Haley Stadnikia knows how soccer is more than just a game – that its impact on people’s lives extends well beyond the boundaries of the pitch.

Stadnikia, the new Community Relations Manager for Orange County Soccer Club, held a similar role with the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS. Now, she brings her expertise, and desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those in Irvine and beyond, to Orange County Soccer Club at a historic juncture.

Orange County Soccer Club debuted its Community Foundation on Monday, the first-ever official charitable arm of the franchise. A 501(c)(3) public charity that serves the greater Orange County community, the Community Foundation’s mission is to use soccer as a vehicle to promote health and wellness, support and empower our youth, foster an inclusive environment, and unify our local community. 

“We want to work with as many groups as possible, in as many different areas as we can,” Stadnikia said. “The team is totally on board and from what I’ve seen, the community really supports the club. The more we get out into the community, it’s going to bring about a lot of visibility for the Foundation.”

The team christened the launch on Monday by volunteering at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Irvine.

Pillar 1: Health & Wellness

OCSC will support and partner with Orange County nonprofit organizations that focus on health and wellness, with a special emphasis on fitness. As a professional soccer club that has health, wellness, and fitness at its core, OCSC sees firsthand the importance of being physically active from a physiological, mental and social point of view. 

“We need to teach kids about nutrition and fitness, what it takes to be a professional soccer player,” Stadnikia said. “You have to take care of your body. You have to take care of your mind. You need to understand that it’s a priority.”

Pillar 2: Youth Leadership

Developing young professional athletes in order to help them reach their highest potential is one of Orange County’s primary goals. The Community Foundation intends to bring that focus to our local youth, empowering them to have success in athletics and to teach them valuable lessons that can be used in their daily lives.  

Pillar 3: Advancing Social Change

As the most popular sport in the world, soccer offers a unique platform to cultivate an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all. Under this pillar, OCSC seeks to unify local communities around the team and to be an example of positive change by eliminating barriers and celebrating diversity. 

Pillar 4: Community Impact

Both Orange County Soccer Club and the Community Foundation are dedicated to serving and improving the local community. The team and staff donate time, support and resources to help improve lives and make Orange County better.

Through volunteerism, OCSC aims to partner with other like-minded organizations in order to improve the community, particularly youth and those in need. 

A former two-sport athlete in college, Stadnikia spent two seasons with the Earthquakes, rising from community relations assistant to interim director. Her experience both with a professional soccer organization and a community liaison serves her well in her new role in Orange County.

“It’s very different because the Quakes foundation was established, seven or eight years. A lot of the relationships and partners were already in place. My role was to grow those relationships as much as possible. Here, I’m starting from scratch, which I enjoy; to see the possibilities and try to make it grow as much as we can.”