Gov. Kathy Hochul is betting big that kids will trade screen time for soccer time, rolling out a $6 million statewide push to build and upgrade fields and bankroll youth programs, with the splashy launch coming at a community game in Brooklyn.
The plan, dubbed NY Kicks, pairs $5 million in capital grants for new and improved soccer pitches with $1 million for the basics that actually get kids on the field: uniforms, equipment and coaching.
What NY Kicks Will Fund
NY Kicks, described as a World Cup Legacy Investment Fund, is designed to create, expand and improve community soccer fields across New York while also backing youth programming and gear. According to Governor Kathy Hochul's office, the capital grants are aimed at municipalities, public authorities and nonprofit groups and can support permanent field infrastructure along with necessary utilities.
How The Grants Will Be Distributed
Awards will range from $75,000 to $200,000 and can cover up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with priority for severely or moderately distressed communities. “By investing in soccer infrastructure we are making it easier for them to play the beautiful game,” the governor’s office said. The capital program will be administered through Empire State Development and will run through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application.
Pitchside Rollout In Brooklyn
Hochul announced the initiative while visiting teams competing at Community School District 15 in Brooklyn, tying the launch to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and her Get Offline, Get Outside push to nudge kids away from screens and into parks. As reported by CBS New York, she said children learn “the thrill of victory” and how to handle defeat on the field, lessons she framed as essential life skills.
Coaches And Community Reaction
For local coaches, the funding is about more than fresh grass and new goals. Pronoy Nath, a 21-year-old community coach, told CBS New York that “without access to the sport I love, I may have never become a community coach.” The companion $1 million programming pot is earmarked for uniforms, shin guards, soccer balls and coaches, so neighborhood organizations can trim participation costs that often keep kids on the sidelines.
How Communities Can Apply
The capital grants will be administered through Empire State Development and awarded via the state's Consolidated Funding Application. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public authorities and nonprofit organizations. Empire State Development says guidelines and additional application details will be posted on its website and shared through regional council channels.
Why It Matters
Recent research shows that in many dense urban areas, demand for youth soccer far outpaces the supply of playable fields, creating “soccer deserts” where kids who want to play have nowhere local to lace up. The Aspen Institute’s Project Play report mapped those demand gaps in the NYC and North Jersey region and highlighted cost and facility barriers that NY Kicks is intended to help address.
