An initiative led by three Stockton natives instills the importance of community leadership into local high school students. Through two annual weekend events and a fellowship program offering academic scholarships, the SJSA offers teens residing in the San Joaquin County the opportunity to showcase their talents and acquire funds for higher education.
The founders of SJSA, brothers Eric and Will Martin and long-time friend Dave Wardell, developed the program because of their love for soccer and the opportunity they saw to inspire youth in their community.
“Each of us grew up playing soccer in the community and were able to leverage it to travel the world, earn advanced degrees, and position ourselves professionally right where we want to be,” said Eric Martin. “Starting the SJSA was the most fitting way for us to open the same doors for those following in our footsteps.”
Each event, one dedicated to the top boys’ soccer players and another to the girls’, includes around 40 high school soccer players from San Joaquin County. Over the weekend, the students participate in a training session, motivational and educational speeches from local college coaches and university representatives, and then square off in an all-star game.
The San Joaquin communities have rallied behind the SJSA, providing a combination of corporate and individual donations, which are all applied to event costs. All funding and costs are vetted through the SJSA’s non-profit partner, the SJCOE Educational Foundation. To date, the SJSA has distributed almost two thousand dollars in academic scholarships to six different event participants.
The SJSA’s next showcase event will take place for the county’s top girls high school soccer players on June 8-9 at Lincoln High School. For information on how to get involved or to apply to the SJSA, visit sjsalliance.org.