Starfire in the News
Starfire Sports Launches Kickstart After-School Program for South King County Youth
Free program provides safe, structured after-school activities combining soccer,
academics, and healthy eating for students from underserved communities
TUKWILA, Wash. (Mar. 12, 2026) – Starfire Sports, the Pacific Northwest’s premier hub for youth soccer, today announced the launch of Kickstart, a new free after-school program designed to provide safe, structured, and enriching activities for students in South King County communities where access to after-school programming is limited.
The Kickstart program offers students a comprehensive environment that blends athletics, academic support, and healthy eating. Participants receive soccer training and games, academic enrichment, healthy snacks, and mentorship from trained coaches and educators — all at no cost to families. The program is specifically designed to serve youth from low-income families and marginalized communities.
Starfire is launching Kickstart with three partner schools already enrolled, with plans to expand to additional schools and communities as resources allow.
“After-school hours can be the most vulnerable time of day for many young people. With public funding shrinking and schools losing critical after-school resources, programs like Kickstart are essential. Our goal is simple: keep kids safe, active, and learning while giving them the opportunity to build confidence, teamwork, and life skills through soccer and education.”
– Eric Olmstead, President at Starfire Sports
The new Starfire program comes at a time when school districts across Washington state are facing significant reductions in after-school funding. According to statewide projections, federal funding cuts could result in more than $100 million in lost support for school programs during the 2026–27 school year, leaving many communities without structured activities for students after the school day ends.
Research consistently shows that the absence of after-school opportunities can increase youth exposure to risk factors, including juvenile crime, substance abuse, and academic setbacks, impacts that disproportionately affect students from low-income families. Kickstart is designed to address that gap directly.
Students from partner schools participating in Starfire’s new Kickstart program receive, free of charge:
- Enrollment in the after-school program
- A full set of personal soccer equipment
- Healthy snacks
- Academic support and STEM enrichment activities
- Team practices and games
- Mentorship from trained coaches
- Transportation to Starfire
All participating schools are Title I schools or participate in the Meals for Washington Students program, ensuring that Kickstart reaches youth who benefit most from free programming. The initiative builds on Starfire’s longstanding commitment to combining athletics with education to empower youth.
Located in Tukwila, Starfire’s 54-acre campus welcomes more than 1.1 million visits annually and hosts youth leagues, tournaments, professional matches, and educational programming, including the Starfire STEM Academy.
To meet the growing need for accessible after-school programming, Starfire is seeking community partners, sponsors, and donors to help expand Kickstart to additional schools across South King County. According to Starfire, sponsorship opportunities can support individual students, teams, or entire grade levels for a full school year.
“Programs like Kickstart change trajectories for kids,” Olmstead added. “But the need is far greater than what we can serve today. With community support, we can expand this program and ensure more young people have a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive after school.”
Additional information about the Kickstart program can be found at www.starfiresports.com/kickstart or in the program overview.
About Starfire Sports
Starfire Sports is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and families through world-class soccer and educational programs. Located in Tukwila, Washington, Starfire’s 54-acre campus attracts more than 1.1 million visits each year and hosts youth leagues, tournaments, team training, and professional matches. The organization also operates the Starfire STEM Academy and a range of community programs that combine athletics, education, and mentorship to inspire the next generation.
