Soccer Shots: The Beginning
Soccer Shots began with a simple yet powerful vision: to positively impact children’s lives through the game of soccer. Co-founded by college and professional soccer teammates Jeremy Sorzano and Jason Webb, the program was born out of their entrepreneurial spirit, love of soccer, and passion for inspiring children to live healthy, active lives. Recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under age 8, they created their own program to fill the gap and provide young players with trained coaches and a fun, engaging introduction to the sport.
The first programs launched in Charlotte, NC, and Harrisburg, PA, where they taught foundational soccer skills to young children in schools – skills often overlooked by volunteer-run community programs. For the first five years, Jeremy and Jason ran the programs themselves, offering sessions exclusively in schools and childcare centers. However, as demand grew, they expanded to public programming within the community for children who wanted to continue beyond the school setting.
In 2005, Soccer Shots began franchising with four locations in Ohio, Delaware, Florida, and Pennsylvania. This growth happened naturally, driven by friends and former teammates who believed in the program and wanted to bring it to their communities. Among them was Justin Bredeman, a former college soccer teammate and one of the first franchisees. In 2009, Justin became the third Soccer Shots partner, bringing years of franchising experience from Auntie Anne’s LLC., along with five years of operating a Soccer Shots business. His expertise proved invaluable in taking Soccer Shots to the next level.
By 2010, Soccer Shots had grown to include its first two part-time staff members, first official office space, and approximately 40 franchises. These early milestones were pivotal in laying the foundation for what Soccer Shots is today: a thriving community and a trailblazer in youth enrichment, serving children year-round across the U.S. and Canada.
Soccer Shots Now
Today, Soccer Shots continues to thrive. With Soccer Shots sessions available across North America, we now serve tens of thousands of children annually.
Over the past 20 years, Soccer Shots has achieved some incredible milestones.
- What started as one local program has grown to over 300 territories across 43 states, and 2 Canadian provinces.
- Over the past two decades, we’ve had the privilege of serving millions of children, helping them learn life skills through soccer. With over 560,000 enrollments last year, our goal is to reach even more children each year.
- Our commitment to excellence and quality in youth programming has not wavered. We’re thankful to be consistently recognized for this through industry accolades, including Entrepreneur Magazine’s recognition as the #1 Children’s Fitness Franchise in the U.S. Today. Soccer Shots is positioned as the best-in-class children’s soccer program with a focus on character development.
- We have been fortunate to collaborate with wonderful organizations, like the U.S. Soccer Foundation, which has allowed us to extend our reach to children and communities across the U.S. and the world, strengthening our mission far beyond the game.
And while we appreciate these achievements and accolades, nothing captures our impact better than the heartfelt words of the families we serve. Here’s what some of our Soccer Shots families have shared:
What’s Next for Soccer Shots
Building on the foundation of the past and the momentum of the present, Soccer Shots is looking toward an even brighter future. Our commitment to growing our impact remains at the forefront of everything we do.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to bringing Soccer Shots to even more children, ensuring that soccer is accessible to kids of all abilities and backgrounds. Through an exciting, streamlined curriculum, we will continue to empower ALL the children we serve, fostering skill and character development and a love for the game.
We’re also dedicated to building deeper partnerships with schools and local organizations to better serve our communities.
Our goal is simple: to keep growing, learning, and providing programs that inspire confidence, build character, and lay the groundwork for a love of soccer – all while having loads of FUN along the way.
Celebrate With Us!
Now let’s party! We wouldn’t be here without you – our incredible community of families, players, coaches, and franchisees. Help us make this 20th birthday unforgettable by joining in the celebration:
- 20th Birthday Giveaway: Each month in 2025, one lucky family will win exciting prizes as part of our 20th Birthday Giveaway. Follow us on Instagram here for all the details and don’t miss out on these fun prizes all year long!
- Share Your Memories: Post your favorite Soccer Shots moments on social media using our special birthday hashtag, #20yearsofsmiles.
Thank you for being part of our journey. This is more than a celebration of years; it’s a celebration of lives impacted, and memories made through soccer. Together, we’ve created something truly special. Here’s to the next 20 years of Soccer Shots – and beyond!