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Dear Soccer Without Borders Community, Today we are writing to share an important update on our succession and transition process. After an intentional multi-year process, Mary Connor will be departing from Soccer Without Borders. We are eternally grateful for all that Mary has championed in her years as SWB’s Executive Director and impassioned leader. Mary has been transitioning the Executive Director role to SWB’s new leader  Jennifer Tepper. As a Board we are so thankful for the intentional effort and are deeply appreciative of both Mary & Jennifer, shepherding the organization through this important transition process. As a sport-for-development organization, we can’t help but use soccer analogies - and if SWB is our team, Mary has been its committed coach every step of the way. From an all-volunteer organization to a global staff of nearly 100, Mary has led and grown Soccer Without Borders with a passion and a tirelessness admired by all. Joining a nascent SWB in 2007, Mary channeled her commitment to getting girls in the game into launching SWB’s first year-round girls program in Nicaragua. She served as Director of SWB Nicaragua for seven years, growing it to become an anchor for SWB’s global work to advance gender equity. When SWB as a whole grew to the point of needing full-time leadership, Mary was named SWB’s first Executive Director in 2010. Internally, Mary designed and established infrastructure and systems across all aspects of the organization from finance and operations, to program delivery and quality assurance, to people and culture.  As SWB grew, Mary worked to understand the needs, talents and opportunities within the organization, so that she could bring the necessary coaching style to the moment: building new programs, mentoring staff and coaches, fostering a vibrant SWB culture and adapting organizational tactics to meet global challenges and opportunities. Externally, Mary consistently sought out the people, information and connections to support, advance, and sustain SWB. She built bridges and relationships that led to long-term partnerships and financial sustainability. She navigated countless challenges with compassion and integrity - from guiding the organization through socio-political challenges affecting SWB youth and families to rapidly responding to the Covid-19 pandemic with new programmatic tools and a strategy centered around creating belonging. Mary’s resourcefulness, optimism and authenticity as a leader also led to countless opportunities. In the lead up to SWB's 10 year anniversary, Mary led a comprehensive strategic planning process to create a roadmap for SWB's second decade. In this same year, Mary and Founder Ben Gucciardi had the opportunity to lay out this roadmap in Wharton Business School's Lipman Family Prize competition, winning the $250,000 grand prize and unlocking new horizons for the organization. Mary has been a resolute champion for gender equity in sport, including designing the framework for the Goal 5 Accelerator and serving as an expert partner for the Equal Play Effect globally. In 2021, Mary launched SWB Assist to diversify and expand mission delivery, supporting partners to advance gender equity and social inclusion worldwide. Mary has also been an indefatigable recruiter for SWB’s Board of Directors. She nurtured many relationships among SWB community members, drawing people in in a way that made them want to work with her and support SWB. Many SWB supporters have received Mary’s heartfelt gratitude through a thoughtful update or handwritten card. For all of these accolades and many more, Mary’s selflessness stands out today. Even though Mary has been a larger-than-life leader to SWB, Mary built the organization to be bigger than any one person, including herself. Mary helped build SWB to sustain itself without her as its leader, because in her words, “the next generation of SWB leaders is already here”. We wish Mary all the best in all future endeavors - and know that she’ll remain a close friend and collaborator with the SWB community. With deep gratitude, The Soccer Without Borders Board of Directors >> Click here to read our Q&A with Mary Connor

As we celebrate SWB United, our Play It Forward campaign for 2023, we are excited to share this series of year-end blogs centered around the ways that soccer has the power to inspire, unite, and create a more inclusive and equitable world. For the remainder of the year, join us each Wednesday as we bring you special mission moments, motivating books and movies, inspirational soccer memories, and more – all chosen by SWB staff! **** Over the past few weeks, staff members from across Soccer Without Borders (SWB) have shared the mission moments and inspirational reads that have been a source of motivation throughout the year. This time around, we asked staff and coaches to share memories from the world of soccer that have resonated with them most in 2023 – those moments, big and small, that have fanned the flame of their passion for the global game. As the entries started to pour in, there was one thing that became immediately clear: 2023 was a year full of celebration for the rise of the women's game! Take the Women's World Cup for example: According to FIFA, over 1.7 million match tickets were sold, global TV viewership records were smashed, and historically underrepresented nations found success (for example, China had the highest audience for a single match, a staggering 53.9 million people watched their game against England!) Investing in girls and women creates positive effects that reverberate throughout the course of her life, as well as in her family and community. Research consistently demonstrates that girls who play sports improve academically, make healthier choices, and show increased positive body-image and self-confidence. Despite these numerous benefits, less than 12% of participants in the “world's game” are female. Barriers to girls’ participation in sport stem from a range of factors — including familial obligations, social and cultural norms, economic constraints, and safety concerns — that often reinforce and exacerbate one another. Since many of these factors are deeply rooted in traditional sports models, eradicating them requires proactive, rather than simply