Our Story
The story of Kennedy Park Football Club began with the convergence of two men who shared a love for the sport of soccer. Jon Cross was two months sober after a hard-fought battle against drug addiction. Hany Ramadan had just recently settled in Portland after fleeing the chaotic events occurring in his home country of Sudan. Jon and Hany initially met during a speaking engagement at Deering High School, but their relationship truly began when they became teammates on the USM Men's soccer team.
After years of playing alongside one another, their love for the game led them to Los Angeles, where they encountered Venice Beach Football Club — a local organization that uses soccer to inspire community and give dreamers a platform to express themselves. Inspired, they returned to Portland and set out to create an organization that gives local players a supportive space to develop and enjoy the game, and thus KPFC was born.
Within the United States, access to soccer has become commoditized by clubs and leagues. This pay-to-play model has created economic and social barriers which limit playing opportunities to those who can afford them. A Duke University study found the average cost of one season of club soccer — the highest level of youth soccer available in Maine — ranges between $2,760–$11,810 per player.
Multiple studies have shown soccer to be a tool for social mobility, global mindedness, and community building. However, when access to play is restricted to only those who can afford it, these society-building aspects are eroded and reversed, reinforcing socioeconomic, cultural, and racial divisions.
Kennedy Park FC is a community organization with the mission of mitigating the challenges pay-to-play creates for the participation, development, and college recruitment of Maine's players — harnessing the social productivity of the game to improve individual and community outcomes.
KPFC seeks to provide cost-free opportunities, resources, and advice for those locked out of the pay-to-play system, and for players underserved by the state's existing clubs and leagues. Our commitment to protecting the game from commoditization drives all our programs.
"To create a constructive environment, empower aspiring prospects, and unite the community all through the universal language of the beautiful game."
Growing every season
In its first year, KPFC has grown to over 80 players across all programs and has successfully operated multiple services, hosted community events, and engaged in grant and public donation fundraising. The organization continues to expand its reach and programs to further mitigate the pay-to-play burden for players across Maine.