ROGERS, Ark. – Ozark United FC today announced its inaugural Youth Academy founding
partners: Unilever, Arkansas Children’s and America’s Car-Mart. As part of the club’s youth
development program and pathway, these community-minded organizations will support efforts
to expand access to soccer, elevate player development, and strengthen community
engagement across Northwest Arkansas.
Earlier this year, Ozark United FC and Sporting Arkansas announced a joint effort to launch six
boys’ academy teams competing in MLS NEXT’s new competition tier. The teams, ranging from
U13 to U19, will play under the Ozark United FC banner in the Pioneer Conference, attend USL
Academy showcase events such as USL Pathway Classic, and other elite competitions. Players
will receive high-level training, access to national showcase events, and opportunities for
exposure to college and professional scouts. A girls' program is also in development, with more
details to be announced in the coming months.
Each founding partner will support both Academy operations and community-focused initiatives
designed to break down barriers and increase youth participation in soccer, particularly in
underserved areas. This collective commitment represents a shared investment in the health,
growth, and opportunity of the next generation across Northwest Arkansas. Highlights of each
partner’s involvement include:
- Unilever will feature its Degree brand on the front of the boys’ home and away kits,
while Dove will appear on the girls’ kits, as part of Dove’s self-esteem project initiative to
help keep girls confident and playing the sports they love.
- Arkansas Children’s will appear on the sleeve of all home and away match kits,
reflecting their commitment to youth sports as a powerful way communities help kids
thrive physically and mentally.
- America’s Car-Mart will support grassroots youth clinics and community engagement
initiatives, with a focus on underserved youth.
All three partners will also participate in hosting regional ID camps and clinics aimed at
identifying and developing local talent.
“We’re fortunate to be building this club in a region where community-minded, high-impact
organizations thrive,” said Chris Martinovic, co-founder of Ozark United FC. “These partnerships
reflect our shared commitment to using soccer as a vehicle for good—on the field and in the
community.”
"We are grateful to Unilever, Arkansas Children's and America's Car-Mart,” said Warren Smith,
co-founder of Ozark United FC. “The corporate community's response to our efforts has been
unmeasured, and we are excited to have our first partnerships in growing the beautiful game
and helping the community effort.”
“Unilever is proud to partner with Ozark United FC. We look forward to helping grow the game
and support youth sports in Northwest Arkansas,” said Mark Huffman, Senior Vice President of
Unilever, Head of Walmart.
“As a system dedicated to boldly advancing a healthier future for all families, Arkansas
Children’s sees youth sports as one way communities help their youngest thrive. The mental
and physical health benefits of programs like the Youth Academy lay the foundation for our
children to meet their full potential. We’re proud Arkansas Children’s can partner in this initiative
to build future leaders of our region through a program that creates such energy, inclusive
opportunities and joy for teens,” said Marcy Doderer, president and CEO of Arkansas
Children’s.
“We’re proud to partner with organizations that share our belief in the power of sport to change
lives. This partnership is about more than soccer; it’s about creating opportunity, building
confidence, and fostering a community for young people who deserve every chance to succeed.
By investing in youth development, especially in underserved areas, we’re laying the
groundwork for a stronger, more inclusive future on and off the field,” said Doug Campbell,
president and CEO of America’s Car-Mart.
The community is invited to celebrate the launch of the program at a public kickoff event on
Tuesday, July 22, at 5:00 pm at Rendezvous Junction Brewing Co.
The partnerships are already making an impact, starting with a free youth soccer clinic on
Saturday, July 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Hebron Park. Sign-up details will be
available soon at www.ozarkunited.com.
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ABOUT OZARK UNITED FC:
Ozark United FC was co-founded by Chris Martinovic and Warren Smith with a mission to bring
professional soccer to Northwest Arkansas. The organization is committed to leveraging soccer
as a force for good and aims to foster a strong sense of community in the region. Ozark United
FC intends to bring a USL Championship Men's team and a USL Super League Women's team
to Northwest Arkansas. For more information, visit www.ozarkunited.com.
ABOUT SPORTING ARKANSAS:
Founded in 1998 and based in Bentonville, Sporting Arkansas Soccer Club is the premier player
development club in Northwest Arkansas and an Official Academy Affiliate of Sporting Kansas
City. The club is dedicated to developing athletes’ skills, character, and love for the game by
providing professional coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and a nurturing environment. For
more information, visit www.sportingarkansas.com or follow the club @SportingArkansas.
ABOUT UNILEVER:
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of beauty, personal care, home care, nutrition
and ice cream products, reaching 3.4 billion people daily in over 190 countries. Learn more at
www.unileverusa.com.
ABOUT ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S:
Arkansas Children's is the only health care system in the state solely dedicated to caring for
Arkansas' 850,000 children. The private, non-profit organization includes two pediatric hospitals
with 361 licensed beds, a pediatric research institute and USDA nutrition center, a philanthropic
foundation, a nursery alliance, statewide clinics, and many education and outreach programs —
all focused on fulfilling a promise to define, discover and deliver unprecedented child health.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is a Magnet-recognized facility in Little Rock operating the
state’s only Level I pediatric trauma center; the state's only burn center; the state's only Level IV
neonatal intensive care unit; the state's only pediatric intensive care unit; the state’s only
pediatric surgery program with Level 1 verification from the American College of Surgeons
(ACS); and the state's only nationally recognized pediatric transport program. Arkansas
Children’s is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in seven pediatric subspecialties
(2024-2025): Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Neonatal Care, Nephrology, Neurology &
Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery. Arkansas Children’s Northwest
(ACNW), the first and only pediatric hospital in the northwest Arkansas region, is a Level IV
pediatric trauma center. ACNW operates an inpatient unit that will expand in 2026; a surgical
unit with five operating rooms; outpatient clinics offering over 20 subspecialties; diagnostic
services; imaging capabilities; occupational therapy services; and northwest Arkansas' only
pediatric emergency department. Generous philanthropic and volunteer engagement has
sustained Arkansas Children's since it began as an orphanage in 1912, and today ensures the
system can deliver on its promise of unprecedented child health. To learn more, visit
archildrens.org. To learn more, visit www.archildrens.org.
ABOUT AMERICA’S CAR-MART, INC.:
America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (the “Company”) operates automotive dealerships in 12 states and is
one of the largest publicly held automotive retailers in the United States focused exclusively on
the “Integrated Auto Sales and Finance” segment of the used car market. The Company
emphasizes superior customer service and the building of strong personal relationships with its
customers. The Company operates its dealerships primarily in smaller cities throughout the
South-Central United States, selling quality used vehicles and providing financing for
substantially all of its customers. Learn more at www.car-mart.com.
Media Contact:
Andrea Ritchie
andrea@amgrouppr.com
479.461.7696
AM Group