Six teens from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta will walk onto the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Flag Bearers for the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 at Atlanta Stadium on July 7.
The teens were selected for the honor based on their participation in Coca-Cola FC (Future Careers) Academy, a digital learning program that introduces young people to career paths in sports marketing, media, sponsorships, and other creative industries tied to the soccer world.
A career pipeline
FC Academy is built around modules led by professionals from Coca-Cola and the broader sports industry. Teens work through the coursework to build skills, earn digital certifications and connect with job opportunities in sports and entertainment.
The program is part of a larger partnership between the Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America aimed at giving Club members around the country a foothold in the sports industry workforce.
“This opportunity is about more than walking onto a soccer field,” Libby Saylor Wright, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, said. “It’s about creating unforgettable memories and experiences that show teens how their passions can open doors to exploring careers they never thought were possible.”
Long-running partnership
The Flag Bearer program lands during the 80th year of partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Coca-Cola Company, a relationship that has expanded over the decades from local sponsorships into national workforce development initiatives.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta operates 26 Clubs across nine metro counties, serving more than 8,000 youth ages 6 to 18 each year, according to the organization. The Clubs run programming during out-of-school hours focused on academics, healthy lifestyles, and leadership development.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, whose national headquarters is based in Atlanta, has more than 5,500 Clubs nationwide serving over four million young people through membership and community outreach, including sites on military installations and Native lands.
