Pateadores Soccer Club, part of the Sporting Global network, continues to make an impact both on and off the field through a series of recent community initiatives that reflect the club’s broader commitment to development, mentorship and service.
This season, the club hosted two Sports Buddies events in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, one in the fall and one this spring. The events paired youth from the organization with current Pateadores SC players for a day centered around connection, activity and support.
“Sporting Global and Pateadores SC aligned very well with Big Brothers Big Sisters by our shared interests in mentorship and community,” said Matt Tellez, General Manager of Pateadores SC, Nashville. “At Pateadores, we are committed to developing not only athletes but also well-rounded individuals. The Sports Buddies events have perfectly aligned with our mission by creating meaningful connections, promoting values and creating a supportive environment where children in the Nashville area can grow both on and off the field.”
According to Tellez, one of the most meaningful takeaways from the events has been how naturally relationships have formed between participants and players.
“Something memorable from our Sports Buddies events is how quickly our current players established a quick relationship with everyone,” he continued. “Being supportive, high-fives, laughs. You see bonds forming even in a short period of time.”
Beyond the Sports Buddies events, members of the club’s leadership team also visited Nashville State University for a collaborative session with Big Brothers Big Sisters focused on mentorship and financial literacy. The class was designed to provide college students with practical guidance and real-world insights as they prepare for their professional careers.
“At Nashville State University, our leadership team emphasized the importance of mentorship as a lifelong tool for growth and the value of financial literacy in building a stable future,” said Tellez. “We shared our personal and professional journeys with them, which helps them realize that they too have the potential to achieve great things. Lastly, we found the experience to be very helpful as the students asked insightful questions and were genuinely engaged in great conversation.”
These ongoing efforts reflect a growing emphasis for Pateadores SC in using the platform of soccer to engage with the broader Nashville community in meaningful and lasting ways. Whether on the field or in the classroom, the club continues to build on its mission to positively influence the lives of young people through education, mentorship and character development.