reactive, approaches. This is where SWB comes in. We actively work to address barriers of all kinds to make sure that girls from diverse cultural backgrounds can get in the game. One major component of this work includes ensuring that every girl who steps on the pitch has female role models they can look up to. The following stories were chosen as some of the year's most memorable and uplifting moments in women's soccer. More than just feel-good stories, though, they stand as a testiment to the idea that "if she can see it, she can be it." Coach Fahaby and Coach Michell Represent SWB at Festival ‘23 in Sydney, Australia Fahaby Kitimbo, Senior Program Coordinator at our SWB Uganda hub, and Michell Guadamuz, captain of Granada FC and alumna coach at our SWB Nicaragua hub, represented SWB, East Africa and Nicaragua as youth delegates at Festival ‘23, an 8-day youth festival of football for good held in Sydney during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final week! Fahaby and Michell were among 70 leaders from 40 countries across the Common Goal community, including representatives from all of the Equal Play Effect regions. While there, they took part in capacity-building workshops, immersive cross-cultural activities, world-class forums, and a fair play football tournament. Upon returning to SWB Uganda and SWB Nicaragua, they had the opportunity to share their experience and learnings with the local SWB community, ensuring that the impact of Festival ‘23 continues to live on. >> Learn more about Fahaby and Michell at Festival ‘23 Linda Caicedo Overcomes Adversity to Inspire at the Women’s World Cup “Linda Caicedo's goal against Germany and Colombia's subsequent World Cup run has to be up there.” - Nora, Director of SWB Assist “Linda Caicedo's first goal in the World Cup and her story.”  - Larkin, SWB Director of Monitoring and Learning Linda Caicedo’s goal against pre-tournament favorites Germany was voted best goal of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and was nominated for a FIFA Puskas Award. The Real Madrid and Columbia Women’s National team forward has become one of the world’s most exciting up and coming footballers, yet, her bravery off the field may be the thing that has inspired us most at SWB. In the article below, learn about Caicedo’s love for the game, overcoming cancer at the age of 15, and the things in her life that motivate her most. >> Linda Caicedo talks overcoming cancer, Colombia’s World Cup run and joining Real Madrid (The Athletic) Sophie Braun’s Jaw Dropping Goal for Argentina at the Women’s World Cup “Former teammate Sophie Braun scoring an absolute BANGER for Argentina against South Africa in the 2023 Women's World Cup to then be nominated for ‘Goal of the World Cup.’” - Sydney, SWB Coach-Mentor Fellow Not only did the Argentina Women's National Team and Club León star score one of the most remarkable goals at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, she is also a friend of SWB who has gone out of her way to encourage our participants by making special appearances at our SWB Colorado and Massachusetts hubs. After Sophie shared her story with SWB Colorado on Zoom, one participant from our Aurora-West site wrote: “my favorite part of [Sophie’s] call was when [she] talked to us about not giving up on your passion and that inspired me to not give up on my passions too.” >> Argentina's Sophia Braun drills a RIDICULOUS goal from DEEP outside the box (Fox Soccer) NY/NJ Gotham FC’s Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly Crowned NWSL Champions “Watching Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly be part of the winning NWSL team. Their journeys over the last few years have been so incredibly challenging and to see their perseverance rewarded with a championship was a storybook ending.” - Mia, SWB People and Culture Coordinator Whether we’re cheering for (friend of SWB) Naomi Girma as she laces up for the San Diego Wave, partnering with Angel City FC on new and innovative initiatives, or creating memories with SWB participants at a live Washington Spirit match, we cherish every opportunity to celebrate the women’s game. Therefore, many of us at SWB staff were delighted to witness Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, true role models both on and off the pitch, lift the 2023 NWSL championship trophy. >> For Mana Shim, Gotham’s Championship run provided justice, satisfaction and a perfect ending (The Athletic) The South Africa Women’s National Team Spread Joy Through their Voices “The South African women's team getting hyped by singing their traditional music prior to the start of their games” - Sarah, SWB Program Manager Listening to the South Africa Women’s National Team sing with passion and pride is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. One can’t help but be reminded of two of the mantras that help guide the culture of SWB, “you play best when you’re smiling” and “leave your shoes at the door.” These mantras evoke the values we place on diversity, inclusion, joy, and self-expression – ideas that were beautiflly captured by the South Africa Women's National Team in the clip linked below. >> South Africa women's national football team brought the tunes (ESPN W) The Reggae Girls Make History: Jamaica Qualifies for the Women’s World Knockout Round “The Reggae girl’s performance at the World Cup in spite of their federation (holding their federation accountable).” - Larkin, SWB Director of Monitoring and Learning The Jamaican National Women's Team became the first Caribbean nation ever to advance from the women's group stage. But it wasn't easy getting there, the team had to set up a crowdfunding page to help cover costs associated with playing in the World Cup, including a training camp, food and travel. >> “From GoFundMe to History: Jamaica Qualifies for the Knockout Round” (Newsweek) Rallying around Jenni Hermoso and the Spanish Women’s National Team “Number one would probably be how the Spanish team supported Jenni Hermoso, and each other, and the football world removed an abusive man from his position of power.” - Nora, Director of SWB Assist From our partners at Common Goal: “Sadly, it might be true that if Spain hadn’t won the World Cup, the spotlight that is so needed to highlight the systemic issues and abuses in football