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Refugee Soccer

Connecting Refugees with the Mainstream community through soccer.

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Congo Nation

August 25, 2016 by adam
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Recent Posts

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This past Saturday, we held our biggest event ever This past Saturday, we held our biggest event ever here in #SaltLakeCity, #Utah!! We simply cannot give enough praise or thanks to the amazing young women of the @ladyminersoccer team, their coaches and parents, and the beautiful #refugee kids who joined us, and their parents who got them there, to make this happen! As you will see from these inspiring photos captured by our official photographer, @kinnseye, this was a day where we did something special together as a community through the #beautifulgame of #soccer: -Fires lit 🔥 -Dreams formed ✨ -Hearts bound 🧡 -Communities bridged 🌉 As many of the volunteers, kids, and parents said that day: “Let’s do that again!” OK. Let’s do it! Huge shoutout to the great folks of @promisessl for their help in letting us use the amazing facilities at Central Park Community Center. #refugees #socialgood #causes #humanrights #donate #giveback #charity #volunteer #refugeestrong #refugeeally #refugeeswelcome #giveaballchangealife
What an incredible outing! We joined DC-based alli What an incredible outing! We joined DC-based allies, Washington International School (@wisreddevlis) and L.A.C.E.S. (@lacesport) to join the amazing, badass athletes of the @USWNT to watch their match against a team near and dear to our hearts, #Nigeria.⁠ ⁠ We had 33 kids! 8 from WIS and 25 local refugee peers. (And 7 brave adults trying to keep them all together. 😅)⁠ ⁠ Scroll to see just a few of the memorable moments of this awesome night. ⁠ ⁠ -Huge supporter & big-hearted Ashley Hatch meeting the kids and graciously posing for pics and signing autographs.⁠ -Energetic little man (barely) waiting for his chance to join Ashley and Megan Rapinoe and get in the game ;-)⁠ -WIS kids watching the historic signing of the Collective Bargaining Agreement making official #EqualPay for the women and men of @ussoccer and paving the way for #equality in sports around the world.⁠ ⁠ These moments are special. Through the beautiful game we bring down walls, unite, and catalyze action to better reach our collective potential.⁠ ⁠ We will never forget this night and are so grateful to all who made this happen. We can't wait to be back in DC so soon building bridges and connecting as fellow humans through soccer. 🧡 ⁠ ⁠ @washingtonspirit @dcunited #futbol #soccer #dc #washington⁠ #womensrights #soccerislife #refugeesoccer #refugeeswelcome #refugeestrong
One week ago this amazingness happened! Led by a g One week ago this amazingness happened! Led by a go-getter #soccermom, her boys, & their friends we hosted around 25 Bhutanese kids here in #SaltLakeCity for a fun introductory training session.⁠ ⚽️ (We gave away soccer gear donated by @coppermountainsoccer.)⁠ ⁠ We are delighted to report we had STRONG interest from these kids (and their eager parents) to ⁠play on local clubs. We are working hard and fast to make that happen.⁠ ⁠ And it was so rewarding that one of the ten teenage boys who helped coach these beautiful kids asked at the end of the 2 hour event: "Can we do this again?!" ⁠ ⁠ Yes, yes we can...and we will!⁠! 🧡⁠ ⁠ If you are interested in helping us support these kids visit the link in our bio to get involved.⁠ We have many, many more events like this to execute and YOU will love playing with these kids.⁠ ⁠ Let's go!⁠ ⁠ 📷️: @kinnseye⁠ ⁠ And special thanks to @promisessl & @holmanpatrick for their huge help with the facilities!⁠ ⁠ #refugeesoccer #refugeefutbol #refugeefootball #thebeautifulgame #refugeeswelcome #soccer⁠ #socialgood #causes #humanrights #donate #giveback #nonprofit #socialimpact #charity #volunteer
These boys, and the club that has embraced them, e These boys, and the club that has embraced them, exemplify what we are all about: heart, resilience, hustle, and belonging.⁠ We have so much love for not just these two athletes, but for everyone on this journey with us; the growing number of kids coming out of their communities and engaging with established kids everywhere and the countless clubs and individuals welcoming them with open arms and quick feet! 🧡⁠ ⁠ Salim and Jacque helped their La Roca team win the Storm Cup this past weekend. Congratulations to the entire team!⁠ ⁠ And while the cup and the medals are nice, what we really see in these photos are the results of a lot of hard work, sacrifice, commitment, and hope. The teamwork, inclusion, and courage are transformational on and OFF the soccer field.⁠ ⁠ We can't wait to create so many more moments of hope and happiness, with thousands of kids just like these two young men, and you. Yes, YOU! Click the link in bio to learn more and join this mission.⁠ ⁠ Let's go! ⚽️⁠ ⁠ Also, these amazing action shots are courtesy of the very talented @kinnseye. Many more shots to come. So, get ready! 📷️⁠ ⁠ #grind #successful #success #goals #ambition #mindset⁠ #socialgood #causes #humanrights #giveback #socialimpact #charity #volunteer #volunteering #inclusion #diversity #resilience #emotionalhealth #equity #community #connection #refugeesoccer #thebeautifulgame #soccerforgood
