Governor Sherrill, Onyx Equities, NYNJ Host Committee, U.S. Soccer Foundation Bring New Soccer Pitch to KIPP Newark Academy Students
NEWARK, N.J., May 21, 2026 — Students and leadership at KIPP Newark joined Governor Mikie Sherrill, representatives from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Onyx Equites this morning to officially dedicate a new mini soccer pitch at the KIPP Upper Roseville and KIPP Purpose Academy K-8 campus, celebrating both expanded access to youth athletics and the growing FIFA World Cup spirit taking hold across the city.
Located at 300 North 13th Street, the new pitch was installed as part of the NYNJ Host Committee’s legacy partnership with the US Soccer Foundation, celebrating the lasting legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Sponsored by Onyx Equities, an Official New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter, the facility will support physical education programming for K-8 students while also serving as the future home of the school’s first middle school soccer team.
Additional local elected and civic leaders attending the event included Senator Teresa Ruiz, Essex County Executive Joe DiVenchenzo, Commissioner Vice President A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, County Clerk Juan Rivera, Newark North Ward Council Member Anibal Ramos, Jr., Newark South Ward Councilman Patrick Council, and Sherriff Amir Jones
“Hosting the World Cup is not just about the fans in the stadium, it’s about making memories for New Jersey families and leaving a lasting positive impact on our state,” said Governor Sherrill. “This mini pitch opening represents an investment in our kids and our neighborhoods, creating a place where young people can stay active, build community, and experience the joy of the beautiful game. I am so thrilled to bring the excitement of the World Cup directly to our communities, not just during the tournament but for years to come.”
“This mini pitch represents the kind of investment Newark’s young people deserve — one that promotes health, teamwork, opportunity, and community pride,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “As the world prepares to come to our region for the FIFA World Cup, Newark is ensuring that our children are not just spectators to that moment, but participants in the sport and culture it inspires. We are grateful to our partners for helping create lasting opportunities for Newark families through this incredible new facility.”
“From the beginning, we have been committed to expanding access to soccer through both facilities and programming across our region, and we’re proud to have KIPP Newark be part of that legacy,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee. “This partnership reflects our commitment to ensuring the impact of the World Cup extends far beyond the matches themselves and creates lasting opportunities for communities across the region.”
“A recent study declared this Newark neighborhood a “Soccer Desert,” citing field space as the primary barrier to access. This mini pitch will provide much-needed space for over 1,000 Newark kids and help us launch the most ambitious, free K-12 soccer program in America,” said Ryan Hill, CEO of KIPP Newark.
“A safe place to play can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. On a mini‑pitch like this, kids build confidence, learn to work as a team, and discover strengths they carry far beyond the game. At the U.S. Soccer Foundation, we’re proud to continue expanding access to the game here in Newark and grateful to Onyx Equities, KIPP Purpose Academy, and NYNJ FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Committee for helping create more opportunities that support young people’s growth and well-being,” said Alex Bard, Associate VP, Operations and Legal for the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
“We’re proud to help create a space where Newark students can come together, build confidence, compete, and experience the kind of community and excitement that makes soccer the world’s game,” said John Saraceno. “As the FIFA World Cup comes to our region, we hope this pitch serves as both a lasting community investment and a source of inspiration for the next generation.”
“We are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of all our neighbors in Newark,” said Jon Schultz, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Onyx Equities. “These students are the future of the city and the world. School athletics provide leadership and team-building skills as well as opportunities for physical and social growth.”
The pitch sponsorship reflects Onyx Equities’ continued commitment to Newark and to supporting opportunities for young people through education, recreation, and long-term community investment. The project also reflects the NYNJ Host Committee’s commitment to ensuring communities across the region experience meaningful and lasting benefits from hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™, including investments in youth programming, healthy communities, and accessible public spaces.
KIPP Newark is one of 26 new play spaces that the NYNJ Host Committee and the U.S. Soccer Foundation will bring to communities across the region.
Onyx’s support brings together several of its portfolio brands and partners in celebration of the FIFA World Cup 26™ opportunity, including the best-in-class Vermella residential brand; the nationally recognized Northeast Science & Technology Center (“NEST”) life sciences and technology campus; and the prestigious Class A+ office campuses, Gateway Center in downtown Newark and Arbors at Parsippany.
For more information about KIPP Newark Academy, call 973-622-0905 or visit kippnj.org.
Headquartered in Gateway One in Newark, Onyx Equities, LLC is a leading, full-service real estate firm specializing in investment, asset repositioning and ground-up development. Since its founding in 2004, Onyx has acquired more than $4 billion worth of diverse real estate assets throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and has executed over $1 billion in capital improvement projects under its signature repositioning program. Driving Onyx’s success is its deep understanding of the development process and core geographic markets, a seasoned team of expertise in all facets of real estate, and its adaptability to market conditions and the experience gained from managing over 65 MSF since inception. Throughout its esteemed portfolio of properties, Onyx takes aim at increasing operational efficiency, tenant satisfaction and long-term value to create dynamic commercial, residential and mixed-use environments of the highest quality. For more information about Onyx Equities, visit https://www.onyxequities.com/.
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About KIPP New Jersey
KIPP TEAM and Family is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and life. In 2002, 80 fifth graders walked through the doors of our first middle school in Newark, New Jersey, and our community has since grown to educate 8,135 students in grades K-12 across 17 schools in Newark and Camden and two in Miami. Our New Jersey students consistently outperform district averages on state exams. More than 90% of KIPP TEAM and Family students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. By 2027, our schools will provide a world-class education to over 10,300 students across Newark, Camden, and now Paterson. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.
ABOUT NYNJ WORLD CUP HOST COMMITTEE
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee is the local organizing body responsible for delivering eight FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches in the NYNJ region, including the Final match. The organization coordinates between key city and state stakeholders and FIFA to ensure world-class planning and delivery of infrastructure, facilities and services. The committee’s goal is to create the most engaging, accessible and impactful FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience for all fans, athletes, partners and NYNJ communities.
For more information on New York New Jersey’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ venues and host region planning, visit: https://nynjfwc26.com/venues/
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
As the national leader for sports-based youth development in under-resourced areas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation is on a mission to let soccer do what it does: change absolutely everything. Founded as a legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Foundation provides underserved communities access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
