WEST COLUMBIA, SC – The sun is shining, the trees are budding – and that means it’s time for soccer.

But in the case of Riverbank Elementary, it’s soccer with a side of mentoring, confidence building, and positivity.

The Beyond Goals program, in its third year at the Lexington Two elementary school, includes 126 students this season, most with less accessibility to sports and extracurricular activities outside of the school day. However, the program is open to all Riverbank students.

Practices are held two days a week after school. Each includes a lesson, and the one at the first practice last week was about sportsmanship. Participants also learned drill, pass and move skills, as well as rules of the game.

The six-week Beyond Goals program will culminate with a skills demonstration for families later this spring.

While the best part for students is likely playing the game itself, participants are learning so much more, said Riverbank Principal Nick Gillcrese.

“Beyond Goals provides an opportunity to leverage students’ strengths, improve communication and relationship skills, and foster resilience,” Gillcrese said. “Through this program, students gain experience in playing an after-school sport, make new friends, build

 relationships with teachers, and learn to support and uplift one another.”

The program is supported by a number of community organizations, including the 

House of Raeford Farms and its FLOCK outreach program, whose $15,000 donation pays for after-school bus transportation for participating students, as well as stipends for teachers who are working and coaching with the program. 

“It’s an honor to partner with organizations that are inventing new ways to bless those they serve,” said Chuck Underhill of House of Raeford Farms FLOCK. “Beyond Goals is a great example. The staff at Riverbank recognized an opportunity to engage and invest in a different way in the kids they serve, and when we hear about these dreams, it truly is easy to support it.”

The soccer program is making a difference at Riverbank, Gillcrese said.

“Beyond Goals is a vital part of the Riverbank community,” he said. “The program helps strengthen students' connections with their peers and adults in a positive, supportive environment. Sports are a universal interest for most of our students, transcending backgrounds

 and offering a shared bond. At this stage in their lives, students are particularly receptive to influences and are seeking a sense of connection and belonging – and Beyond Goals is helping to provide it.”