Playing it Forward: Prep Grads Give Back
September 11th, 2024
Two former Prep students, Blane and Devin McElroy, have made it a tradition to return to Prep and host a soccer camp while on summer break. For the second year in a row, they’ve run the camp to raise money for the Soccer Foundation of Charlotte, a cause close to their hearts.
During the camp, Blane and Devin work with students to develop their soccer skills like shooting, passing, and dribbling. They also teach advanced techniques, such as the rainbow flick, scissors move, Brazilian toe tap, and more. This hands-on training helps young players enhance their abilities while having fun.
The Soccer Foundation of Charlotte provides soccer opportunities for children in underserved communities. Each year, Blane and Devin donate all the proceeds from their camp to this impactful non-profit. This year, they raised an impressive $4,150!
Through the Soccer Foundation of Charlotte, children participate in free after-school soccer programming with an emphasis on literacy. The program also provides soccer balls and books to these children, creating a holistic development experience.
Blane shared the sisters' motivation:
“We’re always looking for ways to give back to our community through the game we love, and we feel a strong connection to the Soccer Foundation of Charlotte. We have been fortunate enough to grow up playing soccer and want others to have that same opportunity. What better way to raise money for such a worthy cause than by also sharing this love and mentoring students in the Charlotte Prep community that gave us so much?”
In addition to the funds raised through the camp, Blane donated $11,000 more to Soccer FC, which she received for being Gatorade's Player of the Year for North Carolina and one of only 12 awardees of their Play It Forward Spotlight Grant.
Blane and Devin McElroy attend high school at Providence Day School, where they play on the varsity soccer team and for Charlotte Soccer Academy. Blane (Prep class of '21) has committed to play soccer for NC State University in the fall of 2025. We are incredibly proud of these Tigers for using their talents to give back to the community.
If you're interested in learning more about the soccer camp, please contact our athletic director Coach Shelley.
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