Next Academy Inc. Unveils Plans for Community-Focused Sports and Learning Hub

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (October 3, 2024) – Next Academy Inc., an Indiana 501c3 nonprofit organization, has entered into an agreement with MSD Wayne Township to establish a multifunctional educational and recreational community facility on land parcels near Ben Davis High School. Next Academy Inc. plans to use this space to support Next 11 Academy, its flagship soccer program, alongside other non-sports programs. The envisioned facilities will include an indoor soccer facility, a stadium with a grandstand, and a community campus with meeting rooms, and event spaces.

Next Academy Inc. is committed to uplifting Indianapolis youth by offering a wide range of programs in sports, arts, and entrepreneurship. The organization’s mission is to break down systemic barriers and offer access to crucial programs that foster personal growth and success across multiple industries. Next 11 Academy, the organization’s soccer program, is committed to inclusivity and breaking down the pay-to-play model prevalent in youth soccer. Next Academy Inc. is deeply rooted in underserved spaces, ensuring children are mentally prepared to conquer challenges. The goal is to equip youth with the best resources available, enabling them to pursue their dreams within their communities.

Tamba Samba is the founder and leader of Next Academy Inc. Samba’s vision for the organization was shaped by his own challenges growing up as a soccer player with few opportunities. Having fled Liberia during the civil war in 1990, Tamba’s family resettled in Bloomington, Indiana, where he developed a deep love for soccer within a diverse international community. When his family moved to the Westside of Indianapolis he joined the Ben Davis Spirit travel team. When the program dissolved, he along with many players were left with no competitive options.

After years of playing at a lower level, Tamba was fortunate enough to find a travel team in high school when it mattered most. The leagues and tournaments the team competed in put him in front of the nation’s best college soccer programs, eventually earning him a soccer scholarship at the University of Notre Dame. Tamba knew that many kids were not as fortunate. After playing four years for the Fighting Irish and a brief stint pursuing a professional contract in Norway, Tamba fully understood the impact of playing travel soccer. Without that opportunity, his path to Notre Dame and the life experiences that followed may not have been possible.

Tamba has since returned to the Westside of Indianapolis, where he lives and works as a UX Design Lead for Salesforce. Recognizing the same lack of youth soccer and other opportunities, Tamba was determined to make a difference. He partnered with Lauren and Jrue Holiday to create Next Academy Inc.

Working alongside Samba, former teammate and friend Lauren Holiday (Cheney) and her husband, two-time NBA Champion and Olympic gold medalist Jrue Holiday, have made it their philanthropic mission to support Next Academy Inc. Growing up in the same community as Samba, Lauren shares a common passion for soccer and an understanding of the challenges faced by aspiring athletes. Her journey took her from playing on local fields to achieving extraordinary heights as a World Cup winner, Olympic gold medalist, and a celebrated figure in the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.

“This collaboration holds a special place in my heart as it directly impacts the place and people who supported me through my developmental years,” Holiday said. “It’s a full-circle moment, allowing me to use my experience to create opportunities for young talents in my hometown.”

Next Academy Inc.’s plans include advanced facility upgrades that support innovative youth programs. These enhancements are intended to maximize the potential of the land, creating a vibrant community hub that benefits both participants and the wider community.

Next Academy Inc. will occupy multiple acres of undeveloped land on what is currently known as Wayne Sports Park, at 7550 W. 21st Street in Indianapolis. Next Academy Inc. is uniquely positioned to utilize this space to address the immediate recreational and educational needs of the community while also laying the foundation for sustainable growth and development. This project represents their promise to build an organization that prioritizes excellence, ensuring that the new facility and Wayne Township become a premier destination for youth education and sports.

Superintendent of MSD Wayne Township, Dr. Jeff Butts, expressed excitement about the positive impact this project will have on local youth.

“I have always believed in the valuable lessons learned through sport. As Superintendent of Schools, I could not be more excited that these amazing Ben Davis alumni are making such a significant contribution back to their community. As the Chairman of the Wayne Sports Park Board, I am extremely excited for the opportunities this will provide to our youth on the Westside of Indianapolis. As the President of Indy Gateway, the Next Academy’s investment in our community will be an economic driver for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. And as a resident, the improvements this will bring to the corner of 21st Street and Girls School Road will make Wayne Township an even better place to live and raise a family,” Butts said.

Follow along with Next Academy Inc. as they bring this vision of a community-focused hub to life. Learn more and get involved at www.next11academy.com/facility.

About Next Academy Inc.

Next Academy Inc. is passionately dedicated to empowering the youth of Indianapolis by providing diverse opportunities in sports, arts, entrepreneurship, and coding. The organization’s mission is to break down systemic barriers and offer access to crucial programs, fostering personal growth and success in specific industries. Next 11 Academy, the organization’s flagship soccer program, committed to inclusivity, Next Academy immerses within the spaces that are often overlooked, ensuring children are mentally prepared to conquer challenges. The goal is to equip youth with the best resources available, enabling them to pursue their dreams within their communities.