Sometimes something as simple as a pair of shoes, Sometimes something as simple as a pair of shoes, or cleats in this case, can create deep and lasting moments of impact. The beautiful game gives us countless opportunities to serve kids who have lost so much and simultaneously provide so much by watching these kids forget about what they’ve lost and focus on what they do have, a shared love of fútbol (soccer) with kids from different life experiences. This week we were so lucky to work with a forward-thinking and generous club, Copper Mountain Soccer Club, as they gathered a ton of soccer gear from their club families for #refugee kids from Venezuela and then showed up to distribute the gear and play with these kids. It was a true team effort led by two dedicated and enthusiastic women from the Club Board, two amazing coaches and about 25 kind and generous young men, with indispensable help from the refugee liaison for Jordan School District. It truly is a beautiful thing to watch people come together to ease burdens and create moments of hope and happiness. We can’t wait to do more with Copper Mountain and many other clubs across Utah and America who want to join this mission of sharing the beautiful game, have a blast doing it, and create more communities of belonging and unity. #soccer #soccerplayer #futbol #belonging #connection #equity #resilience #diversity #community #inclusion 📸 @kinnseye
We have had the absolute best time working with th We have had the absolute best time working with these dozens of Refugee kids at the Sunnyvale neighborhood center over the summer. Sad that it’s over so soon! Aided by two of our most active volunteers, Ali and Matt and their families, we have spent some really fun hours managing the heat and field conditions to teach these kids how to play soccer and how to have a great time doing it. And they have taught us about grit, determination, resilience, and love of the game. And we are delighted to have been able to place several of these kids on established clubs here in Salt Lake City. And hope to be able to place more very soon. It’s a privilege and honor to work with community programs like this to create belonging and provide healthy alternatives for these great kids who are making America their home. If you would like to get involved in any way at all please click the link in bio to learn more and get in touch. #refugees #socialgood #humanrights #giveback #nonprofit #socialimpact #charity #youthsoccer #refugeeswelcome
This is what Refugee Soccer is all about: #Belongi This is what Refugee Soccer is all about: #Belonging. In many ways we are just getting started but we will never stop creating more moments just like this. 🧡 #thebeautifulgame #refugeeswelcome #youthsoccer
These players are ready to join the right team! Ar These players are ready to join the right team! Are you ready for them?! Clink the link in bio to see full showcase videos of these players and the growing list of #refugee players ready to join established clubs. Let’s go! #refugeesoccer #youthsoccer #utahsoccer #thebeautifulgame #refugeeswelcome
We’ve been busy trying to keep up with these tal We’ve been busy trying to keep up with these talented and ambitious refugee soccer players looking for a soccer club and soccer family. Check out the new showcase page on our website here: refugeesoccer.org/teams/showcase to learn more and explore adding them to your club. Let’s go! #beautifulgame #refugeeswelcome #futbol
Today is #WorldRefugeeDay. Never before has this d Today is #WorldRefugeeDay. Never before has this day had more significance than this year. ⁠ ⁠ We live in historic times. Last week the UNHCR @refugees confirmed the alarming and tragic number of displaced people in the world has now topped 100,000,000. ⁠ ⁠ These are our fellow humans; forced to seek refuge from the violence, hunger, and chaos in their homelands by taking brutal, often dangerous journeys that tragically not everyone survives. ⁠ ⁠ "But once a refugee has found safety, shelter, and food the next most vital need they have as a human is to belong."⁠ ⁠ We use soccer/football to try and create belonging in our communities everywhere. ⁠ ⁠ Our founder, @bridgesfounder, spoke passionately on this topic last weekend at @TEDxSaltLakeCity. We are pleased to share the text of his talk via the link in bio. (Video will be out in August 2022 and we will share then.)⁠ ⁠ Please read his words and consider what you can do to make not just this day but EVERY day better for a refugee, a fellow human without a homeland. It takes so little to do so much and the benefits touch everyone involved in making a simple "pass" of positive energy. ⁠ ⁠ Then please freely share with your communities.⁠ ⁠ Let's go!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #refugees #humanrights #socialgood #socialimpact #dogood⁠ #blackexcellence #blacklivesmatter #blackcommunity #juneteenth #giveaballchangealife #beautifulgame
Heading in to #WorldRefugeeDay Monday this is how Heading in to #WorldRefugeeDay Monday this is how we are spending the week here with the #refugee kids we feel so lucky to work with.⁠ ⁠ We have also been helping to register over a dozen kids playing for established clubs such as @larocafcofficial, @cottonwood_fc, @utahglorysoccer, @metasportfc, and others soon!⁠ ⁠ We have the best volunteers and love them almost as much as they love this work! Huge, ongoing thanks to @Alivthack, @pinkzebramullet, @losdawgcoolio for their huge hearts and selfless allocation of time and energy.⁠ ⁠ Come work with us! There's so much more work to do and we are GROWING. ⁠ ⁠ Check out the link in bio to choose how you want to get involved-never any pressure, work as little or as much as you want. ALWAYS fulfillment, love, and fun!⁠ ⁠ Let's GO!
