Ambassador of sport and culture is 'all about the kids'

Without fanfare, notoriety and accolades, Trinidad and Tobago native, Sylvester Corbie, is a true force of nature. For more than two decades, the Philadelphia resident has been a model global citizen and ambassador of sport and culture, primarily using soccer as his tool to educate and empower.

"I'm all about the kids," Corbie said emphatically and immediately after introducing himself. "If you're talking about helping kids, then we can talk."

For the past 23 years, through the West Philadelphia Soccer Academy (WPSA), Corbie has been a committed advocate for creating safe, accessible and affordable soccer programs that deliver positive health, educational and social outcomes. The modest nonprofit offers exceptional player development, world-class coaching and mentor programming while engaging with families through a host of off-field activities.

"I started playing for West Philadelphia Soccer Academy when I was 8 years old," said U.S. Marine, Vishna Council.

Currently based in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the former high school student-athlete enlisted in the Marine Corps, at 17, before spending two years in Japan. Council, now 21, recalled Coach Corbie making his students run "ALL the time and I thought I'd die!!"

Council's story is one of many in which lives were transformed by Corbie's calling and deeds. While head men’s soccer coach at Lincoln University — the United States' first degree-granting historically black university, Oluwafemi Badejo was named to ESPN Magazine's Academic All-District II first team sponsored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Last year, Friends’ Central School student-athlete, Asa Bell, was named a MAINLINE media news Boys Athlete of the Week.

"My other biggest influence was my childhood club coach, Sylvester Corbie," Bell told PAPennLive.com.

"He has truly taught me everything I know about the basics of soccer," Bell stated. "And I have met some of my best friends to date playing with him and his team."

Former St. Joseph's University Hawk, Bliss Harris, credits Corbie "for the love of the game I have today." Harris, a member of the 2016 Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team, 2016 Philadelphia Soccer Six All-Star Team, and 2015 SJU Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year shared that Corbie "provided a platform for me to grow as a soccer player and along the way I made some life-long friendships."

"His passion for the game and for his players is something I will always remember."

Keeping kids like Harris, Bell, Badejo and Council off the street, by providing affordable soccer programs through WPSA, is one way Corbie — a Philadelphia Park & Recreation administrator who has also coached at the Gesu School — educates and serves.

"He definitely paved the way," Jazmine Smith said. Speaking on Corbie's support of Smith's Eyekonz Field Hockey and Lacrosse, the United Women's Lacrosse League's director of league diversity was effusive in her praise of Corbie. "Our 2015 programming and Olympic Day at Sheppard Recreation Center were successful due in part to Coach Cordie's efforts."

Passionate about imparting knowledge and guiding kids to "develop critical thinking and life skills in a sportsman like manner," the soccer coach is somewhat of a sports, recreation and cultural oracle.

As the president of the Greater Philadelphia Caribbean Cultural Organization, Corbie has contributed to Philadelphia's multi-cultural, global landscape by leading the organization's signature event, Philly Carnival.

"The potential economic impact [of Philly Carnival] for our city and the region is untapped and virtually limitless," Corbie stated. "Philadelphia is a growing international destination," he said, supported by reports from the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.

According to PHLCVB's 2016 annual report, the organization hosted 31 diversity related events last year in the 15th most visited city by overseas visitors, creating an estimated economic impact of $42 million. The Pew Charitable Trusts Philadelphia 2017: The State of the City reported Philadelphia as being home to more than 200,000 immigrants, 13% of the city's population coming from mostly Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

"Philly Carnival will be one of the 'go-to' carnivals outside of the islands, we're confident in that," Corbie stated. "We know it's of value, we just need to attract more stakeholders to continue to grow it like some of the other marquee events in the city."

Facilitating collaborations and partnerships comes natural to Corbie who, in January, formally aligned WPSA with the Philadelphia Unity Cup, expanding Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's initiative throughout the Southwest section of the city. Affiliated with the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA), After School Activities Partnership (ASAP) and Street Soccer USA, the next couple of months are action packed for the Trinidadian. Other seemingly logical partners for Corbie, and the organizations he represents, include the U.S. Soccer Foundation, US Youth Soccer, the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvania, Global Philadelphia and the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, to name a few.

"There's a lot coming up over the next few weeks and we're seeking support for a few initiatives that truly are worthy of investment," said Corbie who has invested his life in promoting diversity, multiculturalism and inter-cultural exchange.

"Remember what I told you, I do this for the kids." he said. "I'm all about the kids."