wouldn’t be shining where it is needed. The pressure that has been borne out of that victory needs to remain in order to bring about necessary change. But, while keeping those who contributed to a toxic culture accountable, let’s also appreciate the incredible achievements of Spanish players, who accomplished so much on and off the pitch despite a system that did not nourish them to shine their brightest.” >> The Post That Should Have Been (Common Goal) The Memories Made in Our Own Backyards “Reuniting with some old team members in a summer league. Even though we hadn't played or seen each other together in years it felt like we had never left the ‘field’.” - Grace, SWB Coach-Mentor Fellow While many of the moments listed above are a testament to the rise of the women’s game in stadiums, TV sets, and live streams around the world, sometimes the most meaningful soccer memories are the ones that you experience in your own backyard with your own community. For SWB staff members Fahaby and Grace, their favorite soccer memories of 2023 were those that celebrated belonging, community, and the life-long lessons that are learned through sports. “This was a personal moment that I was engaged in”, recalled Fahaby, Senior Program Coordinator at our SWB Uganda hub. “It was the last Saturday of July when I went to play a league with my friends and the format of teams was each team, one girl. We had 4 games that day and 3 of our key players had not come for the league that round. The team was disorganized and scared, we lost the first game and everyone was complaining. Then, we lost the second game as well. As we were going to sit and meditate about the games, one of the key players finally arrived. Going into the game, we had a team meeting and he was so encouraging. He requested everyone to forget about the last two games and focus because we needed the win. We were playing the top team, they had scored 3 and we had 0. But after he encouraged us, we managed to equalize and also we won the game at the end!” >> Read more about our gender equity work >> Make a donation in support of our gender equity programming >> Learn more about SWB United: Play It Forward 2023

As part of our SWB United: Play It Forward campaign, we are thrilled to highlight some incredible teammates who began their SWB journeys as participants before becoming youth leaders and eventually official SWB coaches! Last week, SWB Oakland kicked off the series with a fun, lively, and inspirational conversation (click here to listen). Next up, we are excited to head over to the East Coast and shine a spotlight on two amazing alumni coaches from SWB Massachusetts! Recorded live on Twitter (X) Spaces on Friday, December 8th, 2023, this bilingual, podcast-style interview was co-hosted by SWB Executive Director Jennifer Tepper and Program Coordinator Karla Gutierrez and featured alumni coaches Natalia and Edwin! Learn how soccer has played an integral role in providing leadership pathways for these passionate coaches, the importance of having positive mentors in one's life, and much more. Plus, learn all about Coach Natalia and Coach Edwin's very special connections to two of our other SWB hubs!

As we celebrate SWB United, our Play It Forward campaign for 2023, we are excited to share this series of end-of-year blogs centered around the ways that soccer has the power to inspire, unite, and create a more inclusive and equitable world. For the remainder of the year, join us every Wednesday as we bring you special, staff chosen mission moments, motivating books and movies, inspirational soccer memories, and more! **** Last year, from Oakland to Maryland, Massachusetts to Colorado, Nicaragua to Uganda, and globally through SWB Assist, an incredible 111 staff members and 486 volunteers worked to advance the mission of Soccer Without Borders (SWB). These hard working, caring, and passionate individuals – along with the valuable support of local families, community members, and partners – helped ensure that all 4,976 participants served had opportunities to reach their greatest potential, both on and off the soccer field. Hailing from 64 countries of origin and speaking 47 unique languages, many of our participants are newcomers – they are refugee and asylum-seeking youth fleeing some of the world's most challenging and protracted conflicts, seeking safety, stability, and opportunities to build a new home. At SWB, we serve some of society’s most marginalized communities, and as our coaches, volunteers, and staff members can surely attest, this type of work doesn’t come without its challenges. Because of this, we cherish every opportunity to stop and reflect, to look upon that mission moments, big or small, that make every challenge worthwhile. While many of our favorite moments of inspiration come directly from SWB soccer fields and classrooms (check out our recent blog on our top mission moments of 2023), we asked our staff members to share the books they’ve been reading over the past year – the works of fiction and nonfiction that have provided that little extra boost of motivation to their days. As you add these titles to your own reading list, we hope that they inspire, motivate, and resonate. We hope that they can be a reminder that, together, we have the power to create a more inclusive and equitable world. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier By Ishmael Beah (2007) Recommended by Bridget Black, SWB Advancement Manager “In A Long Way Gone, Beah, now twenty-five years old, tells a riveting story: how at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. This is a rare and mesmerizing account, told with real literary force and heartbreaking honesty.” Outcasts United By Warren St. John (2009) Recommended by Mia Golin, SWB People and Culture Coordinator “Set against the backdrop of an American town that without its consent had become a vast social experiment, Outcasts United follows a pivotal season in the life of the Fugees and their charismatic coach. Warren St. John documents the lives of a diverse group of young people as they miraculously coalesce into a band of brothers, while also drawing a fascinating portrait of a fading American town struggling to accommodate its new arrivals. At the center of the story is fiery Coach Luma, who relentlessly drives her players to success