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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

  • Protected: BORNO Mission Appeal-March 2022
  • What I Learned Playing Soccer With Hundreds of Afghan Kids
  • 2021 Year-End Message & Invitation
  • Soccer Magic?
  • Refugee Family Holiday Help

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I built this organization with nothing more than a I built this organization with nothing more than a desire to help these refugees. We have managed to do such incredible work with just our tiny team of volunteers. Imagine what we could do when you get involved… #refugee #utahrefugees #refugeesoccer #volunteerutah #refugeesupport
We have SO MANY incredible opportunities coming up We have SO MANY incredible opportunities coming up for indoor soccer at any age. Learn more about all these amazing indoor clubs and complete your registration at ⁠ https://refugeesoccer.org/indoor ⁠ We can’t wait to see you there!⁠ ⁠ #slc #saltlake #saltlakecity #soccercamp #indoorsoccer #refugees #soccertraining #youthprograms #soccerlife #kidssoccer #girlssoccer #soccerkids #coedsoccer #indoorsoccerslc #utah #indoorsoccerutah #afterschool #soccerclub #saltlakerefugees #youthsoccer #youthsportsdevelopment
The #refugee journey continues, even after they ha The #refugee journey continues, even after they have found refuge and relative safety in their new communities. We need them as much as they need us. Be kind. Make a pass of positivity. #refugeeswelcome #refugeeally #refugeestrong
Over a decade of hope, determination, mistakes, se Over a decade of hope, determination, mistakes, setbacks, and hustle led to our breakthrough in 2022. This video captures a few moments of the work we accomplished thanks to our supporters and fans. Watch to the end to see our theme for 2023. Let’s go! #refugeestrong #refugeeally #hustleharder #soccer #futbol #football #refugeeswelcome
We have had an angel in our midst here in #Utah fo We have had an angel in our midst here in #Utah for the past 5 years. Montse, whose family immigrated here long ago, has been faithfully providing Christmas gifts and love to refugee families we work with.⁠ ⁠ Like clockwork every November Montse reaches out asking for a family to help and then she and her friends and family use their personal funds to purchase both fun and practical gifts for a family here in the Salt Lake City area.⁠ ⁠ These pics are from this year's donation and special visit. (We were able to add some badly-needed winter coats, hats, etc. collected by @Cottonwood_FC for the family.)⁠ ⁠ You can easily see from the smiles how grateful the family is and how lucky we all are to be able to help this family feel loved and valued as a member of our community.⁠ ⁠ But what you likely can't see is just how deeply Montse and her family understand and empathize with the journey of #refugees and #immigrants, often not that different. Despite facing their own uncertainty and persistent financial struggles along the way, they choose to give willingly and generously to those in the middle of this grueling time in their lives. It is EXACTLY this kind of mindset and heart that captures the ethos and objective of our mission to create moments of hope and happiness.⁠ ⁠ Thank you to Montse and her beautiful network for making this holiday gift happen year after year and to the many other aspiring angels we see now and certainly will in the future as we move through life doing what we can to bridge communities and create #belonging through #soccer.🧡⁠ ⁠ If you would like to help us help more families please visit the link in our bio to explore ways to do so.⁠ ⁠ #holidays #holidayhelp #refugeeswelcome #refugeeally #refugeestrong #futbol #socialimpact #charity
With that unforgettable, epic finals match yesterd With that unforgettable, epic finals match yesterday our #WorldCup challenge is now over. And we are so excited to announce the results. Swipe through the pictures above to see what happened. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who participated. We had almost 100 people participate over the last month and gave away over $1,000 in cash and #Refugee #Soccer Merchandise. Tap the products in the photos to learn more and get your own swag, at a discount if you hurry. (See below.) In celebration of the 2022 World Cup we are offering a special discount through Christmas for 22% off our regularly priced merchandise. Use Coupon Code WorldCup22. Hurry! You can click the link in our bio to go straight to our shop. #refugeeswelcome #refugeeally #refugeestrong #thebeautifulgame #qatar22 #futbol #socialimpact
The #WorldCup has proven once again that soccer/fo The #WorldCup has proven once again that soccer/football is indeed the world’s sport. We sponsored a watch party last Friday for the #Argentina vs. #Netherlands game. The kids enjoyed pizza, drinks, and cookies as we streamed an insane quarterfinals match. The raw excitement and huge smiles that result every time we get together with kids just like this with soccer as the focal point brightly show the benefits of connecting communities through the #beautifulgame. Here’s to an exciting and wonderful end to this World Cup. Let’s go!! #refugeeswelcome #soccer #futbol #refugeeally #refugeestrong @usmntonly @leomessi
🧡⚽️ #WORLDCUP CHALLENGE UPDATE-NEXT STAGE! 🧡⚽️ #WORLDCUP CHALLENGE UPDATE-NEXT STAGE! ⚽️🧡⁠ ⁠ After a very active competition during the group stage of the World Cup we had numerous players accurately guessing the winners AND the scores. ⁠ ⁠ We gave away over $600 in cash to our Nigerian players and $150 worth of our new merchandise to players in the #USA.⁠ ⁠ Now it's time to make things more challenging as the race to see who will be this year's greatest team of the world's sport of #Football really heats up. 🔥⁠ ⁠ Swipe through these slides to understand how this will work and start playing NOW by watching and replying to our stories for the next two weeks!⁠ ⁠ Let's GO!!⁠ ⁠ Also, you should check out the merch at the link in bio. ⁠ ⁠ #thebeautifulgame #soccer #football #soccerplayer #futbol
