In Nashville, Soccer is For All.
That’s why Nashville SC partnered with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) to host a Paint the Pitch day at TIRRC’s new headquarters in Antioch last month. Club staff and volunteers painted a mural surrounding the club’s new community mini pitch, which will provide a much-needed recreation space for youth and families in the area.
The Paint the Pitch day of service was part of MLS WORKS Soccer For All initiative and the League’s commitment to supporting the communities where we live and play the game.
Over 30 community volunteers came together to help 10 local volunteer artists complete the vibrant mural. Sherwin Williams, the Official Paint of Nashville SC, generously provided the paint and supplies to create the mural.
The event was a chance for Nashvillians to come together and brighten what is going to be an uplifting space for years to come.
“Community is at the heart of everything that we do,” said Brandon Hill, Nashville SC Senior Director of Community Engagement. “TIRRC is an amazing organization that’s well known in our community for supporting the international community, and diversity is a really important thing for us. We want to support organizations that are supporting the Nashville community, and that’s why we’re here.”
The mural features flags from around the world, representing the countries of origin of TIRRC members. The message of the mural is an important one to Nashville SC’s values, and to what Nashville is as a city.
“Nashville is a growing city, and there’s so much new diversity in our community,” Hill said. “This particular mural has about 30 different flags, all representing community members who live in this neighborhood. It's really important to have the diversity of the community highlighted, and to have actual people who are part of the community have a role in making this mural what it is.”
For TIRRC, this partnership with Nashville SC is a way to give their members a sense of belonging in Nashville.
“Soccer is such an integral sport to our communities and our work and our organization together,” said Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus, TIRRC’s Executive Director. “We’re just so excited to have Nashville SC be a part of that work and help bring immigrants and refugees and their U.S.-born neighbors together to form stronger bonds and stronger relationships and make our community more united.”
Overall, the pitch and the mural signify the message that Nashville, Nashville SC and the game of soccer are for all.
“No matter what your race, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation is, soccer is here for everyone,” Hill said. “Our game is one that represents the entire world, and we want to show that inclusivity and that spirit of unity.”
May is Soccer for All Month in MLS. For more info on Nashville SC’s community initiatives, click here.
