine Cockfield is Director, Corporate Citizenship at Shift4 and is a native of New Orleans, LA. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Jackson State University. She received her Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Rutgers University.
Jasmine has over 10 years of Corporate Social Responsibility and Non-Profit Management experience with numerous organizations ranging from the YMCA to the National Basketball Association.
She is an active member of the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta, Rutgers Alumni Association Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and recently made a goal to visit every US state. Her motto in life is “To whom much is given, much is required.” Jasmine is married to Samuel Cockfield and they reside in the Mableton area of Atlanta, GA.
Jasmine has over 10 years of Corporate Social Responsibility and Non-Profit Management experience with numerous organizations ranging from the YMCA to the National Basketball Association.
She is an active member of the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta, Rutgers Alumni Association Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and recently made a goal to visit every US state. Her motto in life is “To whom much is given, much is required.” Jasmine is married to Samuel Cockfield and they reside in the Mableton area of Atlanta, GA.
Lisa Wrightsman (She/Hers)
Street Soccer USA Managing Director and Founder of Sacramento Chapter
Lisa Wrightsman is Street Soccer USA’s managing director and the founder of Street Soccer USA’s Sacramento Chapter. Located in cities across the country, Street Soccer USA uses sports to connect homeless young people and adults to jobs and education opportunities that will help them thrive. Lisa Wrightsman is also a former semi-professional footballer.
Sarah Dwyer-Shick (She/Hers)
Founder of The Sports Bra Project
A soccer coach & advocate for sports accessibility for all, Sarah spent 15+ years coaching NCAA & NJCAA soccer and more than 20 working with youth programs from the reactional to elite levels. Committed to increasing opportunities and access to sports for girls and women, Sarah founded The Sports Bra Project. A 501(c)3 nonprofit that coordinates nationwide drives and provides new sports bras to programs working in areas where the lack of this piece of equipment can make sports inaccessible.