Press Release: Leveling the Playing Field Partners with GSSA to Grow the Game of Soccer!
ATLANTA, GA (December 9, 2025): Georgia State Soccer Association (GSSA) is excited to partner with Leveling the Playing Field (LPF), a national nonprofit that expands access to youth sports and recreation by collecting and redistributing new and gently used sports equipment to programs serving kids and communities in need. Together, GSSA and LPF aim to further grow the game of soccer across Georgia and ensure that cost is never a barrier to participation.
Founded in 2013, LPF was created in response to the widening gap between families who can afford the rising costs of youth sports participation and those who cannot. Recognizing the significant role equipment expenses play in limiting access, LPF developed a sustainable model that functions like a sports-equipment bank—collecting quality gear that would otherwise go unused and distributing it to organizations and schools that need it most. Today, LPF operates multiple donation centers and has provided millions of dollars’ worth of equipment to programs across the country.
As part of this collaboration, GSSA will coordinate and facilitate equipment drives at upcoming ODP and State Cup events throughout December and into 2026, encouraging members, clubs, and community partners to donate new and gently used soccer gear. LPF will then distribute the collected equipment to soccer programs across Georgia and work with GSSA to identify opportunities where additional resources, support, and services can further strengthen access to the sport.
GSSA’s Executive Director James Walker said, “We are honored to work with LPF in providing opportunities to get even more children playing the beautiful game of soccer in Georgia. There are a lot of great things happening in our state, as we continue to grow the game in all communities across Georgia.”
Technical Director/ODP Director Kostas Hatzikoutelis added, “We look forward to further supporting underserved communities with our great families within GSSA, as we continue to lead the development and expansion of the game. Needed equipment and support is just the start, as we will be providing coaching education tools as part of this effort.”
LPF Chief Operating Officer Kaitlin Brennan shared, “LPF is thrilled to collaborate with GSSA to expand access to soccer throughout Georgia. By connecting families and community programs with the equipment they need, we can ensure that more children have the opportunity to play, grow, and thrive in the sport.”
Contact:
James Walker, jwalker@georgiasoccer.org / Kostas Hatzikoutelis, director@georgiasoccer.org
Kaitlin Brennan, kaitlin@levelingtheplayingfield.org / Avery Floyd avery@levelingtheplayingfield.org
About GSSA:
GSSA is a member of the US Soccer Federation as a National State Association affiliated with US Youth Soccer. GSSA serves as the primary advocate for youth and adult soccer in the state of Georgia while being dedicated to offering the highest quality soccer education, player development, and programs that foster sportsmanship, fitness, diversity, teamwork, and passion for the game. Learn more at georgiasoccer.org and on Facebook @ Georgia Soccer and Instagram @ georgiasoccer and X @ georgiasoccer
About Leveling the Playing Field:
Leveling the Playing Field is a non-profit organization which collects and re-distributes sports equipment to kids in under-resourced communities. The organization currently operates in seven cities: Greater Washington D.C., Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Buffalo, NY, Columbus, OH, Detroit, MI, and Atlanta, GA. Leveling the Playing Field has donated over $22 million in sports equipment to schools, youth teams and leagues, and other non-profit organizations since 2013. Learn more about LPF at www.levelingtheplayingfield.org or following us @LPFsports and @LPFatlanta
