Uniondale, NY (March 11, 2023) – Las Vegas Sands today hosted inspiring and legendary soccer stars Carli Lloyd and David Beckham as they met with Long Island soccer clubs and over 400 students aged 9-12 at Mitchell Field in Uniondale to share an empowering experience focused on teamwork, sportsmanship and fitness. The event was part of Sands Cares and its Sands Youth Empowerment Initiative here in New York. The initiative reflects a tradition and history of dedication and commitment to communities where Sands properties are developed.
“Sands has a long history of creating deep and meaningful partnerships with our host communities and developing programs that speak to their needs and aspirations,” said Ron Reese senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs for Sands. “Bringing David Beckham and Carli Lloyd here to interact with some of Long Island’s community soccer clubs is the start of a long-term commitment to invest in the types of programs that benefit local residents and families.”
The event consisted of two sessions, each with approximately 200 children. Both Lloyd and Beckham shared opening remarks before the students broke out into teams of ten for drills. Beckham and Lloyd worked with coaches and students and also took photos with each group. Most of the soccer teams at the event were from Uniondale, Hempstead, Westbury, Garden City, Carl Place and East Meadow.
David Beckham said: “I have always talked about the importance of grassroots football in empowering communities and bringing people together. It’s great to be here today with Carli and The Sands Youth Empowerment Initiative, working with these incredible students, young people and future football stars.”
Carli Lloyd said, “I love that soccer is a sport that brings people together and requires cooperation and teamwork from every person on the field. Being here today, with Long Island’s future soccer stars and Sands Youth Empowerment Initiative is an uplifting and inspiring experience.”
Las Vegas Sands has a history of supporting initiatives that promote a thriving local community through Sands Cares, the community engagement program. Last month, Sands Cares launched the Sands Youth Empowerment Initiative, specifically created for Long Island. The first event featured former New York Jet D’Brickashaw Ferguson at the Annual Banquet for Uniondale Knights Youth Football.
In addition to the Sands Youth Empowerment Initiative, Las Vegas Sands has also recently announced job training partnerships with Nassau County Community College and Minority Millennials, and they have funded and launched a new certification program to help minority, women, and veteran entrepreneurs within Long Island’s labor community create MWBEs and SVOBs.