THE APEX TIMES
Lexington nonprofit NEDO Soccer Club reaches national title chase in short time, citing need for more community support
NEDO, a youth soccer nonprofit founded three years ago, says scholarships and high-level coaching have helped more kids compete, but the organization is seeking additional help to sustain its push for a national championship.
LEXINGTON, Ky. July 3, 2026 (LEX 18) - A Lexington youth soccer nonprofit that has existed for just three years is now competing with a national title in mind, and its leaders say community support will be critical to keep that path open for more families.
NEDO Soccer Club is organized as a nonprofit and was founded with what the club describes as a mission to make competitive soccer accessible to every kid in the community, regardless of their background or financial situation. In interviews reported by LEX 18, club leaders said the organization’s emphasis on affordability and competitive development has helped it build a roster capable of aiming for higher-level tournament play.
Leonardi, who spoke in the LEX 18 report, said the club’s rapid rise reflects both access and the level of competition NEDO is trying to provide. “Only after 3 years to be at the top of like national teams,” Leonardi said in the report, adding that NEDO is “not only affordable, but we are offering a very high level of competitive soccer.”
The club’s approach, according to the report, includes a scholarship model intended to reduce the financial barrier for participation. LEX 18 reported that more than half of the players on the team are on scholarship. Dwayne Hathaway, described as a parent and volunteer coach with NEDO, said the scholarship structure helps create community access to competitive soccer and also supports player development for children who might otherwise have no club option.
In the LEX 18 reporting, families and players described what NEDO means day to day. Aruna Jaquesi said that joining NEDO was “a miracle,” and that at the time she did not have a club to play in, but found one through NEDO. Corbin Hathaway also described the team’s diversity and said games give players opportunities to work together on the field, including passing and scoring.
The LEX 18 story framed NEDO’s national championship pursuit as part of its broader effort to grow youth participation in competitive soccer across Lexington. With the organization still relatively new, leaders said sustaining a scholarship-heavy model and maintaining competitive standards depend on continued assistance from the community, including support that can help cover the costs of participation and training.
As NEDO looks to extend its run toward a national championship, the organization’s next steps hinge on maintaining its scholarship commitments and keeping competitive soccer opportunities within reach for players across different family budgets in Lexington and surrounding communities.
Why It Matters
- Scholarship-heavy participation models affect which families can afford competitive youth sports and can shape long-term access to training and development.
- NEDO’s short timeline to reach a national title chase highlights the role community-driven organizations can play in expanding opportunities in Lexington.
- Maintaining a scholarship percentage reported as “more than half” creates ongoing funding needs that can determine whether the program can sustain competitive standards.
- A nonprofit’s ability to compete at higher levels can influence local youth sports ecosystems, including whether other families view club soccer as attainable.
- Sustained community support can help ensure organizational continuity as NEDO advances through national-level competition.
Sources
Key Facts
- NEDO Soccer Club is a nonprofit youth soccer organization based in Lexington.
- The club has been around for about three years, and its leaders say it has reached a level of play where it is chasing a national championship.
- NEDO’s mission is described as making competitive soccer accessible to every kid in the community regardless of financial background.
- LEX 18 reported that more than half of NEDO players are on scholarship.
- Dwayne Hathaway, a parent and volunteer coach, said the scholarship model brings community access and develops players who might otherwise lack an opportunity to play club soccer.
- Players and families quoted by LEX 18 said NEDO helped them find a place to play and join a diverse team.