on the soccer field while holding together their lives—and the lives of their families—in the face of a series of daunting challenges. This fast-paced chronicle of a single season is a complex and inspiring tale of a small town becoming a global community—and an account of the ingenious and complicated ways we create a home in a changing world.” Under the Lights and in the Dark: Untold Stories of Women's Soccer By Gwendolyn Oxenham (2017) Recommended by Sydney Wilson, SWB Coach-Mentor “Under the Lights and in the Dark: Untold Stories of Women's Soccer takes an unprecedented look inside the lives of professional football players around the world – from precarious positions in underfunded teams and leagues, to sold-out stadiums and bright lights. Award-winning filmmaker and journalist Gwendolyn Oxenham tells the stories of the phenoms, underdogs, and nobodies – players willing to follow the game wherever it takes them.” The Newcomers: Finding Refuge, Friendship, and Hope in an American Classroom By Helen Thorpe (2017) Recommended by Grace Oberschmidt, SWB Coach-Mentor “From the award-winning, ‘meticulously observant’ author of Soldier Girls and Just Like Us comes a powerful and moving account of how refugee teenagers at a public high school learn English and become Americans, in the care of a compassionate teacher. The Newcomers follows the lives of twenty-two immigrant teenagers throughout the course of the 2015-2016 school year as they land at South High School in Denver, Colorado. These newcomers, from fourteen to nineteen years old, come from nations convulsed by drought or famine or war. Many come directly from refugee camps, after experiencing dire forms of cataclysm. Some arrive alone, having left or lost every other member of their original family.” (Re)Born in the USA: An Englishman's Love Letter to His Chosen Home By Roger Bennett (2021) Recommended by Dustin Alarid, SWB Communications Director “One-half of the celebrated Men in Blazers duo, longtime culture and soccer commentator Roger Bennett traces the origins of his love affair with America, and how he went from a depraved, pimply faced Jewish boy in 1980’s Liverpool to become the quintessential Englishman in New York. A memoir for fans of Jon Ronson and Chuck Klosterman, but with Roger Bennett’s signature pop culture flair and humor. (Re)Born in the USA captures the universality of growing pains, growing up, and growing out of where you come from. Drenched in the culture of the late ’80s and ’90s from the UK and the USA, and the heartfelt, hilarious sense of humor that has made Roger Bennett so beloved by his listeners, here is both a truly unique coming-of-age story and the love letter to America that the country needs right now.” Peach Blossom Spring By Melissa Fu (2022) Recommended by Jennifer Tepper, SWB Executive Director “China, 1938. Meilin and her four-year-old son, Renshu, flee their burning city as Japanese forces advance. On the perilous journey that follows, across a China transformed by war, they find comfort and wisdom in their most treasured possession, a beautifully illustrated hand scroll filled with ancient fables. Years later, Renshu settled in America as Henry Dao. Though his daughter, Lily, is desperate to understand her heritage, he refuses to talk about his childhood in China. How can he tell his story when he's left so much behind? Spanning continents and generations, Peach Blossom Spring is a bold and moving story about the haunting power of our past, the sacrifices we make to protect our children, and one family's search for a place to call home.” Hijab Butch Blues By Lamya H (2023) Recommended by Larkin Brown, SWB Director of Monitoring & Learning “Written with deep intelligence and a fierce humor, Hijab Butch Blues follows Lamya as she travels to the United States, as she comes out, and as she navigates the complexities of the immigration system - and the queer dating scene. At each step, she turns to her faith to make sense of her life, weaving stories from the Quran together with her own experiences: Musa leading his people to freedom; Allah, who is neither male nor female; and Nuh, who built an ark, just as Lamya is finally able to become the architect of her own story. Raw and unflinching, Hijab Butch Blues heralds the arrival of a truly original voice, asking powerful questions about gender and sexuality, relationships, identity and faith, and what it means to build a life of one's own.” Americanah By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2023) Recommended by Sarah Stengl Keras, SWB Program Manager “As teenagers in a Lagos secondary school, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are fleeing the country if they can. Ifemelu--beautiful, self-assured--departs for America to study. She suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships and friendships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze – the quiet, thoughtful son of a professor – had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London.” (Editor's note: the views and opinions expressed by the above authors and publishers do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Soccer Without Borders. Read about the SWB mission and vision here.) Now that you have some brand new editions to your winter reading list, learn more about: >> SWB United: Play It Forward 2023 >> Our approach to serving refugee and newcomer youth >> Our gender equity programming >> Play Proud, an initiative to provide safer spaces for LGBTQ+ youth

As part of our SWB United: Play It Forward campaign, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on some incredible teammates who began their SWB journeys as participants and interns before eventually joining our staff as official SWB coaches! First up in our Alumni Spotlight series, we featured alumni coaches from our SWB Oakland hub! Recorded live on Twitter (X) Spaces on Friday, December 1st, 2023, the podcast-style interview was hosted by SWB Executive Director Jennifer Tepper and featured SWB Oakland Program Manager Ye-Htet Soe, Coach-Mentor Associate Rafa Barios, and Program Associate No Roah Swa. Learn how soccer has played an integral role in providing leadership pathways for these passionate alumni, the challenges they face day-to-day as role-models and mentors, and what inspires them as coach at SWB Oakland.

