Latest news with #NationalSoccerDay
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Celebrating National Soccer Day With Henkel
Happy National Soccer Day! Today, July 28, is recognized across the United States as a celebration of the sport and its players, coaches, and fans. Henkel is an Official Sponsor of U.S. Soccer, and we are proud to celebrate alongside our partners. Henkel and U.S. Soccer share an aim to increase awareness and accessibility of the sport for underserved communities across the country, and both organizations work throughout the year towards achieving this goal. Kicking Off a Brighter Future: Empowering the Next Generations Henkel is a supporting partner of American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Clinics, which take place in multiple locations across the country throughout the year. Henkel employees will soon hear more about the opportunity to sign up and bring their children along to clinic sessions later this year. All participants will get first-hand experience with the benefits of youth sports, including better overall academic performance, lower stress levels, greater self-confidence, improved cognitive performance, and more creativity. It is important to equip the next generation with the tools they need to excel, and participation in youth sports such as soccer can be a big step in achieving this goal. The work being done to increase access for all young athletes in the world of sports is essential to ensuring a long and successful future of the sport and a next generation that is primed to succeed. Sarah Davis, National Business Manager, Henkel Consumer Brands, and her daughter Kenzie (pictured to the right) attended the U.S. Women's National Team match against Ireland in Cincinatti earlier this summer. Kenzie's dream is to one day play on the USWNT, and was excited to cheer them on to victory while spotting Henkel and its brands' logos around the stadium. Soccer for All: Building Stronger Communities U.S. Soccer also seeks to expand access to the sport and supercharge communities across the country through the Soccer Forward Foundation. The foundation hosts community spotlights and raises funds in pursuit of their mission to take soccer's power and the difference it can make to a whole new level of building healthier and more connected communities. Through their events, grants, and other resources, they aim to make soccer a force for good -- accessible to everyone in the U.S., everywhere in the U.S. Soccer is not only a super accessible activity, but also a source of many life lessons. It provides a basis for learning, encouraging kids to practice critical thinking, self-advocacy, and resiliency in an engaging, safe environment. And I've personally watched them grow from Kristopeit, Director of Sustainability and Climate Impact at Henkel Adhesive Technologies As we celebrate National Soccer Day, we are proud of the work being done through collaboration between Henkel and U.S. Soccer to build strong teams on the pitch and in the workplace. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Henkel
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
What is National Soccer Day, and why is it celebrated around the world?
Soccer means different things to different people. To some, it's a game played after school with friends. To others, it's the thrill of watching their team fight for a last-minute goal. However, one thing is universal: Soccer brings people together. That's exactly what National Soccer Day is about. Although not recognized as a global holiday, National Soccer Day is observed in many countries, with the US often marking it on July 28. It's not tied to a specific tournament or founding date. Instead, it's a reminder of just how deeply this sport runs through everyday life. History of soccer game You might think soccer began in England, but the truth is, people were kicking balls around centuries before that just in very different ways. Take ancient China, for example. They played something called cuju, which used a ball made of leather and feathers. It wasn't just for fun either. Soldiers used it for training, and even emperors were known to enjoy it. The game eventually found its way to Japan, where it turned into kemari, a gentler, more ceremonial version. Instead of trying to score goals, players would stand in a circle and keep the ball off the ground kind of like modern-day juggling. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Meanwhile, across the ocean, the Aztecs were playing a very different kind of ball game. Known as ollama, this one was intense, both physically and spiritually. The rubber ball (a material they were among the first to use) symbolized the sun, and matches weren't just games they were part of religious rituals. In some cases, the losing team's captain was even sacrificed. It's hard to imagine watching a match today with that kind of pressure. As for the game we now recognize as soccer, it started to take shape in England. In the beginning, things were pretty chaotic. People played in the streets, there were no standard rules, and things often got violent. There were two main styles, one resembling modern rugby, where players could use their hands and charge at each other, while the other focused more on kicking the ball. The violence got so out of hand that at one point, soccer was actually banned across the country. But bans don't last when people love something, and eventually, the game came back this time with structure. In 1863, clubs in London formed the first Football Association. That's when the official rules were written, and major decisions were made: no using hands, a standard size and weight for the ball, and a clear difference between soccer and rugby. Rugby kept the rougher play and hand contact. Soccer became about strategy, speed, and precision. From there, the sport took off. As the British traveled the world, they took soccer with them. What started in London's muddy fields eventually spread to every corner of the globe. And today, whether you call it soccer or football, its roots go deeper and wider than most people realize from emperors in ancient China to ritual games in Mesoamerica to the roaring stadiums of today. So, why do we celebrate it? Soccer doesn't ask much. You don't need expensive gear or fancy fields. A ball, a few people, and a bit of space are enough. For this reason, it has spread far and wide across cities, towns, and villages, rich and poor alike. Celebrating this day is about recognizing accessibility and what it gives back. Communities might mark the day with friendly matches. Schools host small games. Some wear jerseys to work or post about their favorite moments on social media. Others simply kick a ball around with their kids in the evening. For fans, it's a day to relive memories. The penalty shootouts that made them bite their nails. The underdog goals that made headlines. Or the first time they played on a field that wasn't just dirt and rocks. It's not just about victory. It's about passion, connection, and shared joy. Soccer has also taken on bigger roles. Women's teams are fighting for equal pay. Clubs speak out against racism and injustice. Fans organize food drives or community events around match days. The sport has evolved into something more than just ninety minutes on a pitch. It has become a platform for change, for unity, and for hope. And there's another reason to celebrate—it belongs to everyone. No matter where you're from, there's probably a version of soccer played near you. Even in places facing poverty or conflict, kids find ways to make goals out of sticks and balls out of rolled-up socks. The love for the game doesn't need much to survive. For many, the lessons soccer teaches matter as much as the game itself. Losing teaches resilience. Passing teaches trust. Being part of a team, even when you don't score, teaches humility. These are values that stick around long after the final whistle. So when National Soccer Day comes around, it isn't just about the professionals or those who made it big. It's for the dad who plays with his daughter in the park. The teen who watches every match on an old phone. The friends who haven't played in years but still argue over whose team is better. It's a celebration of a game that never really leaves you. No matter where life takes you, a ball rolling on a field still stirs something familiar. And maybe that's the real magic of soccer. It doesn't just connect players on the pitch. It connects people across languages, borders, and generations. So, whether you're playing, watching, or just remembering, National Soccer Day is a quiet reminder of how one simple game has touched billions of lives.
