OMAHA, Neb.

Smart Gen Society (SGS) is excited to announce its partnership with the Nebraska Soccer Association (NSSA). SGS is excited to educate, support and empower all members of NSSA by discussing expectations held by their coaches and teammates when it comes to social media use amongst their teams. SGS’s curriculum will help give teams the tools to protect the student-athletes online brand and avoid any inappropriate circumstances. The center of the educational content is to remain safe, private and authentic in the online atmosphere. 

 “We are really excited to partner with Smart Gen Society. We feel this is one of the most important education opportunities we can provide our membership,” says Casey Mann, executive director of Nebraska State Soccer. “We really look forward to developing this and many more resources for the soccer community with SGS.”

Launched on October 1, 2021, SGS will be working with statewide, U-10 and up, developing usable digital strategies and educating student-athletes on smart digital branding with a focus on team technology safety and development through the Smart Teams with Digital Branding Workshop. The workshop is designed to empower participants to activate authenticity and critical thinking skills including cooperation between student-athletes and NSSA club affiliates. 

“Our curriculum prioritizes safe and smart digital usage,” says Amie Konwinski, founder and CEO of Smart Gen Society. “SGS workshops work to instill respect, responsibility, trust and communications in student-athletes, not only for themselves but for their team, various positions, players of the opposite sex and regard for the game. Our partnership with NSSA is a testament to their commitment to safe sports and protecting Nebraska student-athletes.”  

In addition to working with coaches, parents, and adult volunteers, SGS will offer individual clubs the opportunity to educate their players on safe and on-brand social media usage. Following the NCAA lifting the ban on paying student-athletes, it is important and necessary that athletes take control of their online brand. 

"Even beyond their training sessions, we think Smart Gen Society will provide an excellent resource for our club leaders, coaches and players in this ever-changing digital world by providing best practices and advice to keep our athletes safe online,” Mann says.

Smart Gen Society is looking forward to being NSSA’s partner and point of social media support, while simultaneously educating proactive digital usage. For more information on SGS’s mission and curriculum visit smartgensociety.org or @SmartGenSoc on social media. To view details regarding SGS’s partnership with NSSA visit smartgensociety.org/nssa. 

SGS is an Omaha-based nonprofit operating to empower smart choices in a digital world.