As we celebrate SWB United, our Play It Forward campaign for 2023, we are excited to share this series of year-end blogs centered around the ways that soccer has the power to inspire, unite, and create a more inclusive and equitable world. For the remainder of the year, join us each Wednesday as we bring you special mission moments, motivating books and movies, inspirational soccer memories, and more – all chosen by SWB staff! **** The past 12 months have been an incredible testament to the passion, hard work, and unwavering dedication of the Soccer Without Borders (SWB) community -- those who believe that soccer can truly be a vehicle for positive change. While there are far too many amazing highlights to share, we will dive into some of the key moments, as chosen by our staff, that have helped shape another year of impact for nearly 5000 newcomer youth and marginalized girls around the world. Join us in celebrating the incredible stories of growth, inclusion, and personal success that continue to unfold across SWB: SWB Colorado Make a donation to our Colorado hub Motivational Mondays have become a highlight for participants at SWB Colorado’s Aurora-West site. In October, they were paid a visit by professional players Boubacar Keita and Abraham Rodriguez from the Colorado Rapids! Not only was it a chance for some autographs and fun photos, more importantly, it was an opportunity to hear some inspirational stories of hard work and resilience. Additionally, Motivational Mondays have included virtual visits from Sophie Braun of Club León Femenil and the Argentina Women’s National Team, Summer Yates of the Orlando Pride, and former co-captain of the Afghanistan National Team and current SWB Oakland Program Coordinator Hajar Abulfazl. Over the summer, 37 youth leaders were hired to support SWB camps for K-8th grade participants across our sites in the Denver Metro Area and Weld County. Integration of youth leaders into SWB Colorado's summer camps is one of the most impactful aspects of our programs during the summer months. As part of being a youth leader, these high school students learn resume writing, interviewing, basic professional skills, and positive coaching techniques. Additionally, they gain experience working with younger participants while learning how to target specific focus areas, utilize feedback, and lead self-reflections. SWB Maryland Make a donation to our Maryland hub In September, the SWB community in Baltimore had the incredible joy of meeting Little Amal, the 12-foot puppet representing a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl on a 6,000-mile journey across America. Together, they shared a message of hope and love, especially for displaced children. Additionally, SWB participants invited local children to join them playing soccer alongside Little Amal at Baltimore's City Hall. It was a beautiful display of unity, joy, and the universal language of soccer. Fit, Roza, and Aya, participants at our SWB Maryland hub, were featured in a special photo storytelling series by Goal Click designed to put a spotlight upon the refugee experience. Each of the featured participants used photos to tell their own stories while showing the power of soccer and community at SWB. SWB Massachusetts Make a donation to our Massachusetts hub In October, along with our Oakland and Maryland hubs, SWB Massachusetts hosted its annual Small Goals Big Change (SGBC) tournament fundraiser! Our annual SGBC tournaments are a highlight of the fall season as they provide opportunities for the community to rally together in support of local SWB programming the best way we know how: by playing soccer! At SWB Massachusetts, in collaboration with FIFA, we took this year's SGBC tournament to a whole new level by lifting up, welcoming, and supporting newcomers from Afghanistan! In addition to the on-the-field action, we welcomed our Afghan neighbors with a community resource fair, by sharing food together, and by providing a platform for Afghan women soccer players to tell their stories via a special online event. It was the perfect way to say: We're glad you're here! In June, 50 SWB Massachusetts participants spent a memorable evening at Gillette Stadium watching the New England Revolution play the game we all love. Outings like this one are not only an opportunity to create lifelong memories and have loads of fun, they are also a valuable way for participants to cultivate new friendships, connect with the local community, and to be inspired by the professional athletes on the pitch. SWB Nicaragua Make a donation to our Nicaragua hub In honor of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, SWB Nicaragua launched the inaugural Copa Mundial Infantil Feminina! The week-long summer tournament took place in Granada and brought together 12 girls teams, six from SWB Nicaragua and six from the local community. The program included an all-female referee team and was developed with the aim of celebrating, uplifting, and promoting women's soccer and getting girls in the game! The tournament was a reflectio of how the world's game continues to have the power to inspire entire communities to come together for positive change. In April, SWB Nicaragua led a girls’ leadership camp in Leon, Nicaragua in partnership with Plan International. The camp, which was designed to strengthen female leadership by empowering girls within local communities, took place over two days and welcomed 50 participants! Training more young women and girls to step into leadership roles across different communities creates more opportunities for leaders who look and sound like their participants, and gives space for people to step into opportunities they might otherwise not have had. SWB Oakland Make a donation to our Oakland hub This past spring, SWB Oakland, in collaboration with Oakland Unified School District, launched our very first Elementary School League for newcomer youth. The league took place over the course of 10 weekends and served over 250 participants ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade. Although designed primarily to provide elementary-aged newcomer youth with a space to build community and an introduction to the game of soccer, one of the league’s most successful and salient results were the opportunities it provided to 17 emerging youth leaders, those who were hired and trained to support the program. Not only were these