Rise & Rep's social project: Laidback Soccer, is an organized co-ed pickup soccer community based in New York City.

Created in 2023, it focuses on soccer access, joy, and participation, especially for people who don’t see themselves in traditional hyper-competitive soccer culture.

A persistent problem in women’s sports is not initial interest, but drop-off.

According to research from the Women’s Sports Foundation and Victoria University , many girls and women:

• drop out of sports at higher rates than men, with many stop playing after adolescence
• disengage after injury, burnout, or exclusion
• experience barriers to access, quality experience, and social conditions that influence whether women keep playing.

With Laidback Soccer, we've built a grassroots community that offers an entry (or re-entry) point into soccer that doesn’t require peak fitness, elite skill, or tolerance for aggression.

If you're interested in learning more about this project, visit Laidback Soccer.