A sunny Saturday at Jamboree!

On Saturday June 17, over 375 poet-athletes from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx visited Columbia’s Baker Athletic Complex in Inwood Manhattan for Jamboree, our year-end celebration and soccer tournament!

Jamboree is a highlight of the ASNY year, bringing together fans and friends of the organization to enjoy sun, soccer, and the end of a successful season.

This year, we had all schools participate simultaneously, bringing excellent energy to the Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium!

After incredible hustle from our volunteers to set up our fields, Director of Youth Partnerships Zahkiya Brown and Director of Writing Programs Chris Lantigua hyped up our poet-athletes, preparing them to take to the pitch to represent their schools and communities on the field and the sidelines with exceptional fairplay. After several group games, the quarter-finals began and, after some heavy competition, PS 173 were left to face Mott Hall 6th graders in a final that ended in penalties. After some intense competition, Harlem’s Mott Hall claimed the title of ASNY Jamboree Elementary School Champions!

The middle school competition was no different, bringing high energy and tense competition until our newest school, Brooklyn Urban Garden School, took home the middle school trophy!

The success of the day could not have been possible without the commitment of our staff, Board members, Junior Board, Coaching for Change Academy youth coaches, and, of course, our wonderful volunteers. Additionally, a huge thank you to Columbia University for hosting us and thanks to our wonderful photographer Luis Fonseca!

This has been our largest Jamboree since 2019 and we are grateful for all those who made the day such a joy!