Conversion of basketball surface to multi-sport court to provide local youth instant access to safe, easy-to-use goal posts to play multiple sports year round
SAN DIEGO (Feb. 8, 2023) – In partnership with the County of San Diego, San Diego Loyal SC and partner Psyonix, developers of Rocket League, along with non-profit Over Under Initiative (OUI) announced today the beginning of construction of retractable goal posts on the basketball court surface of National City’s Lincoln Acres Park. Using the patented Goalpher design technology, OUI’s conversion of Lincoln Acres Park’s basketball surface into a multi-sport court will give thousands of area youth instant access to safe, easy-to-use, street-style goal posts to play multiple sports year round.
A ribbon-cutting event to open the new goal posts will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 16.
“We are really fortunate to have a partner in Psyonix who shares our vision in bringing increased access to the sport of soccer to the San Diego community,” said Ricardo Campos, SD Loyal Club President. “With the combination of support and leadership from the County of San Diego and the vision and proven impact of Over Under Initiative, we look forward to seeing future generations of soccer players experience all the sport has to offer from Lincoln Acres Park.”
Lincoln Acres was selected by the County of San Diego because of the park’s urban location, in a neighborhood that has limited recreation opportunities for local youth. By transitioning the basketball court into a multi-sport court, youth will have more sport options, encouraging them to try different activities and spend more time outside.
“Increasing recreational opportunities for the residents of San Diego County is a top priority for me.” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “Partnerships like the one we are entering with Psyonix, SD Loyal and Over Under Initiative are crucial to bringing these opportunities and to expose youth to professional sports careers, green spaces and recreational areas where they can thrive.”
A non-profit organization founded in 2018 by former professional soccer player Kyle Martino, OUI’s mission is to improve the health and wellness of girls and boys through increased access to sport in urban neighborhoods. The organization has used Goalpher design technology, which brings lightweight, netted goal posts that rise from underground, in six under-resourced communities throughout the United States and will be making its first major impact in the state of California at Lincoln Acres Park.
“Over Under Initiative is grateful to be partnering with the San Diego Loyal whose dedication to making soccer accessible has driven this project forward,” said OUI founder Kyle Martino. “Lincoln Acres Park will be the first Over Under Initiative court in the state of California. It will serve a community that faces barriers to accessing soccer and sports as a whole. OUI looks forward to gifting the court to the community and to an ongoing partnership with the San Diego Loyal and the County of San Diego.”
SD Loyal official partner Psyonix, developer of Rocket League, a popular vehicular soccer video game, joined forces to provide funding for the project.
Further details will be released ahead of the March 16 ribbon cutting ceremony.