young people provided with valuable work experience, they were also given the chance to learn a multitude of real-life leadership skills that are sure to benefit them for a lifetime. SWB Oakland’s Tennyson High School Girls’ Team participated in and won the spring edition of the Global Goal Five League, in just their second semester participating! The league is a safe space for girls to learn and grow, and access a supportive community of peers and mentors. This accomplishment is not only a testament to the amazing dedication of the participants at Tennyson High School program site, but also stands as a reminder of the importance of supporting female coaches and leaders to increase girls’ participation in programs, strengthen their leadership skills, and build a more inclusive soccer pitch. SWB Uganda Make a donation to our Uganda hub Ensi Yona, meaning “the whole world” in the Luganda language, is an interactive and educational program designed by SWB Uganda coaches to inspire participants to look at the FIFA Women’s World Cup from a brand new perspective. The program encouraged participants to celebrate fair play just as much as spectacular goals and tournament brackets. Additionally, Ensi Yona enabled youth, regardless of cultural and ethnic background, to seek out positive role models that will inspire them to become the best version of themselves, both on and off the pitch. Back in May, the seventh edition of The Kampala Girls League (KGL) took place in Uganda. Launched in 2019 and expanded in 2020 with support from Beyond Sport and Laureus, this signature program of our SWB Uganda hub was created to provide girls an opportunity to play, compete, connect, have fun, promote fair play, and develop leadership skills. The springtime edition of KGL's free-of-cost, gender equity soccer programming saw 34 community teams take part – totaling over 650 participants! SWB Assist Make a donation to our Gender Equity Programming It was a big year for SWB as two new full-time staff members were hired to lead SWB Assist, an initiative created to support partners to advance gender equity and social inclusion worldwide through capacity-building, program design, and strategy consulting. We were delighted to welcome Nora Dooley as the first-ever Director of SWB Assist and Ryan Walker-Hartshorn as our new Switch the Pitch Program Manager! Empathy, appreciation, safety, vulnerability, awareness, and authenticity – these are the focus areas of our Switch the Pitch inclusive coach training series. The latest installment of the training, launched by Common Goal and led by SWB, was held last October in partnership with the Chicago Fire Academy! During our time in Chicago, we had the amazing opportunity to connect with the passionate and dedicated coaches of the Academy. They took part in fun and enriching activities, challenges, and games designed to spark meaningful discussions on how to make the game more inclusive and equitable for all. This included a deep dive into our Switch the Pitch Team Challenges, experiential learning opportunities built around six strategically-designed modules: identities & perspectives, allyship & collective action, power & policies, activism & leadership, the prevention & response to racism, and access & resources. Staff Quotes: “I have many moments that I keep remembering and really treasure but one of them is the Kampala Girls league. In the recent edition, I watched how it has evolved from eight teams to 34 teams, from not having any female youth council leadership or referees to having four of them – to me this is a win. Increasing girls’ participation in sports also increases their confidence, thus allowing them to take on leadership rules.” - Fahaby, Program Manager at SWB Uganda “One of our students asked to be tutored because they were struggling with one class in particular and wanted some help. We worked on some of those assignments and about a week later that student came to me all excited because they had passed them all and was doing better in that class. It was really exciting to see the joy of success on their face!” - Grace, Coach-Mentor Fellow at SWB Colorado “One of the first players to join my Middle School girls team in Boston back in 2013 is now an alumni of the SWB MA program, and she is playing on a college team! I got to see her at Small Goals Big Change in Boston as she represented the alumni team. She's such a wonderful person and the fact that she continues to identify as an athlete and soccer player is heartwarming! She is and will be a great leader in sport and in life!” - Larkin, Director of Monitoring and Learning “The Breaking Limits Girls Can Football Series, in partnership with Beyond Sport and Rexona, included content created by SWB coaches and leaders from FOUR different SWB Hubs and CIT. The content was centered around themes impacting girls in and around football: self esteem and body image, intersections of gender, race and culture, and safe spaces for her. Coaches all over the world now have access to tools from SWB to support their work with girls.” - Nora, Director of SWB Assist >> Learn more about SWB United: Play It Forward 2023 >> Donate to SWB

Soccer Without Borders has been named as a 2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations! The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the impressive number of positive reviews that Soccer Without Borders has received from volunteers, partners and donors that reflect the on-the-ground results, experiences, and culture at Soccer Without Borders. One volunteer wrote: “I have had the immense pleasure to witness firsthand how the program benefits the kids it serves. I've seen the kids grow as leaders, make new friends, improve their English, improve their school grades, and just have fun with their friends on the soccer field. Not only does SWB benefit the youth it serves, but it also benefits me as a volunteer.” SWB programs are designed for young people to develop agency, a sense of belonging, promote positive identity, and the skills to contribute. Our holistic model combines soccer, education, and community activities, while proactively reducing barriers to entry that typically leave newcomer refugee and immigrant youth excluded. We encourage you to visit Soccer Without Borders on GreatNonprofits to view more information about the Top-Rated award or to leave a review based on your own SWB experiences.

