Operation Pitch Invasion, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to soccer for underserved areas, worked with Hough administrators to install the futsal court

VANCOUVER – The Hough Elementary community has a new place to get its soccer fix. Students, staff and families dedicated a new futsal court on campus earlier this week and just in time for the start of the new school year. 

Operation Pitch Invasion, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to soccer for underserved areas, worked with Hough administrators to install the futsal court. The Hough community commemorated the arrival of the court with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on its Back to School night. 

Students, families and community members celebrated with a pizza party, music, and a lot of futsal. The event also featured honored guests from the Portland Timbers, which partner with OPI on projects all over the Portland metro area.

This is the first futsal court installed at a VPS facility, and OPI hopes to install more as part of its new Clark County Fund. Access to futsal gives children a place to engage in a healthy, active, and fun activity.

Futsal is a version of soccer played on hard surfaces, rather than turf or grass. Because of its simplicity, the barrier to entry for kids is minimal, and it can be played in all weather. If you have a pair of shoes, you can play futsal!

For more information on Operation Pitch Invasion, visit https://www.pitch-invasion.org/.

Information provided by Vancouver School District.