Soccer for unaccompanied youth
Soccer Without Borders
Summary
An in-depth dissertation by Dr. Eric Cortez examining sport-based youth development (SBYD) through the lens of soccer programs. Using qualitative case study methods, it explores how soccer can be intentionally designed to promote positive youth outcomes, including social-emotional growth, academic motivation, and community belonging particularly among unaccompanied immigrant youth.
HOW AND WHEN IT CAN HELP
- Useful for researchers and graduate students exploring sport-based youth development theory and practice
- Helps nonprofit leaders and program directors strengthen evaluation and design of soccer programs
- Provides evidence for funders and policymakers on the role of soccer in advancing equity and youth development
- Valuable for coaches and educators seeking frameworks to integrate sport with SEL and academic goals
- A resource for organizations wanting to compare their practice against SBYD best practices documented in the field
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
It connects academic rigor with practical application. The dissertation situates soccer within the broader youth development literature while grounding insights in real-world program contexts. It highlights both successes and challenges, offering a nuanced view of how soccer can serve as a vehicle for youth development.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING THIS RESOURCE
- How closely does your program align with established SBYD frameworks and outcomes?
- What intentional strategies are you using to integrate life skills, SEL, or academics into soccer sessions?
- How might you evaluate your program—qualitatively and quantitatively—to show impact?
- What barriers (structural, cultural, financial) could limit the full potential of soccer-based youth development in your community?
- How can you strengthen partnerships between soccer programs, schools, and families to maximize outcomes?
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
This dissertation was approved by the University of the Pacific as part of the doctoral degree of Dr Eric Cortez, Practitioner and Evaluation Specialist at Soccer Without Borders.
Soccer Without Borders (SWB) believes in the power of soccer, the world's universal language, to create positive change for individuals, families, communities, and the world. SWB’s mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. SWB programs are designed for young people to develop agency, a sense of belonging, and the skills to contribute, building social capital and strengthening positive identity development. To learn more visit soccerwithoutborders.org.
CREDITING CONTRIBUTORS
The Resource Hub is made possible by the generosity of contributors. It demonstrates the rich expertise and collective team spirit that exists across our soccer community.
All resources that have been contributed to the Resource Hub are free for users of the Hub to learn from, adapt and implement in their own organization and community.
Where relevant, we encourage users of the resources to formally or informally credit the resource creator, to acknowledge their expertise and generosity.