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Littleton to the SWB Board of Directors. Michael joins us with a wealth of experience in a number of industries including sports nutrition, manufacturing, real estate and, most recently, the nonprofit sector. Currently residing in Oakland, California, Michael's journey with SWB began in the spring of 2020 when he became an integral member of SWB Oakland's Advisory Board. As we extend a warm welcome to Michael as a member of the Board of Directors, he shared his thoughts on what initially drew him to SWB and which aspects of the role excite him most: Can you describe your personal connection with the game of soccer or with SWB’s mission specifically? I grew up in the UK. Some of my earliest memories are of the game, and in particular the 1970 Men’s World Cup. I remember the bitter disappointment of England losing in the Quarter Finals (something my country folk have got quite used to) as well as being mesmerized by the wonderful Brazil team throughout the tournament and particularly in the Final. My son and daughter both played competitively growing up in Oakland, with my son going on to play at college, semi-pro in the UK and with the Oakland Roots. Though my own (extremely modest) playing days are well behind me, I still love watching the game at all levels. These days soccer is such an international sport, that it seems the perfect place for so many young people to meet, make friends and learn from each other as well as everyone else involved with SWB. How did you first get involved in or connected to SWB? I was introduced to Ben Gucciardi after I asked someone with an extensive background in non-profits to nominate an organization that they really admired. I went on to meet Ben at Oakland International High School where I could immediately tell how engaged so many of the students were with the program. Ben invited me to apply to join the Oakland Advisory Board where I have served for almost four years. What inspires you to continue to be a part of SWB? I’ve been immensely impressed by everyone I’ve ever met at SWB. Their passion, hard work and commitment to the mission just shines through every time I interact with anyone within the organization. I have also become increasingly aware of the extensive individual challenges that so many newcomer students face. In addition, they are arriving in a political climate that has become more and more negative toward them. I am inspired to be part of an organization that utterly rejects this negativity and works so hard to create an inclusive and accepting space where all of them can feel valued and cared about. What are you looking forward to most about joining the Board of Directors? I’ve already learned a great deal while working with the Oakland Advisory Board and I’m definitely looking forward to working more closely with, and learning from, many more people across the organization. I’m hopeful we can build on the significant strengths that SWB already possesses in order that we can serve a larger number of students and enable more and more positive outcomes. Is there anything else you’d like to share? One of my absolutely favorite days at SWB was attending the end of year event for the boys teams in 2022 at Oakland International High School. I was struck by two things: First, the large number of countries that the boys had come from and second, by the incredible, positive energy in the room and by how wonderfully supportive everyone was for each other. Welcome Michael, we’re glad you’re here! >> Meet more of our Board Members >> Inquire about volunteering with SWB

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to announce a renewed four-year partnership with Capelli Sport as our “Official and Exclusive Gameday Uniform Provider” for all SWB participants and coaches. Capelli Sport was founded in 2011 by President George Altirs, with the mission to provide quality, functionality and design for high-level performance on the field. The brand’s innovative, world-class training gear, equipment and uniforms have yielded many global recreational, youth, club, collegiate, semi-professional and professional sports partnerships and is distributed in more than 32 countries worldwide. Capelli Sport became a core SWB partner and uniform provider in 2019, contributing to SWB's growing impact and reach. By the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in North America, SWB will have served over 50,000 youth through our direct-service programs and will have reached tens of thousands more through our SWB Assist-led accelerators, trainings, and initiatives happening around the globe. With the generous support of Capelli Sport, SWB participants of all ages and skill levels - from Oakland to Kampala - will have the opportunity to wear high quality uniforms, providing them with a feeling of excitement and a sense of unity that comes from being part of a team. “It is an honor to continue Soccer Without Borders' partnership with Capelli Sport as we increase our impact through soccer with newcomers and marginalized youth around the world,” said Jennifer Tepper, Executive Director of Soccer Without Borders. “Capelli Sport’s and SWB's continued partnership over the next few years signals our unwavering commitment to providing safe, affordable, quality access to soccer for all SWB youth. It also models the significance of game day apparel for our youth, volunteers, and staff by exemplifying unity, team cohesion, positive identity formation, and community belonging. We look forward to amplifying these intangible benefits of our partnership on the global stage as we welcome the World Cup to North America in a few short years." As a clear sign of teamwork and collaboration between SWB and Capelli Sport, Capelli Sport’s Corporate Strategy Manager, Tommaso Vitale, has decided to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon as part of Team SWB! Tommaso has worked closely with SWB for many years and has played an important role in ensuring strong communication between both sides of the partnerships. And now, as part of Team SWB, Tommaso has raised over $4,000 for SWB while ensuring that his NYC Marathon teammates will suit up in Capelli Sport running gear on race day. Learn more about Tommaso and his experience leading the partnership between SWB and Capelli over the last four years: How did you first get involved in or connected to SWB? The very first time I came across SWB was in September 2019 during an event put together by Beyond Sport. Fast forward two years, after joining Capelli Sport, I became the Account Manager for the SWB/Capelli partnership! It was great to get this opportunity, even though the two organizations had already had a strong relationship. How funny is life!? Since the beginning, I very much enjoyed working with the people at the organization for their flexibility, appreciation, and ease to work with as they thrive to accomplish great things for underserved communities using the best tool out there…soccer! What inspires you to continue to be a part of SWB? It is refreshing to keep working with an organization that is invested in doing good for the community. By osmosis, this translates positively on the people and organizations revolving around SWB, including me and Capelli Sport. How are you feeling about running the marathon? I am feeling very excited and at the same time nervous! After months of training, I feel excited, ready, and open to fully enjoy the marathon experience and vibes of NYC. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. (Although, I hope I do not get the bug of running marathons after this one!) >> Meet our 2023 TCs NYC Marathon team >> Learn more about our national and global partners About Soccer Without Borders Soccer Without Borders serves refugee and immigrant youth from more than 65 countries of origin through its free, year-round youth development programs. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Soccer Without Borders programs are designed for young people to develop agency, a sense of belonging, promote positive identity, and the skills to contribute. Our holistic model combines soccer, education, and community activities, while proactively reducing barriers to entry that typically leave newcomer refugee and immigrant youth excluded. About Capelli Sport Capelli Sport is a global multi-sports brand based in New York City, specializing in team sports. Our passion for creating products from lifestyle apparel to footwear and performance match kits enables athletes and teams to maximize their success on the field and beyond. Capelli Sport supports all athletes through a unique global sports ecosystem with a focus on service excellence. Learn more at capellisport.com and find Capelli Sport on Instagram (@CapelliSport).

