For the first time, Futsal in Harlem.

July 15, 2009 - PRLog -- PRESS ADVISORY
WHAT: THE PREMIER HARLEM CUP, a youth exhibition soccer match on the first “futsal
pitch” or mini soccer field in Harlem

WHEN: Saturday, July 18th 2009, NOON-5 PM

WHERE: Courtyard of the historic Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building at 163 W. 125th St. & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. (Seventh Av.)

CONTACT: Andy Humm at Bill Lynch Associates on 917-972-9600

BACKGROUND ON THE HARLEM CUP
Concrete2Green, the country’s premiere urban soccer company, has partnered with Bill Lynch Associates, the Harlem-based consulting firm, to bring you the first annual Harlem Cup, a youth soccer exhibition match to celebrate Harlem’s own FC HARLEM, which has run Harlem Youth Soccer since 1990, as well to highlight the value and appeal of soccer, “the world’s game,” in urban culture.

For the first time, a “futsal pitch” or mini soccer field will be laid down in the Mecca of urban
culture, Harlem, USA, courtesy of Concrete2Green and SnapSports. It will be an afternoon full of community, culture and creative expression. This event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a youth clinic, street soccer 4 v. 4 matches, freestyle exhibitions, art and music.

“FC HARLEM is excited to have Bill Lynch Associates and Concrete2Green help us raise the awareness that soccer is here and thriving in Harlem,” said Irvine Smalls, Executive Director of FC HARLEM. “We hope that we can raise the remaining funds for our field project and make this field a permanent part of the Harlem community.”

Founded in 1990 by Dwight and Iris Raiford and Glen Daley, FC HARLEM began as the
Harlem Junior Soccer Association, a community-based non-profit organization offering
recreational soccer play and competitive travel teams to youth ages 5 to 19. Daley and the
Raifords set out to create a space in Harlem and the South Bronx, which are challenging but culturally rich neighborhoods, where local young people could participate in soccer, “the world’s game.”

FC HARLEM has continued to grow, serving over 500 young people through its programs,
attracting media attention, celebrity-hosted soccer clinics and praise from the local communities it serves. In the midst of the acclaim, Executive Director Irv Smalls has pledged to continue addressing the holistic development of those young people most in need by providing them with the values and skills needed to be successful contributors to society and role models in their communities, or L.I.O.N.S. (Leaders In Our Neighborhoods).

FC HARLEM’s goal is to raise $600,000 to complete a first of its kind mini-soccer field
complex to be used for curricula focusing on futsal, or street soccer. The futsal fields, slated for construction in Harlem’s Riverside Park under the West Side Highway, should be completed by the Fall of 2009.

“We are honored to be a part of such an historic event in such a historic place," said Akbar
Majeed, President and Co-Founder of Concrete2Green.

Bill Lynch, founder and CEO of Bill Lynch Associates, said, “FC HARLEM is doing a
wonderful job enhancing the lives and aspirations of our young people and connecting them to activities such as soccer that are a big part of the world outside of Harlem.”
For information about partnering or sponsorship opportunities please call Stacy Lynch or
William Lynch III at 212-283-7515

ABOUT Concrete2Green
Concrete2Green (C2G), the premier socially conscious urban soccer company that uses
innovative and eco-friendly strategies to grow the sport of soccer in inner cities and under-served communities in the United States. For more information, go to www.concrete2green.com

ABOUT BILL LYNCH ASSOCIATES
Founded in 1999, Bill Lynch Associates, LLC (BLA) uses the experience and knowledge of its diverse staff to consult with individuals and organizations in the corporate, political, labor and nonprofit communities. BLA works in partnership with its clients to achieve results that are in harmony with their aspirations and guiding principles by using strategies that enhance their capacities to meet their objectives and goals. For more information, go to www.bill-lynch.com

ABOUT FC HARLEM
FC HARLEM is a 501(c)3 non-profit youth-service organization based in Harlem, USA. FC
HARLEM programs are guided by the philosophy that all young people need the fundamental and foundational support of their families and community for their personal development. Through responsible instruction, FC HARLEM challenges and encourages our youth through team sports, primarily soccer, to be persons of upstanding moral character who seek to achieve their highest potential academically and athletically, treating all persons with respect. For more
information, go to www.fcharlemlions.org