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Programs

Ujima Soccer is not a club, it’s a movement.

Rooted in the principle of collective work and responsibility, we unite students, families, and community through the power of soccer. We teach teamwork, respect, discipline, and leadership – preparing students in East Knoxville to come together, rise together, and succeed together, both on and off the field.

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Ujima After School

Our pilot program at Vine Middle combines daily soccer training with holistic youth development.

  • Operates Monday through Thursday, 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Each day includes time on the field and in the Clubhouse. Free to all students. Transportation available if needed. 

  • Mondays we focus on mental health with the University of Tennessee by helping students develop a positive self-image and outlook on life.

  • Tuesday’s focus is on leadership development. By introducing students to leaders in our community, we them understand their environment and how they can help positively shape it.

  • Wednesday means FootyLab. Coach Gus Alvarez is on a mission to empower youth through the intersection of sports and data science, fostering critical thinking skills and opening doors to STEM careers.
  • On Thursdays we train our brains with LearningRx. Founder Doug Mapp leads students in intentional cognitive development exercises that will help them succeed on the field and in the classroom. 

Bring: Clothes for training, cleats, sneakers

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Ujima in School

Our free program for 5th grade students in East Knoxville.

  • Ujima coaches visit Green Magnet, Sarah Moore Greene, and Spring Hill Elementary each Friday during 5th grade recess.

  • Teaching basic skills, fostering a love for the game, creating community, and sharing Ujima values in a safe, fun environment.
  • No charge to participate and no need to register.
  • Our hope is to eventually have an after-school program similar to what we offer at Vine.

Ujima in the Community

Creating opportunities for youth to play soccer throughout the year.

  • Pickup games at Vine, AE, and Harriet Tubman Park

  • Rec Leagues

  • Free training camps during the summer and school breaks keep the ball rolling.

  • Helping students connect with local clubs like One Knox, Emerald, and AYSO.
  • Join our mailing list for more information.

Testimonials

We are particularly interested in One Knox’s vision to develop a holistic, year-round soccer initiative with youth in East Knoxville and we believe that we have numerous faculty and students who would be invested in working together with them to see this happen. We see One Knox’s vision as being innovative, collaborative, and likely to have significant impact on our community and will provide an outlet for addressing and testing out creative solutions to pressing societal issues.
- Kristi Coop Gordon, Associate Dean for Community Engagement, University of Tennessee
Jonathan has been a pillar at VMMS for over a decade—known by staff, students, and families as a leader, mentor, and coach who serves with integrity and intention. He’s respected both in our halls and across East Knoxville, where he lives among the families he supports. That deep, firsthand connection strengthens his ability to inspire and uplift our students.
Kyle Pickell, Community School Coordinator, United Way
For more than a decade, Jonathan has been a steadfast presence at Vine, supporting both students and faculty in meaningful ways. As a coach and mentor, his guidance has had a lasting impact on the young men who play soccer, fostering personal growth that extends well beyond their time at Vine. His deep connection to the neighborhood—living among the very families he serves—has only strengthened his ability to inspire and uplift our students.
- Robin Curry, Executive Principal, Vine Middle