Happy Friday!⁠ (Yes, she is!) ⁠ Ih the past we Happy Friday!⁠ (Yes, she is!) ⁠ Ih the past week we have had #BlackFriday #SmallBusinessSaturday #CyberMonday and #GivingTuesday. All fun, worthy days. In a similar spirit we are excited to announce something better than all of these days combined: meet our new #model, Friday (that’s literally her name)! Since leaving her homeland at the age of 15 she’s been a #refugee and made her way to #Utah less than 2 years ago. Like so many resilient #refugees, she’s here now working hard and going to school. We feel so lucky that she agreed to model our new Refugee Soccer apparel recently with such grace, strength, and beauty. And the happiness that THIS Friday exudes is apparent every day of the year, not just during the holidays. Check out the link in our bio to see the apparel and get yourself (or a loved one) something cool that will keep you warm this season. Hats on sale right now and our super comfy new hoodie available this weekend! Thank you for supporting our mission and the amazing humans we love and support. 🧡⚽️ #gear #refugeeswelcome #models #fashion #style #portrait #fashiongram #photography #photoshoot #worldcup
It was our absolute privilege to travel to a very It was our absolute privilege to travel to a very rough part of the world to take the #beautifulgame to kids who have so little. And we are just getting started…#letsgo! #worldcup #newreels #giveaballchangealife #refugees @refugees @rescueorg @un_ocha
This first and last photo of this post perfectly c This first and last photo of this post perfectly capture the "WHY" of Refugee Soccer. We work this hard and take these kinds of risks for children just like this beautiful girl and boy in #Borno #Nigeria. They represent #refugee kids all around the world: underdogs with so much potential living a brutal existence in suffocating conditions they did nothing to cause.⁠ ⁠ And this innate human #POTENTIAL in kids is very unlikely to ever be realized without the basic foundation of safety, well-being, and economic security. ⁠ ⁠ Refugee Soccer has never claimed, and will never claim, to be THE total solution to anything. Rather, we are keenly aware that our work, alongside solid, like-minded partners such as these you see in the remaining photos is most impactful as part of broader efforts.⁠ ⁠ We love meeting new people but meetings aren't nearly as fun as training sessions and other events with refugee and marginalized kids everywhere.⁠ Nonetheless, check out the photos with some of the great local leaders we met with in the Maiduguri area from the State Government, Sports Council, NGOs, and United Nations Agencies.⁠ It was an honor to meet each of them and recognize the vital role they play in advancing our mission there. Next post will be the best post of this trip as we share the tangible results of our efforts as expressed in the joy on the faces of the kids we reached there. Absolutely inspiring and touching! Stay tuned...& stay safe! SAD NOTE: We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news of the killing of a humanitarian aid worker yesterday near where we were just two short weeks ago. The courage and grit of amazing humans such as this woman who was brutally stabbed by a special forces soldier cannot ever be praised adequately or often enough. We never underestimate the risks and sacrifices required to help those in such great need. RIP 🧡 ⁠ ⁠ @cnnafrica @bbchausa @channelstelevision @maxairltd @mtnngfoundation @sterlingbank @usaid @unesco @unicef @unicefusa @unicef_nigeria @unmigration @iomnigeria @savethechildren @savechildrenng @streetchildutd @planinternational @rescueorg @icrc @goalprime.ng @refugees @unhcr_nigeria @un_ocha @intersos @oneworldplayprj
⚽️ BALLS FOR BORNO MISSION REPORT #2 🧡⁠ ⁠ With Adam safely in #Lagos, Nigeria the team met at the beautiful new Marriott Hotel (@marriottintl) in Ikeja to discuss with local partners how to best engage the Nigerian business community to assist our efforts helping the kids in #Borno.⁠ The #unpoppable orange balls are an instant hit! (Slide 1) ⁠ Early the next morning we receive word of a strike at the airport which we fear will impact our ability to depart for Borno so we hustle to the airport to navigate the chaos with our ground crew. After "only" a ~2 hours delay, with handwritten boarding passes and our bag of balls properly weighed and checked, we board the lovely MaxAir jet to commence the final leg of the journey to Borno. (Slide 4) Mid-flight Tunji and I smile in a combination of excitement, anxiety, and disbelief that we are actually going to Borno for the first time! (Slide 5) This shot (Slide 6) just outside the arrivals lobby at the Maiduguri airport with our amazing team member, Maikano, reveals the hope and optimism swelling in each of us to put all we have into this mission. Properly establishing our presence here is vital to the impact and sustainability of the effort so that we can reach tens of thousands of kids here in Borno and help change their lives for the better through soccer for years to come. That hard work would begin the next day. But first, check out the secure residential facility run by the UN Adam stayed in. Complete with fortress-like barriers, massive amounts of barbed wire, double and even triple security doors, all topped off with multiple safe rooms (Slide 10). Updates from the ground in the next post as we head out into the streets and introduce Refugee Soccer to numerous government officials and humanitarian actors in the area. #giveaballchangealife #thebeautifulgame #futbol #refugeeswelcome #soccer @cnnafrica @bbchausa @channelstelevision @maxairltd @mtnngfoundation @sterlingbank @usaid @unesco @unicef @unicefusa @unicef_nigeria @unmigration @iomnigeria @savethechildren @savechildrenng @streetchildutd @planinternational @rescueorg @icrc @goalprime.ng @refugees @unhcr_nigeria @un_ocha @intersos @oneworldplayprj
