Second Generation for Second Touch Soccer

The non-profit organization Second Touch Soccer was started by Michael Vernau and Brian Birt in 2013. The mission was to collect and donate soccer jerseys and equipment to children across the globe to help them to experience the benefits and joy of the beautiful game of soccer.

For the next seven years, Michael, Brian, Michael’s sister, Lindsey Vernau, Jaleel and Yasmine Dmeiri collected and distributed used soccer equipment to those who needed it locally and around the world. Donations were made to those as close as Woodland and Elk Grove and as far as Nigeria and Burkina Faso. 

Second Touch Soccer was conceived to be a youth-led organization. But with Michael, Lindsey, Brian, Jaleel and Yasmine off to college, the majority of carrying out the organization's work fell on Lindsey remotely from college. They then set out to find some younger people to take on the responsibilities. Elizabeth Barger, Lilianna and Sebastian Rodriguez, all three Davis Legacy players, stepped up to run Second Touch Soccer. Elizabeth is an high-schooler at St. Francis High School. Sebastian and Lilianna both attend Winters High School. With Lindsey still on the board to oversee the transition, all are committed to expanding the reach of Second Touch Soccer.

After several years of hard work by Lilianna, Elizabeth, and Sebastian it is time again for Second Touch Soccer to plan for the future. Lillianna will be leaving for college in the fall and Elizabeth is set to follow next year. Ava Brusca and Isabella Hazel were added to the Second Touch Soccer Board this past February. Ava is a rising junior at Davis High and fulfilling the role of President. They both play soccer for Davis Legacy and are enthusiastic about learning the Second Touch Soccer operations and expanding outreach programs with local and global communities.