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SWB Boston Director Preston Hollis on stage for the election announcement in Berlin 12/1/18 (photo: sfw)
Since 2012, Soccer Without Borders has been an active member of the streetfootballworld (sfw) network, a global network of member organizations changing the world through football and advancing the #Football4Good movement. Participation in the network has accelerated our learning in each of the three regions where we operate (North America, Latin America, East Africa), and connected us to peer organizations with whom we've shared countless moments of exchange and collaboration. What began as a collection of individual organizations with a passion for using the world's game for a greater good has become a vibrant sector known as Football for Development or Football for Good, recognized at the highest levels of the football and development sectors. Most recently, the United Nations reiterated its recognition of sport as a valuable investment toward the Sustainable Development Goals with its resolution this week.
Every two years, the sfw network holds an election to select five representatives to serve on the network board, supporting the sfw leadership to advance the collective Football For Good strategy and identify ways to better serve and support member organizations. The election takes place at the bi-annual General Assembly, a multi-day event to share best practices, discuss priorities, and network with one another.
With over 100 organizations casting a vote, we are thrilled to announce that Soccer Without Borders was elected to a seat on the network board, which will be filled by our Executive Director and Co-Founder Mary McVeigh Connor in the coming term. We look forward to working alongside Francis Gichuki (TYSA Africa, Kenya), Nova Alexander (Sacred Sports Foundation Inc, St. Lucia), Esteban Reyes (Fundación Tiempo de Juego, Colombia), and Anne Bunde-Birouste, (Football United, Australia & Myanmar) toward a stronger network and amplified impact.