Memphis 901 FC announced Wednesday at a private event that the club has partnered with International Cancer Kickers Soccer Club.
The club's kits for the 2024 season will feature the Cancer Kickers logo on the front.
901 FC is the only USL Championship team to have a non-profit as its front jersey sponsor.
The Memphis based non-profit is an organization committed to proving comfort, community and connections to children 18 years and younger fighting cancer.
Now those same kids can see professional soccer players supporting their fight on and off the field.
The partnership is about more than just soccer. The jersey represent the embodiment of these kids' fight against cancer. It represents hope for the kids and their families
“The get a letter from me telling them to put their jersey on and close their eyes and imagine playing a game against cancer and imagine winning," Chris Clothier, founder of Cancer Kickers Soccer Club, said. "This gives them a chance to see real professional players a part of their team. It gives them a greater, you know that uplifting confidence, that they have teammates pulling for them.”
The club’s Chief Operating Officer, Jay Mims says having Cancer Kickers as a sponsor is a game changer for both the club and the non-profit.
“These children, you see them out here, one of the kids, Max he’s four years old," Mims said. "His last day of Chemo is today and so the players seeing that, the coaches seeing that. It’s something everybody can get behind.”
Memphis 901 FC head coach Stephen Glass believes that his players will be inspired by the tonight’s event and the name on the front of their jersey.
“I think you’re gonna have to say it once or twice and the guys will be aware of it, weekly," Glass said. "When you hear Chris talking about that and his wife and what they have done and where they have come from it means so much. And meeting some of the children tonight was brilliant for everyone.”
The club will donate 10 percent of jersey sales to the non-profit.
There will also be a Cancer Kickers section at AutoZone Park, section 119.
Ten percent of the proceeds of tickets sold in section 119 will also be donated to the nonprofit.
"We want to make an impact in our community," Mims, with tears in his eyes, said.
901 FC kick-off their season this Saturday at home against the Las Vegas lights. The match starts at 3pm.