Kira Pritchard and Jon Solomon - The Future of Soccer

<p>Kira Pritchard and Jon Solomon are leading voices in youth sports development and access, working to create healthier, more equitable pathways for young athletes through research, philanthropy, and community impact. Together, they recently collaborated on the State of Soccer in New York City &amp; North Jersey report, an in-depth examination of the opportunities, challenges, and future of youth soccer in one of the most influential regions in the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.</p><p>Kira Pritchard serves as Program Director at the Lori and Martin Tisch Illumination Fund, a New York City-based philanthropic organization focused on expanding access and opportunity through arts, education, health, and youth development initiatives. She leads the Fund&#39;s Play to Thrive initiative, a $10 million multi-year effort designed to leverage youth sports as a vehicle for mental health, well-being, and community connection. Through partnerships with organizations such as Gotham FC, Street Soccer USA, South Bronx United, and City Parks Foundation, Kira works to increase access to quality sports experiences and address barriers facing young athletes, particularly girls and underserved communities.</p><p>Jon Solomon is the Editorial Director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports &amp; Society Program and Project Play initiative, where he helps lead national efforts to increase youth sports participation and improve the quality of sports experiences for children across the United States. Through Project Play, Jon works alongside leagues, governing bodies, brands, municipalities, and community organizations to create more accessible, affordable, and youth-centered sports systems. His work includes research on youth participation trends, coaching development, athlete well-being, and the growing challenges surrounding the commercialization of youth sports.</p><p>Chapters:</p><p>01:10 The Lori Tisch Illumination Fund and Youth Sports</p><p>04:22 Research Insights on Youth Soccer Participation</p><p>07:55 Bridging Theory to Practice in Youth Sports</p><p>11:48 Commercialization and Corporate Partnerships in Youth Sports</p><p>14:18 Steering the Future of Youth Sports</p><p>18:25 Local Champions and Community Engagement</p><p>21:10 Leveraging Digital Communities for Youth Engagement</p><p>24:20 The World Cup Opportunity for Youth Soccer</p><p>28:05 The Future of Youth Sports Development</p><p>31:29 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts</p><p><br></p>