FLINT, Michigan — In order to level the playing field, Steve Wolbert and Enrique Vargas launched
Flint Style Soccer in 2016 to help shape young people and their futures. The goal was to introduce Flint youth to soccer, provide education and support to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to the game, to foster confidence, teamwork-building skills, and lifelong lessons on and off the field.
Five years later, the organization has hosted beginner-style camps with elite Division I coaches, soccer legends, and junior coaches, and has impacted more than 1,200 young people. For some, soccer was very much a “pay-to-play” model that many families simply couldn't afford, but Flint Style Soccer aims to make it accessible to all.
For Founder Steve Wolbert and President Erin Franzen, their childhoods consisted of playing soccer in Flint community schools. The impact was tremendous on both of them and now they’re helping the next generation feel the same sense of pride and camaraderie they felt from the sport.
“Today, we’re able to provide free year-round soccer to Flint youth in first through sixth grades,” Franzen says. “We’re excited to continue that tradition by offering free opportunities that bring Flint families together, breaking down barriers so that any child who wants to play can do so.”
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The kids of Flint Style Soccer pose for a group photo. (Photo credit: Susan Lanstra)This past year, Flint Style Soccer had its biggest year yet with over 300 kids enrolled in the winter, spring, and fall sessions.
“For me though, the thing that’s more important than the number of kids served is the fact that so many of our players return season after season, and year after year,” Franzen says. “We’re building a community here, and it’s an incredible experience to be part of something that truly resonates with the kids and their families.”
Wolbert has noticed growth in other areas, too, including community support via sponsors and volunteers whose support is crucial to Flint Style Soccer. He’s also seeing more fan engagement from parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends of participants, helping to strengthen the community surrounding the program.
While it’s a proud feeling to see the spectators grow from just a few parents to over a hundred people in Mott Park every Tuesday, some of the most memorable moments for Wolbert have been those everyday interactions. Seeing a kid’s face after they score their first-ever goal, or watching the player’s growing confidence is an inspiring reminder that the work they’re doing matters.
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The kids of Flint Style Soccer practice on the field. (Photo credit: Susan Lanstra)For Franzen, their growing partnership with the
Flint City Bucks has provided special moments over the years. Hosting an end-of-the-season celebration at Atwood Stadium where the Bucks play was an awesome memory for players, their families, coaches, and onlookers, she says.
“I love the little moments after the Bucks games too,” she says. “The Bucks donate punch cards to all of our players to attend their games and
Flint City AFC games for free all season, so the kids are able to attend. The Bucks have a tradition of signing autographs on the field at the end of the game. The players who are coaches for us recognize the Flint Style kids and are excited to see them, and I think for our players, having that interaction is really special.”
What began as a way to introduce competitive soccer to young people has adapted and shifted to better suit community needs. Now, the organization provides beginner camps over eight-week sessions instead of two or three-day camps, both indoor and outdoor.
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The kids of Flint Style Soccer practice on the field. (Photo credit: Susan Lanstra)This year, they also shifted spots within Mott Park to add a third field to accommodate the demand, especially the younger first-grade kids. New this year is a pop-up caterer, Mott Park resident, and chef ‘Big Dee’ who provides a way for families to order food while enjoying the soccer games.
There’s also a ‘cleat bank’ to help families get free soccer cleats or tennis shoes for free, stocked by donations from Flint Style families and volunteers. There are plenty of people volunteering their time and talent behind the scenes, too.
“Outside of our partnership with the Flint City Bucks (who are paid a stipend for coaching), all of our coaches are volunteers,” Franzen says. “I think it’s pretty amazing to see more than 20 people with full-time jobs, families, and lots of other life responsibilities showing up week after week to coach kids’ soccer.”
Later this month, Flint Style Soccer is hosting the
Flint Style Soccer Awards, their biggest event of the year. The family-friendly event takes place on Friday, Nov. 29 at Luigi’s in Flint, one of their longest-standing sponsors. The night will include award presentations, a silent auction, raffles, live music, and all-you-can-eat pizza. All proceeds benefit Flint Style Soccer’s programming.
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A young Flint Style Soccer player on the field. (Photo credit: Susan Lanstra)The winter 2025 season of Flint Style Soccer kicks off in January with an indoor season at a new location that’s to be announced. Registration will be available online soon. To stay up to date, visit Flint Style Soccer on
Facebook.
For now, Franzen is happy to see the organization continue to grow and hopes the future can bring even more free opportunities to local families.
“I’d also love to see us continue to grow, whether that’s expanding our age groups to include older kids or increasing our capacity within our existing age groups,” she says. “I’m also really looking forward to cultivating our relationship with Flint City AFC so that our players also get to learn from the elite female players on that team. We’re exploring some exciting ways to make that happen that will look different from our partnership we have with the Bucks!”
To learn more about Flint Style Soccer, visit: flintstylesoccer.com