Groups seek available spaces to build soccer mini-pitches across Triangle

Over the next two years, the Triangle is set to get five soccer mini-pitches for free play and pick-up soccer thanks to NCFC Youth, North Carolina Football Club and The Bucy Foundation.

“We know that access to fields is one of the biggest barriers to playing soccer. Space that does exist is a commodity and is often limited due to geographic access, field rentals, public use restrictions, and programming – including our own,” said Gary Buete, CEO of NCFC Youth, in a press release. “By offering an open space with few restrictions, we want to offer families a safe and accessible place to play, and as a byproduct, we hope these fields attract kids to the game who would otherwise not have the opportunity to play.”

Mini-pitches are small hard court fields that are about the size of a basketball court that can help make soccer more accessible. According to the press release, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has installed more than 300 mini-pitches across the country and plans to build a total of 1,000 by 2026.

“Our goal is to create a space that brings people together and, through play, provides a safe space for young people to develop important life skills,” said Ashlie Bucy, director of the Bucy Foundation, which supports efforts that help young people in North Carolina.

Right now, the groups are looking for community partners to help identify areas with limited access to safe playing spaces or where there are existing, high traffic venues that already attract a diverse population, according to the release.

People can suggest potential spots for the mini-pitches through NCFC Youth's website. The hard court surfaces, according to the website, often are on current concrete or asphalt surfaces such as parking lots or underutilized courts and are accessible year-round to the public.