Our founder, @bridgesfounder, did a podcast interv Our founder, @bridgesfounder, did a podcast interview from Poland/Ukraine last month with a soccer-focused podcast called Golazo With Carlos & Paul (@Golazowcp). It's a wide-ranging chat covering:⁠ ⁠ 1. The history of Refugee Soccer-from reuniting African families to connecting refugees and established kids through soccer around the world.⁠ 2. Our process of serving refugees through our PEC Model: PLAY | EQUIP | COMPETE.⁠ 3. Our international efforts from Ukraine to Nigeria and beyond.⁠ 4. The historical crisis of 100mm displaced people around the world and the simple things you can do to help.⁠ 5. Ways established communities can help refugees through soccer now.⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio to listen to the podcast.
Another beautiful story from our trip to #standwit Another beautiful story from our trip to #standwithukraine This time from @HotelIlan in #Lublin, #Poland. As these kids received donated balls we loved seeing the joy in their eyes that have seen so much senseless violence, pain, and uncertainty. Like every kid they just want to be kids and be able to freely play. And now a few of these #refugeekids can do just that. 🧡⚽️ #refugeeswelcome #giveaballchangealife
We had SUCH a great evening last week visiting thi We had SUCH a great evening last week visiting this gymnasium converted into a refugee shelter in Poland, just 30 minutes from the #Ukrainian border. This great #Polish organization, @unitatem_jednosc, runs multiple locations in the area with amazing volunteers and leaders. ⁠ ⁠ They all deserve high praise and gratitude for the way they have rallied so quickly and comprehensively to help hundreds of families displaced by the ongoing #UkrainianWar.⁠ ⁠ Refugee Soccer exists to help create hope and happiness through #soccer or (#football) with our fellow humans around the world, especially children, going through so much as #refugees.⁠ ⁠ Look at the beautiful kids who just loved getting these special #unpoppable balls signed by @RealSaltLake, @amysix, and @lizbogus. We are so grateful for furthering our mission here.⁠ ⁠ Also, look at how beautiful the countryside in Poland is! Almost as beautiful as the hearts and spirits of its people. 🇵🇱 🧡 ⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio to join us on our next mission, to be announced shortly!⁠ ⁠ #ukrainecrisis #standwithukraine #giveaballchangealife #refugeeswelcome #mls #nwsl #usmnt #uswnt
🚨 TRYOUTS FOR LOCAL CLUBS 🚨 ⁠ ⁠ We are a 🚨 TRYOUTS FOR LOCAL CLUBS 🚨 ⁠ ⁠ We are a little late but not TOO late to be announcing that tryouts for established local clubs in Salt Lake City area are happening this week and NEXT.⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio for details and get in touch with us ASAP. We will help you find a club and deal with the registration process and fees, etc..⁠ ⁠ And if you want to play for a club but can't make the tryouts this quickly message us anyway and we will help you find a club as best we can to start playing this Summer and not the Fall.⁠ ⁠ Let's go! ⚽️ 🧡
This is our first time in a country that is curren This is our first time in a country that is currently being invaded. While we were far from the fighting, all these kids wanted to do was play soccer. So, we did! #StandWithUkraine #StandUpForUkraine #thebeautifulgame #giveaballchangealife #ukrainecrisis Huge thanks to all the players & supporters who made this possible. 🧡🇺🇦⚽️ @abbyys44 @theamericae @amyrodriguez8 @ash_smash33 @reeba04 @erika_tymrak @kelleyohara @nickrimando @realsaltlake @justen_glad @diary_girl_14 @brit_ratcliffe @amysix @lizbogus @tahoebenr @carla.swensen.haslam @gilkuruneri_sf @coppermountainsoccer @wcsurfsoccer @cottonwood_fc
