Oakland Soccer Club Celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2024
Oakland Soccer Club (OSC) has been putting youth from our most underserved communities on fields throughout Oakland since 1974. Dianne and Roger Gee, the original owners of a small soccer store called Jade Soccer located on MacArthur Blvd founded OSC. The Gees provided the Oakland community with soccer gear and equipment for many decades and were a well known local institution. The club started as a volunteer parent-run community recreational organization. Parents would oversee children and facilitate play on empty grass fields using scrimmage vests, balls and cones.
Over the decades OSC has served numerous generations of players positively through providing access and inclusion to sport. OSC, along with its community, have endured through the well-documented and historical challenges that marginalized people of color have often faced in Oakland and throughout that history has remained steadfast in its service to the youth and families of our town. Oakland Soccer Club provides affordable, high-quality training and competitive opportunities for underserved youth in Oakland to develop skills for soccer, school and life.
Over the past many years, soccer (like many sports) has become privatized and monetized to such an extent to exclude many who live in low-income communities. Soccer has become a cash cow for many clubs with parents paying any amount to give their children an edge over other players.
OSC, however, has refused this model and works very diligently to keep operating costs at a bare minimum. We look for additional funds through grants, donations and sponsorships to help bridge the gap between what it costs us to operate and what families can afford. This is no easy task as funding is extremely difficult to come by with many organizations competing for the same funds.
Despite these economic challenges and obstacles, OSC continues to be a leader. We work with many of our families on food insecurity, social justice, behavioral health and many other issues.
Recently, the Club has incorporated both a Men’s and a Women’s team playing at the highest amateur levels as a beacon to inspire the youth of our club and provide a player development pathway.
Most importantly, the past few years we have survived going dark during Covid and have become an organization the entire community can come together and support.
Look out for some limited edition 50th anniversary gear and local community events to celebrate this milestone in the coming months.
Over the decades OSC has served numerous generations of players positively through providing access and inclusion to sport. OSC, along with its community, have endured through the well-documented and historical challenges that marginalized people of color have often faced in Oakland and throughout that history has remained steadfast in its service to the youth and families of our town. Oakland Soccer Club provides affordable, high-quality training and competitive opportunities for underserved youth in Oakland to develop skills for soccer, school and life.
Over the past many years, soccer (like many sports) has become privatized and monetized to such an extent to exclude many who live in low-income communities. Soccer has become a cash cow for many clubs with parents paying any amount to give their children an edge over other players.
OSC, however, has refused this model and works very diligently to keep operating costs at a bare minimum. We look for additional funds through grants, donations and sponsorships to help bridge the gap between what it costs us to operate and what families can afford. This is no easy task as funding is extremely difficult to come by with many organizations competing for the same funds.
Despite these economic challenges and obstacles, OSC continues to be a leader. We work with many of our families on food insecurity, social justice, behavioral health and many other issues.
Recently, the Club has incorporated both a Men’s and a Women’s team playing at the highest amateur levels as a beacon to inspire the youth of our club and provide a player development pathway.
Most importantly, the past few years we have survived going dark during Covid and have become an organization the entire community can come together and support.
Look out for some limited edition 50th anniversary gear and local community events to celebrate this milestone in the coming months.
About Oakland Soccer Club: Since 1974 Oakland Soccer Club has provided affordable, high-quality opportunities for underserved youth in Oakland to develop skills for soccer, school, and life. Our goal is to remove the pay-to-play barriers restricting the youth of Oakland from participation in soccer and developing to their highest level.
Check out our website at www.oaklandsoccer.org and give us a follow on social media to see more club announcements including ways you can get involved as a player, coach, or volunteer.
Check out our website at www.oaklandsoccer.org and give us a follow on social media to see more club announcements including ways you can get involved as a player, coach, or volunteer.