As part of the “One Club, One Love” campaign, the USL Championship's Charlotte Independence and its youth organization Charlotte Independence Soccer Club staff have teamed up with local non-profit organizations, club corporate partners and first-team players to provide free community clinics over the next 12 months.

To help areas of the community that are underserved and economically challenged, especially in the face of the pandemic, each community clinic will be paired with one of three non-profit organizations: Heal Charlotte and One7 Ministries. The goals of the clinics are to reach kids between ages 6 and 12, with a positive message about physical fitness, nutrition and values learned through sports. The other goal of the clinics is to drive awareness of and donations to the three non-profit organizations that serve the greater Charlotte region.

"One Club, One Love is about positively impacting and influencing children and serving our community," said Independence Soccer Club CEO Thomas Finlay. "The Independence Soccer Club is excited to be able to mobilize our staff and touch the lives of many young people. We know that sports can positively impact a child’s life, and that is one of our goals."

To support and emphasize the work that Independence defender Hugh Roberts, goalkeeper Brandon Miller and defender Shalom Dutey have accomplished off the field, the Independence and Independence Soccer Club have organized the clinics with the guidance of each player and their community service efforts.

"As professional athletes, we have a platform to reach, educate and impact young lives," said Roberts. "We are excited to join the first team front office and the youth club to go into areas of need and make a lasting impression in hundreds of kids’ lives and to drive donations to these terrific non-profits in the greater Charlotte region."

The Independence have also teamed up with four of their corporate partners: Famous Toastery, Chick-fil-A, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Novant Health. Famous Toastery and Chick-fil-A each will provide nutritious lunches for the participants. Dick’s Sporting Goods has donated soccer equipment to be used for each clinic and Novant Health will be providing masks and additional health resources to every child. 

"We’re thrilled to bring all of these terrific organizations together and bring this to the greater Charlotte region," said Independence Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer Tim Schuldt. "With our youth club, our first team players and our corporate partners, we will deliver 18 to 24 clinics in the next year, to impact many young lives in our community. We're excited that our players will be partnering with us to make a special impression on these kids and impact these amazing non-profit organizations in our communities."