Charlotte FC and founding partner Ally came together on November 1, 2023, to launch their fourth mini pitch as partners in the Pitches for Progress initiative. This mini pitch is part of the growing community area called “The Pass,” a new, walkable mixed-use district with retail space, office space and apartments. Located near the Cross Charlotte Trail and the light rail at Sugar Creek Station in the NoDa neighborhood at 4100 Raleigh Street, the mini pitch is easily accessible for many. 

The mini pitch sits next to a unique mural created by Geoff Gouveia specifically for this project, celebrating the community’s love of soccer and serving as a visual representation of the vibrant community the pitch is in and the partnerships that made this new pitch possible. 

Natalie Brown, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship at Ally and Dustin Swinehart, Director of Community Engagement at Charlotte FC, as well as Tony Kuhn, President and Founder of Flywheel Group kicked off the unveiling with words on the vision for the pitch for the community, as well as partnership. CLTFC midfielder Brandt Bronico also made a guest appearance at the unveiling, taking part in the ceremonial “first kick” alongside Natalie and Tony.

75 kids from the surrounding CLTFC Greater Goals program, the Creative Player Foundation and Matthews Mavericks joined to officially welcome the mini pitch into the community by playing friendly matches against each other. Every kid in attendance also received a gift,courtesy of Ally, which included a CLTFC jersey, a financial literacy book, and a Crown Jewel jersey drawstring bag.