👋 Hey! Let’s #OpenPlay in your community!

🥅 Who are we?

We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization called the Over Under Initiative founded by a former professional soccer played named Kyle Martino. We convert basketball courts, tennis courts, and other blacktop spaces into multi-sport courts using a subterranean goal system, Goalpher, that empowers kids to sample sports, exercise, and have fun!

Kyle invented and patented Goalpher. The only way to get it is through us!

⛹️ Where is OUI most impactful?

We try to work in communities where kids lack access to sport, either because of the ever growing costs associated with playing youth sports or because of a lack of available facilities. We believe concrete/asphalt/blacktop is the most dynamic sports surface. By installing Goalpher, we empower kids to choose what sport they want to play, and they can now play soccer or hockey without impeding their ability to still play basketball or tennis.

Is there a park in your community where this would be a good fit? Let us know!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ckSptPslGU

🤔 Okay, how much does it cost?

Manufacturing, shipping, and all project management expenses add up to $18,000. The cost of installing a pair of goals ranges from $7,000-$15,000. With that, overall, the cost of a court conversion ranges from $25,000-$33,000.

Court conversions typically take just two days to complete from start to finish. OUI shares insurance information, provides a construction consultant when needed, and covers maintenance for the goals for three years. We typically subcontract installation to a local general construction crew, and we are always happy to work with your partner of choice, if you have one.

A kid opens Goalpher in The Bronx

🧒 Is the goal system dangerous for kids?

Goalpher works with a counterweight system. There is a cover that anyone can open. When opened, the Goalpher moves up easily but slowly when strength is put on it to pull/push it upwards. Likewise, when closed, it moves down easily but slowly.

We’ve spent a lot of time studying safety issues with soccer goals and addressing these concerns for several city partners across the United States. The number one safety concern for goals and cause of injury is goals falling on kids. That is one reason why many cites created laws ensuring that freestanding goals are bolted to footings. Our goal is in compliance with this, which makes it one of the only ones on the market that can’t tip over or drop onto kids. The upward weighted system also makes it impossible for kids to climb on the goal which is another leading cause of injury.

Our multi-sport court in The Bronx, NY

As far as pinch points, the goal design is free of them and also mitigates the cover pitch point. The front sided hinge, a unique feature of the goal, was designed so that when the cover is being closed while taking the goal out, the netting keeps hands/feet from entering on the pinch point side. This is one of the reasons, outside of making the net more durable and functional for hockey, we use a net with closer knit patterns. Kids can’t reach through the net.

⚽️ Just wondering, who is Kyle Martino?

Kyle Martino has played at all levels of US Soccer—from youth, to college, to MLS and the USMNT, to a local adult league today. He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 1999 and played college soccer at the University of Virginia. After joining the Columbus Crew in 2002, he was named MLS rookie of the year. Kyle provided studio analysis and color commentary for NBC Sports’ English Premier League coverage from 2013-2020. In 2019, he took a hiatus to run for US Soccer President, during which time he traveled across the country meeting youth players and coaches, and developing a grassroots platform to transform US Soccer. After his campaign, he continued working towards his grassroots mission, founding a number of organizations such as the Over Under Initiative. Today, he works to bring his vision to fruition through his ventures.

When David Beckham asked Kyle if he could take a free kick for the LA Galaxy, Kyle was kind enough to let him have a go.

We always try to have Kyle come out to unveiling events, bringing along his former professional athlete friends when possible, to demonstrate how the goals work and to gift them to their new community.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] or 609-306-2041 to start a conversation about whether OUI can be a good fit in your community!