Waltham Boys & Girls Club youth get World Cup experience at Gillette

Twenty-seven young people from the Waltham Boys & Girls Club had the opportunity to attend a FIFA World Cup match at Gillette Stadium this weekend thanks to a statewide initiative announced by Gov. Maura Healey and coordinated through the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.

Earlier this year, Gov. Healey announced that 704 free tickets to matches hosted in Massachusetts would be distributed through Boys & Girls Clubs across the commonwealth. The initiative was designed to ensure that youth from communities across Massachusetts could experience one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events and be part of a historic moment for the state.

The WBGC received 36 tickets to the Haiti vs. Scotland match, allowing 27 middle and high school members and nine adult chaperones to attend.

The trip provided club members with the opportunity to attend a world-class sporting event and experience the excitement, energy and international spirit of the FIFA World Cup firsthand. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Gov. Healey, the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and everyone involved in making this opportunity possible,” said Erica Young, executive director of the WBGC. “Experiences like this create memories that last a lifetime. Beyond the excitement of the match itself, this was an opportunity for our young people to experience different cultures, connect with one another and be part of something much larger than themselves.”

The Waltham Boys & Girls Club group reflected the diversity of the community, with youth and families representing many countries and cultures, including Haiti and Scotland.

“Attending the World Cup was an amazing experience,” one WBGC member said. “The best part wasn’t just the game. It was being there with our club community and experiencing something so big together. It made me feel like I was part of something special.”

The club organized transportation, supervision and meals for participants, ensuring that the opportunity was accessible to all selected youth.

“This experience is exactly what the Boys & Girls Club movement is about,” Young said. “Providing young people with opportunities they may not otherwise have access to, helping them build connections, broaden their horizons and create positive memories that they will carry with them for years to come.”