Buffalo, New York · West Side
Free, year-round soccer and mentorship for the kids of Buffalo's West Side. No fees. No tryouts. No equipment to buy.
Our Mission
Buffalo Sports Project is a free soccer program built for the youth of Buffalo's West Side. We put a ball at the feet of any kid who wants one — no registration cost, no tryout, no equipment to buy — and surround them with coaches who show up for them every single week.
Soccer is the hook. The real work is mentorship, homework help, college planning, rides to practice, and a place where a kid is known by name. What starts on the turf follows them into the classroom and into their neighborhood.
Serving 200+ youth on the West Side.
One coach, one player, the same thing worked on week after week. Mentorship is the other half of every session we run.
Programs
Six ways to play with Buffalo Sports Project — every one of them free for West Side youth.
A competitive, high-support environment for West Side high schoolers who want to keep playing — and be seen doing it.
Fundamentals, small-sided games, and a coach who knows your name. Where most of our players start.
Campus visits, recruiting guidance, application essays and FAFSA — the off-the-pitch work that turns talent into opportunity.
Friday Night Lights under the floodlights. Open play for the neighborhood — every level welcome, no sign-up-sheet attitude.
One player, one coach, one hour of focused work on the part of your game that will make you better.
Three to six players and one coach working on first touch, finishing, and playing out of pressure.
The Academy
Our Academy is the backbone of BSP: twice-weekly training, real coaching, and a college pathway that starts the first day a player walks on the field.
No registration fee, no uniform cost, no travel bill. Gear is provided if a player needs it.
College and professional coaches run every session, with player mentors alongside them.
College visits, application help, and honest conversations about life after high school.
Built with our partners
From the neighborhood
There was nothing for the kids out here after school. Now there is a field full of them, and coaches who know every single name.
Abdi Salim
West Side parent
Something our community really needs. Buffalo Sports Project shows up week after week, and the kids feel it.
Peter Massaquoi
Community partner
Meet the founder
“I grew up playing here. All these kids need is someone to keep the field open and keep showing up.”
August Finn
Founder & Program Director
August started Buffalo Sports Project with a ball bag and a field permit. Since then the program has grown into year-round Academy sessions, Friday night pickup, and a college exploration track that puts West Side kids on campuses they never pictured themselves on.
Meet the teamGet involved
Nobody has to be a soccer person to help. Show up, give what you can, or connect us to someone who can.
Every BSP program is free and open to West Side youth. Registration takes two minutes on TeamSnap.
RegisterYour donation buys cleats, balls, goalkeeper gloves, and van rides. 100% stays on the field.
DonateCoaches, schools, businesses, and neighbors — if you can help us show up for kids, we want to talk.
Get in touchResources needed
We keep the price at zero by absorbing every cost. This is what the program is currently buying — or asking the community to drop off at the field.
Location
We practice at Coyer Field on the SUNY Buffalo State campus. Come by — there is always room on the turf.
Find us
We practice on the turf at Coyer Field on the SUNY Buffalo State campus. Free parking is available in the lot off Grant Street — look for the black and white BSP badge.