MABLETON, Ga. — A mini-pitch will kickstart a Mabelton school's athletic program, all thanks to The Atlanta United Community Fund.
It's the latest field to open under the community fund's GA 100 campaign, which aims to construct up to 100 mini-pitches in under-resourced communities across Georgia.
This pitch is special as it will also serve as a field for the SAE School (Science, Art and Entrepreneurship and provide an athletic outlet for students.
The private nonprofit school's student body is around 375 people, serving a predominately minority population, according to officials. SAE teaches students from preschool through eighth grade through project-based learning. It sought a grant through the community fund in hopes of transforming an unused space on its campus.
Now there's a field to welcome students and new opportunities for the school.
"This is how we show up, this is part of our duty - we want to make sure we give back in every community that we touch," Marissa Ahrens with Atlanta United said during Saturday's grand reveal.
Located right next to the school's main building, the mini-pitch will be used to help assemble a soccer team that will compete against other schools and hopefully grow its athletics program. On Saturday, students, children in the neighborhood and the community were able to test out the new field themselves.
"The SAE School mini-pitch is a perfect example of what GA 100 strives to be," said Julia Chongarlides, Atlanta United Community Fund committee member. "This space has been transformed from a dirt lot into a beautiful green space which will promote a healthy lifestyle, educate students on the value of teamwork and most importantly unify kids across the community who come from different backgrounds. We couldn’t be prouder of this field and the many more to come."