The journey to #Borno #Nigeria began 6 years ago t The journey to #Borno #Nigeria began 6 years ago this month when our founder read the gripping @nytimes article about the humanitarian disaster happening there and felt the call to do something about it.⁠ ⁠ He connected with a local young man (@jackson_bennion) to use his Eagle Scount service project to help raise the funds to buy 100 #unpoppable balls from @oneworldplayprj. The balls were eventually gathered and plans were made to deliver them to kids in need there.⁠ ⁠ In 2017 Adam went on TV to announce the #BallsForBorno project, raise awareness of the unthinkable crisis, and publicly promise action. (See video Slide 1.)⁠ ⁠ Personal challenges and a chronically volatile security situation in Borno made it virtually and frsutratingly impossible to make good on the promised action in a timely manner. Time marched on.⁠.. ⁠ Fast forward to this year and with the crisis still in full force Adam decided this HAD to be the year to make good on the promise. (Slide 2). Adam found a couple of trustworthy, capable local partners in Nigeria and plans were hatched and then implemented over several months.⁠ ⁠ Even as the dates of the trip approached late last month the news and warnings out of Nigeria seemed to get worse (Slide 3) as both the State Department and the UN advised to NOT travel to Borno, let alone Nigeria, due to fears of terrorism and kidnappings.⁠ ⁠ But with his lucky soccer socks on (Slide 4) and an unquenchable desire to fulfill this promise of reaching the tens of thousands of kids wasting away in one of worst humanitarian crises in the world you rarely hear about, Adam grabbed his bag of orange balls (Slide 5) and traveled the many miles to Nigeria.⁠ ⁠ The journey just to get on this plane and start this mission, which is truly just the start, has been messy, slow, and really exhausting. BUT, anything worth doing will absolutely have elements of hardship. And it's nothing like what 100MM of our displaced fellow humans are going through daily. The amazing news is that the results of this short but vital first trip are really encouraging. We can't wait to share the photos and stories that occurred after Adam made it to Nigeria safely in the coming days.
So excited to announce our breakthrough trip to a So excited to announce our breakthrough trip to a very dangerous and rough part of the world, Borno, Nigeria. And it is precisely the challenging environment of Borno that creates numerous opportunities to multiply impact and love of humanity. Please stay tuned for the photos and videos that capture the beautiful story that is unfolding there and of which we are honored to play a growing role. #borno #ballsforborno #giveaballchangealife #refugeestrong #socialimpact #worldcup2022 #soccerforall
They say “you win some, you lose some.” This They say “you win some, you lose some.” This team from @utahavalanche did just that over the last two weeks of the #Utah #statecup and we want to recognize them for their unity and heart. We are honored to support a young refugee player named Am who plays for this 2007 #ECNL team. Most of the pictures in this post are of him, but it’s vital to point out that while Am is a valuable player on this team he is only one member of a much larger team and club with supportive teammates and a brilliant coach. One of the most important elements of what we do at Refugee Soccer is bridge communities. For us, it all starts on the soccer field and continues off the field with acts of kindness and belonging in daily life among people with different life stories. Congratulations to all the players and their families who make this team who they are and inspire us to keep being that bridge that opens minds and hearts, and pushes the boundaries of potential. And congratulations to an excellent La Roca team, who beat this team in the finals Saturday. It was an outstanding performance of grit and never giving up. @larocafcofficial @utah_youth_soccer #statecup2022 #refugeesoccer #refugeeally #soccerforall
Six years ago the young man in the upper right cor Six years ago the young man in the upper right corner of the team photo next to Coach Mo (@moe_savage96) played with our first all-refugee team, the Somali Stars here in #saltlakecity. He was a talented and dedicated player with an unforgettable smile. Fast forward to today and he’s about to leave for Africa to play for the U-20 Somalia National Team. He came to us recently and asked if we could help get about 20 pairs of cleats for kids in Mogadishu, Somalia attending a startup soccer academy there called @18x26academy. We said, “of course!” 🧡 With many thanks to our friends at @Soccer_internationalSLC Hassan will be carrying this duffle bag of cleats, and that bright smile, to the continent very soon for the kids there with not much more than their dreams. We are always honored to help footballers who want to give back. And we are so proud of Hassan and the good he is trying to do in the world by playing soccer at the highest levels, while never forgetting the joy of making impact by helping others. If you would like to join Hassan on this journey please click the link in bio to donate a pair of cleats. Let’s go!
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
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  • What We Do
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