united sports foundation
emma’s grant
Emma’s Grant was founded immediately following the sudden passing of the beloved SU Academy Coach Emmanuel "Emma" Okonkwo. Emma was raised in Nigeria where played for the Enugu Rangers Football Club, before immigrating to the United States, where he was an All-American with the Boston College Men's Soccer Team and various semi-pro teams before finding his passion as a coach; dedicated to teaching youth the love of the game.
Emma’s Grant is a need-based scholarship meant to relieve some of the financial burden on families that have players eligible to participate in the Seacoast United Girls Academy and MLS Next Academy Programs.
In order to be considered, each athlete/family must fill out and submit the Emma’s Grant Application form, along with a copy of the parents’/legal guardian’s prior year 1040 tax documents, by email to seacoastunitedfoundation@gmail.com or by regular mail to United Sports Foundation, 88 Shirking Road, Epping, NH 03042. It is recommended that you also have a representative from the Seacoast United Girls Academy or MLS Next Academy coaching staff submit a letter of recommendation for the scholarship.
Please click here to download the Emma’s Grant Application form.
About Emmanuel “Emma” Okonkwo
Although born in England on July 20, 1969, Emmanuel "Emma" Okonkwo was raised in Ewani Enugu, Nigeria where he played for the Enugu Rangers Football Club before immigrating to the United States. He was also a part of the junior Nigerian National Team. He played as a forward for Boston University in 1989 and 1990, followed by its cross-town rival, Boston College in 1991 and 1992 where he was named an All-American. Following his collegiate career, he played for several semi-professional soccer teams including the Phantoms. At that time it was known as the New Hampshire Phantoms; now it is Seacoast United Phantoms. Dedicated to teaching youth the love of the game, Emma coached at Campbell High School (Litchfield NH), Londonderry NH High School, Presentation of Mary Academy (Hudson NH), as well as at the club level with the New England Football Club, Boston Bolts and finally Seacoast United's USSA U13 Development Academy Team in Fall of 2016. He suddenly passed away on September 21, 2016 after only about a month with his last team; all of whom were shocked and dismayed. As tribute to his legacy and final stage in his career with Seacoast United, the Emma's Grant was established to continue the passion for enabling access to Academy level soccer for athletes.
