Atlanta United Foundation Case Study

There are soccer programs in counties all over Georgia that need resources and funding in order to teach and foster the youth in its surrounding community. The Atlanta United Foundation (AUF) has a mission to expand the reach and accessibility of soccer for individuals across all counties in Georgia (Atlanta United Foundation, 2018). The problem that arises is which types of populations within the soccer communities in Georgia are most in need of financial assistance from an organization such as AUF in the implementation or modification of a soccer program. Therefore, I will research the question of how demographics such as race and income per county in Georgia correlate with participation in soccer in those counties in order to provide …show more content…
There is a direct relationship between the physical fitness of young individuals and their participation in organized, competitive sports. Specifically, the effects of participation and competition in sports programs for adolescents can be beneficial to their personal, physical, mental, and social development. (Caputo, Eveland-Sayers, Farley, Otto, & Renfrow, 2011). Additionally, poverty in one community can directly affect the overall health of that community. Research states that social environments and networks, such as soccer clubs, are related to the psychological and physiological health and well being of individuals within a community. However, communities facing inequality or poverty have to overcome additional obstacles in establishing productive social networks that lead to increased health (Arford & Dominguez, 2010). To compile and apply this research to the needs of organizations such as AUF, I will study counties in Georgia with the most participation in soccer programs that are also in dire need of financial support based on the demographics of those