New Retractable Goal Posts Create Multi-Sport Space at Butler Houses

Soccer or basketball? It’s a choice for youth to consider when they step onto a court at NYCHA’s Butler Houses in the Bronx.  

Thanks to a project of the nonprofit Over Under Initiative, a space that was once just a basketball court now offers a multi-sport opportunity with retractable goal posts that rise from underground. The innovation was first implemented at a site in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and through a partnership between NYCHA, Over Under, and Street Soccer USA, it has come to New York City for the first time.  

The new goal posts were installed in early December at the Butler Houses court, which also has lighting for nighttime play and a fence to keep balls in. The netted goal posts are lightweight and can be easily set up for sports such as soccer or street hockey.  

“NYCHA is truly the perfect partner for the Over Under Initiative (OUI) and we are so excited that we could pilot a court in Butler Houses, where the community has welcomed us with open arms,” said Kyle Martino, Founder of OUI, which works to increase access to sports for urban youth. “By converting a basketball court into a multi-sport space, OUI opens play to kids who can literally see the court from their window. The options are limitless, and the kids are empowered to choose what they want to play.” 

When scouting potential locations for its New York debut, Over Under was looking for a community that would be a good fit – and the Bronx’s Claremont Village neighborhood has a blossoming fan base of young soccer players, according to Josh Dean, OUI’s Executive Director. In addition, the nonprofit Street Soccer USA already conducts free programming for youth in the neighborhood but has not had a dedicated site for participants to meet on a regular basis.  

“We’re so excited and we really hope that this is going to be the first of many courts at NYCHA,” said Mr. Dean, noting that the Butler space is just the second project for the Over Under Initiative. “It’s accessible, it’s free, and it’s always available, so we just want kids to be able to play as much as possible.”  

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Rohan Allen, New York Site Manager for Street Soccer USA, applauded the addition of the mixed recreation site at Butler Houses, where most of the local program’s participants live. The newly installed system has already provided opportunities for youth to hold half-court basketball and soccer games at the same time, he said.  

“This is a great win for the kids and for Street Soccer to have a space where we can continue our mission of empowering youth through sports,” Mr. Allen said. “I think this ability to coexist and fully facilitate two different sports will be revolutionary in New York.”  

Troy Dixon, a Community Coordinator in NYCHA’s Resident Engagement Department, believes the integration of multiple sports at one location will help increase community camaraderie and could expose some youngsters to sports they haven’t previously practiced.  

“It will create so much more respect and admiration for people’s cultures, and I think that’s wonderful,” Mr. Dixon said. “I think it will be transcending and to NYCHA’s benefit by showing the community that we’re an all-inclusive entity; we’re here to serve each and every individual possible.” 

Along with boosting activities and interactions among local youth, Mr. Dean said the retractable goal post projects aim to support involvement in fun, healthy, and competitive play.  

“We know there are so many health and wellness benefits of kids playing sports, and we just want to get them out there doing that,” he said.    

For information on how to bring an Over Under Initiative project to a NYCHA development, email josh@overunderinitiative.com. 

Photo caption: The new mixed recreation site at Butler Houses in the Bronx has lighting for nighttime play and fencing to keep balls in.