It was incredible to drive four hours from Warsaw, It was incredible to drive four hours from Warsaw, Poland to the Ukrainian-Polish border in Medyka. It was both sobering and touching to cross the same border that refugees of all ages from #Ukraine are using to come to the beautiful country of #Poland where they are welcomed by warm-hearted and compassionate people, some who live there and some who’ve travelled great distances to show that as a human race we all #standwithukraine. Having the personal experience of the physical act of walking across the border from a country undergoing an invasion, standing in line for hours, and going through the understandably intense scrutiny of exhausted and tense border officials further reminded us of the struggle that refugees all around the world go through on a daily basis. It’s very clear that all refugees would much prefer the comfort and familiarity of being able to stay in their own home. (Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to cross a border with refugees fleeing their homeland.) People do not choose to be refugees. And we can all choose to offer refuge to those whose lives have been abruptly disrupted and changed forever by the acts of tyrants and despicable people everywhere. We are inspired by the selfless work of millions of individuals, some organized into humanitarian organizations and some just acting spontaneously and lovingly on their own, to continue to do what we can do through #soccer to send the message: #RefugeesWelcome. Let’s KEEP going. ⚽️ 🧡🇺🇦🇵🇱🌍
Thanks to a well-timed, compelling story by @npr ‘s @arishapiro we were delighted to deliver some soccer love this week to the more than 200 kids here at the Warsaw Ukrainian School just trying to be kids despite the war and their lives not being normal, easy, or familiar. Much love and respect to these powerful women loving and guiding these kids. ❤️🙏🏼 Huge thank you to our team of generous pro players and #utah youth clubs for making this ball delivery possible. @nickrimando @melissaortiz5 @reeba04 @ash_smash33 @realsaltlake @justen_glad @saltlakecityfc_ @larocafcofficial @theamericae @stio @bridgesfounder
Greetings from #Warsaw, #Poland where the smiles o Greetings from #Warsaw, #Poland where the smiles on these kids' faces have kicked-off our mission to deliver hope and happiness through soccer to kids living as #refugees from #Ukraine!⁠ ⁠ Thanks to a beautiful, compelling report by @arishapiro at @npr (article link in bio) that JUST came out yesterday, this morning our founder visited two schools who are working with hundreds of #Ukrainian kids now living in Poland while the war rages on in their homeland. ⁠ ⁠ (The balls pictured will be used here at Public School 148, mentioned in the story, by ALL the Ukrainian and Polish students who are learning to study and play together despite the language challenges.)⁠ ⁠ Trauma. ⁠ Pain.⁠ Fear.⁠ Language differences. ⁠ ⁠ All of these intense emotions and experiences are very real for millions of innocent kids from Ukraine whose lives have been changed forever. And, in better news, so is the newly-created bonding and belonging made possible by these special #unpoppable balls autographed by some of soccer's greatest American women players (see tags) and donated by generous youth soccer clubs in the USA. In this case, these balls were donated by @utahsocceralliance1, a great new partner we just added.⁠ ⁠ Many more stories coming right up! Let's go!⁠ ⁠ #USWNT #NWSL #MLS #USMNT #kyiv #ukrainians #ukrainian #refugeeswelcome #refugeecrisis #refugeestories #refugee #futbol #soccerislife #socialgood #giveback #utahisrad #utahgram #Utah #giveaballchangealife #girlsfootball #womenssoccer
So excited to be here to share some #soccer love f So excited to be here to share some #soccer love from America with kids living as #refugees from #Ukraine. Today is done but the next few days will be critical in executing our mission to lift the spirits and hopes of the children and all those caring for them here and across the border in Ukraine. #standwithukraine #standupforukraine #footballunited #giveaballchangealife #thebeautifulgame #refugeeswelcome Love what our favorite band, @onerepublic, has been doing to raise awareness and money for the crisis while they’ve been touring in the neighborhood. 🧡 ⚽️ ☮️ @ryantedder @willettbrian @eddiefisher1r @zachfilkins1r
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