World Cup Watch Party Drew Hundreds to Boys & Girls Club New Rochelle Event

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — More than 300 youth and families came to the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle for a World Cup Watch Party.

The event was conceived to bring the community together around soccer, family activities and the championship match. The gathering was hosted with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the New York Life Foundation.

The fun included soccer clinics, freestyle soccer play, games, art activities, esports and a viewing of the championship match. The activities were meant to encourage teamwork, physical activity and cultural appreciation while also introducing new families to the club and its year-round programs.

“The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle was thrilled to welcome and host our community, who clearly had a wonderful time and engaged in a fun shared experience in a safe, supportive, family-friendly environment,” Club Chief Program Officer Will Iannuzzi said. “The Watch Party also demonstrated the powerful lessons of teamwork, resilience and leadership through healthy competition, all helping create memories and foster friendships and understanding.”

The event was part of the New York Life Foundation's Coaching the Future initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Boys & Girls Clubs of America also donated foosball tables and FC 26 esports gaming equipment for year-round use by club members. Free soccer balls and slippers were donated as well, along with tacos from Tacos El Carrito of New Rochelle, pizza, snacks and beverages.

“This celebration is about bringing the community together and welcoming everyone into the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle,” Eric Osborne, Boys & Girls Club of America’s Senior Director, Sports & esports, said. “Thanks to partners like the New York Life Foundation, we're able to create meaningful experiences like today's Watch Party while continuing to invest in programs that help young people thrive.”

The fun included soccer clinics, freestyle soccer play, games, art activities, esports and a viewing of the championship match.

Robert D., 16, a counselor in training at the Mascaro Clubhouse, helped with the giveaway of 300 soccer balls and 100 pairs of slippers. A club member since age 5, he said the experience of handing out the items was inspiring.

“I’m surrounded by people who have helped me find myself,” he said. “I’m surrounded by ideas, and given that experience, it can help me narrow down what I’d like to do moving forward.”

Many young attendees wore “One World, One Future” T-shirts given to the first 100 people at the event, according to the announcement. Others wore Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle shirts and soccer jerseys representing countries they supported or their own heritage.

The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle said has served the community for 96 years and now reaches more than 12,100 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.