Hollywood United, South Bay Force and Project Play Charity Event – August 15th

(Manhattan Beach, Calif – August 7, 2009) -  Hollywood United Football Club - thinking globally, acting locally – will be out in force for a charity fundraising event on August 15^th at Manhattan Beach’s Mira Costa High School stadium.  HUFC is partnering with South Bay Force Soccer in conjunction with Project Play Africa to host a fun-filled day featuring a youth soccer tournament and soccer clinic culminating with a Hollywood United Celebrity Match.   The proceeds from the event will benefit Project Play Africa, a grassroots non-profit organization that delivers soccer balls to impoverished nations of Africa and to South Bay Force Youth Scholarship Program.   

 The festivities begin at 9:00am with youth (U12 – U18) challenge matches that will continue throughout the day with merchandise sales, a silent auction and booths and representation from LA Galaxy, Chivas USA, Del Sol, Adidas and players from the local universities. .   At 6:00pm there will be a youth soccer clinic (U5 – U12).  The Hollywood United Hitmen a P.D.L (Pro team) will take on South Bay Force’s U19 Premiere at 4:30pm.  Finally at 7:30pm, Hollywood United celebrity squad will take the field for star-studded matches.    

HUFC lineup as of today is expected to include Danny Cannon (Producer CSI), Gilles Marini (Dancing with the Stars, Sex and the City), Alexi Lalas (US National Team- AC Milan), Nick Hollender (Green St. Hooligans), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Skeet Ulrich (Jericho), Nuno Bettancourt (Extreme) and many more.     

Kevin Eagleston, the Hollywood United player who initiated the “Think global, Act local” concept was inspired by fellow Chico State University soccer alums and co-founders of Project Play Africa’s mission to make a difference in the lives of children in Africa through the sport of soccer.   Kevin says, “I wanted to get involved to raise funds and build awareness for Project Play.  A soccer ball can clearly make a significant impact for children in Africa with a little money and coordination, but in tough times like these, I feel we need to do the same here in our own neighborhoods, hence, our partnership with both Project Play and South Bay Force Soccer.”   The proceeds raised from the event will ensure that youth have access to soccer here and abroad.    

Project Play Africa (www.projectplayafrica.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching and improving the lives of children in African nations through the sport of soccer.  Delivering soccer balls to rural villages, organizations and schools, they create the opportunities to teach skills such as confidence, leadership and discipline while promoting youth development and community involvement.