Brock Elder is a big soccer guy. It kept him out of trouble as a kid, allowed him to travel the country and even got him into college. So, when the Anderson resident heard about an initiative by former professional soccer player Kyle Martino to bring greater sports opportunities to communities in need, he knew he wanted it for the Upstate.
A member of the Anderson chapter of the American Outlaw Group, an organization of soccer enthusiasts that supports men’s, women’s and youth national soccer teams wherever and whenever they take the field, Elder texted Martino to inquire about developing a local Over Under Initiative (OUI).
A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of children by increasing access to sports in urban neighborhoods, OUI has partnered with Goalpher, the developer of a subterranean goal system that converts basketball courts and other blacktops to multi-sport spaces where soccer, hockey and lacrosse also can be played.
Prior to COVID, OUI had plans to transform 20 basketball courts during 2020 in major markets such as Chicago and Dallas that have major league soccer teams, said Elder, a Dayton, Ohio native who attended college in Cincinnati and Cleveland.
“I had been reaching out to them to see if they would do something in the Upstate. They reached back out to me, and we started talking. I got with some people here in Anderson who branched out, then the County got involved and slowly but surely, this whole thing has evolved into what it is now.”
County of Anderson officials recommended Wellington Park in Anderson’s Homeland Park as the site for the Over Under Initiative, Elder said.
“We wanted to have this in a community where kids can ride their bikes or walk to it,” he said. “The County recommended Homeland Park and they just took it and ran with it.”
Anderson is one of the first cities in the country to partner with OUI, Elder said. To date, renovations at Wellington Park include a playground, baseball field with dugouts and a new multi-purpose sports court with Goalpher goals that come out of the ground, allowing children to play multiple sports on one surface. Anderson’s American Outlaw Group received $5,000 from AO Impact, the philanthropic arm of the American Outlaws, to help fund the Goalpher goals.
“There are a lot of groups that are not even connected to Anderson that are soccer groups that are donating money so we can bring in different types of athletic gear, and donating their time to come out here and organize some pickup games and make sure everyone is getting a chance to play and having fun,” Elder said.
Elder credits Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, Parks Department Manager Matt Schell, Homeland Park Community Watch and Anderson’s American Outlaws Group for making the OUI project happen in the Anderson.
“When we started the American Outlaw group, it was to do community service type work and build the game of soccer,” Elder said. “Giving back to kids and not just giving them soccer, but giving them other outlets like lacrosse, basketball and street hockey is a great opportunity. I just think sports is a great outlet. It helps kids build confidence, they get exercise, a lot of positive things come from it. Just to be able to do something in the town I live in means a lot.”
A launch party for the renovated Wellington Park is planned for March. Follow @aoandersonsc on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
The American Outlaws Anderson chapter meets at Growler Haus for most USA games. Those interested in joining are invited to attend USA vs. Canada on Sun., Jan. 30, at 3 p.m. at Magnetic South Brewery, 516 N Main St, Anderson, SC 29621. There will be a 50/50 raffle to raise money for the Westside High School soccer program. Donations also will be accepted. For more information, email aoanderson184@gmail.com.
Video courtesy of Anderson County Media Department.
