Interested in participating in the program? Please complete the application below.
The Chicago Fire Foundation P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program, Presented by Meridian, is committed to enhancing the academic performance and development of key social and emotional (SEL) skills of elementary school students through a sports based curriculum.
The P.L.A.Y.S. Program not only teaches soccer skills, but also explicitly teaches SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) traits and values such as emotional control, goal setting and attainment, cooperation and respect and communication and teamwork. These SEL traits are tied to academic success and are used with sport training to improve the physical well-being and academic capabilities of the students. It is our belief that by teaching these values within the structure of an athletic activity, that students will learn and adopt these values, transfer them from the athletic field to the classroom and thereby improve both their behavior as well as their academic outcomes.
Since its inception in 2013, the P.L.A.Y.S. program has provided over 335,856 hours of soccer to third through fifth-grade boys and girls. In 2025, P.L.A.Y.S. will continue supporting 60 Chicago Public Schools, reaching nearly 1,440 young participants. To inquire about P.L.A.Y.S., please email Program Manager Tim Mack at tmack@chicagofirefc.com.
Things to know before you apply:
- Must be located in Chicago, IL
- The program is for youth in grades 3rd-5th grade only
- Programming takes place in the spring (March-June)
- Once you apply, we will reach out to you with next steps
