From humble beginnings on the futsal court, a movement of monumental impact has flourished in the Twin Cities, championed by the passionate leadership of husband and wife duo Sparkle and Mario Wimberly. Their brainchild, Sol of the Cities, is more than just a sports program; it’s a testament to resilience, a blueprint for accessibility, and a beacon of hope, ensuring every young participant has a fair shot at a winning future.

The Genesis: A Love for the Game Ignites a Mission

For Mario Wimberly, the executive director, the passion for soccer ignited early. A Minneapolis native, Mario found his calling on the pitch at just eight years old. “The game took me a lot of places,” he recounts, reflecting on his journey through club soccer and eventually to Howard University, where he played Division I. Yet, even in those formative years, Mario recognized the significant economic hurdles. 

“When I started playing, this is back in the eighties,” he adds. “You can imagine, with inflation and just how things have grown, what those barriers could look like now.” Scholarships and sacrifices by his mother allowed him to pursue his dream, experiences that deeply influenced his future mission.

His wife, Sparkle Wimberly, now the newly minted Chief Programs Officer, admits her introduction to the sport was a delightful, albeit unexpected, curveball. 

“I did not know what shin guards were,” she laughs, recalling her first encounter with Mario’s soccer gear. Her journey into the world of soccer truly began with their son, Kamran, whose natural curiosity for the beautiful game ignited a new perspective for her. 

“It was watching a young child, like a two-year-old, right, make their own decision about what they wanted to do with the ball,” Sparkle shares. This profound observation transformed her view of sports from mere entertainment to a vital tool for life skills, discipline, and mental well-being.

From TC Sol to Sol of the Cities: A Vision Takes Shape

The Wimberlys’ commitment to the game and its potential for positive impact deepened when their children began playing. What started with informal coaching clinics to enhance the experience for families quickly evolved. Their son’s discovery of futsal—a fast-paced, 5-on-5 version of soccer played on a hard court—became a pivotal moment. 

Mario highlights its accessibility and developmental benefits: “You need less people…you can kinda just get up and get access right away. And from a development standpoint, it’s excellent for young people… you get 300% more touches in a futsal match than you will in a ninety-minute soccer game.”

This realization led to the creation of TC Sol, a competitive futsal organization that saw their kids and friends achieve significant success. But the ambition stretched beyond competition. In 2020, amidst the pandemic and social unrest following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Wimberlys envisioned a broader impact. “We wanted to do more with futsal beyond the competitive part,” Mario explains. 

This desire birthed Sol of the Cities, a non-profit built on four core principles: community, accessibility, fun, and development.

They began hosting community events, including clothing and food drives, which garnered an overwhelming response. This success affirmed their belief in scaling their efforts to address wider community needs.

Growing the Impact: Thousands Served, Futures Forged

Today, Sol of the Cities is a thriving organization, serving thousands of kids annually through diverse programs. Their flagship initiative, the Serve to Play Summer Futsal Program, is a testament to their dedication. But futsal is merely the “conduit,” as Mario puts it, to expose young people to a multitude of opportunities.

“We have interns,” Mario proudly states, “we’re working with them on content creation, soft skills, league operations.” These aren’t just athletes; they’re aspiring leaders. Sol of the Cities emphasizes that the benefits of engagement extend beyond the field, fostering critical life skills and opening doors to higher education and trades through programs like their college readiness all-star game and showcase for Minneapolis and Saint Paul students.

Sparkle adds, “The purpose fundamentally is to lead young people better than we found them and to usher them into being our next generation of leaders, of community advocates of young people who want to show up and be present, and they wanna pass this gift along.” 

Their mantra, “gates open,” underscores their commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering connections. They’re actively leveraging partnerships, including with Minnesota United, to expand opportunities for more kids.

Overcoming Hurdles: A Mission Forged in Experience

Mario’s personal journey highlights the long-standing challenges of access in soccer. Growing up in the 80s, he was often “the only Black kid, the kid of color, period” in organized youth leagues. 

“I faced some barriers and some challenges with teammates, and opponents, because people hadn’t seen us in the space,” he says. This personal “trauma,” as he calls it, has been transmuted into passion and purpose for Sol of the Cities.

He emphasizes that barriers are not just racial but also socioeconomic. 

“These games started in places where there was no access,” he asserts, contrasting it with the commercialized, transactional nature of youth sports in the U.S. “It just doesn’t feel good to me as a purist of the game.” 

Sol of the Cities stands as a refreshing alternative, ensuring that every child, regardless of their family’s resources, can enjoy “all the fruits of this game.”

The Next Chapter: Sol Haven Housing Initiative

Always looking ahead and observing the needs of the community, Sparkle reveals an ambitious new endeavor: the Sol Haven Housing Initiative. 

This program will provide transitional housing for young people aging out of foster care in Saint Paul, offering them six to twelve months of stability, job support, and educational assistance. It’s a testament to their holistic approach, addressing critical needs beyond the sports arena.

The story of Sparkle and Mario Wimberly and Sol of the Cities is a powerful reminder that sports can be a catalyst for profound change. Through their dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment to young people, they’re not just building athletes; they’re cultivating a generation of empowered, engaged, and purpose-driven leaders. The future of the Twin Cities, illuminated by the “soul” of this remarkable organization, looks brighter than ever.

If you want to partner up with Sol of the Cities or check out any of their programming, you can learn more about it on their website here. They are also hosting a free youth futsal clinic, in partnership with Minnesota United on August 8th at Johnson Senior High School futsal courts.