In Partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, the field will provide a safe and accessible space for kids in Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Fla. (October 1, 2025) — The Gainbridge Super League and Gainbridge ® today announced Sporting JAX as the first recipient of a new mini-pitch through a multi-year community impact initiative that will deliver at least five mini-pitches across select Gainbridge Super League markets nationwide.
The inaugural mini-pitch will be at the Baxter E. Luther Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, home to nearly 100 students daily, in partnership with Sporting JAX, the city’s Gainbridge Super League club. A groundbreaking is scheduled for October 1 at 1 p.m. ET, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to follow later this year.
Mini-pitches are part of a broader movement to bring soccer closer to kids in every community, creating safe, accessible spaces where young players can fall in love with the game. By placing fields in the heart of neighborhoods, the Gainbridge Super League is helping to ensure soccer is within reach for every child, particularly young girls, who might not otherwise have access.
“At the Gainbridge Super League, our mission goes beyond the pitch, it’s about creating lasting impact in the communities our clubs call home,” said Amanda Vandervort, President of the Gainbridge Super League. “Together with Gainbridge, Sporting JAX, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, we’re showing what’s possible when we bring the game closer to kids and create pathways for young girls to thrive on and off the field.”
Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy & Activation at Group 1001, parent company of Gainbridge, added, “We believe that sports and education have the power to transform communities, and this new mini-pitch will provide so many kids in Jacksonville the opportunity to experience soccer like never before. Our investment in the Gainbridge Super League provides us with a platform to support elite professional women’s athletes. Still, perhaps even more importantly, it’s a chance for Gainbridge to make a meaningful impact for kids across the U.S. We’re excited to team up with Sporting JAX and the Baxter E. Luther Boys & Girls Club for our first mini-pitch.”
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, we believe every child deserves the chance to discover their passions and build a brighter future,” said Paul Martinez, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. “This new mini-pitch at our Baxter E. Luther Club will give our kids a safe, inspiring place to play, learn, and grow — and for many, it will be their very first introduction to the game of soccer. We’re grateful to the Gainbridge Super League, Gainbridge, and Sporting JAX for investing in our community and making this opportunity possible.”
The Jacksonville mini-pitch is part of the Gainbridge Super League’s partnership with Gainbridge ®. Built by Musco Lighting, the system includes professional grade playing surfaces, built-in goals, fencing, seating, and lighting to create a safe and inspiring hub for the neighborhood.
About Gainbridge Super League
The Gainbridge Super League is a Division I professional women’s soccer league committed to expanding access to the highest level of the sport in the United States. Launched in 2024 and sanctioned by U.S. Soccer, the league is operated by the United Soccer League (USL). The 2025/26 season will feature nine clubs: Brooklyn FC, Carolina Ascent FC, Dallas Trinity FC, DC Power FC, Fort Lauderdale United FC, Lexington SC, Spokane Zephyr FC, Sporting JAX and Tampa Bay Sun FC.
Through a landmark entitlement partnership with Gainbridge®, a Group 1001 company, the league is building a sustainable, community-rooted model to grow women’s professional soccer nationwide.
Follow the Gainbridge Super League at GainbridgeSuperLeague.com and on social media:
- Instagram: @GainbridgeSuperLeague
- TikTok: @GainbridgeSuperLeague
- X/Twitter: @GainbridgeSL
- Facebook: Gainbridge Super League
- YouTube: USL
About Gainbridge®
Founded in 2018, Gainbridge Insurance Agency, LLC (“Gainbridge”) is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge is headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.com or follow and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.
About Group 1001
Group 1001 Insurance Holdings, LLC (“Group 1001 Insurance” or “Group 1001”) is a collective that empowers companies to create positive growth. Our insurance and annuities are easy to understand and accessible to all. Our online investing platform gives individuals control over their savings. Our technology and innovation help companies succeed. And our strategic partnerships bring people together through education and sports.
As of June 30, 2025, Group 1001 had more than 1,500 employees and combined assets under management of approximately $72.9 billion and currently provides over 493,000 active annuity contracts and life insurance policies. It comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge®, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, Clear Spring Health, and the RVI Group, among others.
About Sporting Club Jacksonville (Sporting JAX)
Sporting Club Jacksonville, or “Sporting JAX,” was established in 2020 by a passionate group of Jacksonville-based owners and is driven by a bold vision to elevate the area’s soccer scene and “Lift Every Voice,” the club’s motto. Named in collaboration with the First Coast community in 2023, the club is committed to launching a women’s professional USL Super League club, a men’s professional USL Championship club and USL Youth Academy in Northeast Florida. Through work with city and county governments, Sporting JAX will spearhead the development of a 15,000-capacity community stadium and training facilities, positioning the First Coast as the new premier destination for soccer excellence. For more information, visit www.sportingjax.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida
For over 60 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida has enabled young people to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The organization operates 59 Clubs across Alachua, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, including 13 community-based Clubs, 40 school-based sites, and 6 park locations. These Clubs serve more than 18,000 registered young people, with an additional 53,855 youth reached through community outreach. Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs during critical non-school hours and during the summer. Club programs promote five core areas: character and leadership, education and workforce readiness, the arts, health and wellness, and sports and recreation. Learn more at bgcnf.org.