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to welcome Ryan Walker-Hartshorn as the Program Manager of Switch the Pitch, a first-of-its-kind collective movement to unite the US soccer community around anti-racist education and action. A graduate of Stanford University and former player on the Stanford Women’s Soccer Team, Ryan comes to us with extensive experience as a talented journalist, published writer, and strategic communicator. Combining these skills with a passion for representation in soccer, Ryan has already proven herself to be a valuable contributor to Switch the Pitch programming. Combining team challenges, a virtual league, and a coach training series, Switch the Pitch was developed in collaboration with Common Goal, America Scores, and Soccer in the Streets. The innovative movement was designed to provide an interactive and experiential opportunity for coaches and youth players to take action and to make the game (and the world) more inclusive and equitable for all. Continue reading to learn more about Ryan, what brought her to SWB, and which aspects of the role of Switch the Pitch Program Manager excite her most: What is your “why” for working at SWB? I used to be a player and now I want to continue positively impacting the game I’ve known my entire life. Growing up, I was one of few Black girls on my teams and that was hard. Hard not to see myself reflected on the team or in the coaching staff. So getting a chance to work on Switch the Pitch has made me excited to make an impact on the game from a different perspective. What has been your journey in soccer so far? I’ve played soccer my entire life – a highlight was definitely playing in college. I’ve struggled with a lot of injuries (which is never fun). I wanted to play professionally but decided not to pursue that after I ruptured my achilles tendon last December. Despite these setbacks, I’m really grateful for my time on the pitch. What mantra speaks to you the most, and why? Celebrate the pass more than the goal. Things are always evolving and changing – we are never done growing. It’s important to celebrate the growth behind the goal. What about getting girls into the game is meaningful to you? Getting girls to the game is important to me, particularly Black girls. Representation matters. Nowadays, there are so many professional Black footballers you can look up to and that’s amazing! I look forward to watching how the game continues to evolve. What has been your favorite part of managing Switch the Pitch so far? It’s only been about a month [since I joined Soccer Without Borders], so I’m still making memories. But right now, meeting all the folks I get to work with has been my favorite part. Especially at the Coach Foundations training that recently took place in Boston. Additionally, It was great to be a part of my first Switch the Pitch training session with the Chicago Fire Academy! People were willing to have hard conversations and to really “go there” and get comfortable being uncomfortable. I appreciated that. It’s brave. And necessary. I look forward to continuing this work and moving toward a more inclusive culture in football. Is there anything else you’d like to share? What I love most about football is the opportunity to connect with people from all over the globe. The shared passion for the sport is truly remarkable. I love playing pick-up games at home and abroad. These moments hold a special place in my heart as some of my most cherished memories. They're unique experiences and I’ve made friendships to last a lifetime. >> Follow Switch the Pitch on Instagram >> View Highlights from the Chicago Fire Academy Inclusive Coach Training

The International Board of Sustainable Businesses and Global Innovation (Entreps) in collaboration with the United Nations, has named Soccer Without Borders (SWB) a winner of the 5th Global Entreps Awards in the category of “Best International Practice on Sustainability.” Voted upon by a network of 1,000 global jurors consisting of diplomats, public figures, researchers and influential citizens working towards sustainability and governance, the award stands in recognition of SWB’s contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of seventeen objectives designed to serve as a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” Soccer Without Borders was chosen from a pool of 1,912 projects and initiatives from 126 countries and regions for our mission of using soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. SWB programs are designed for young people to develop agency, a sense of belonging, promote positive identity, and the skills to contribute. Our holistic model combines soccer, education, and community activities, while proactively reducing barriers to entry that typically leave newcomer refugee and immigrant youth excluded. “The soccer field is one of the few places where newcomer youth immediately feel confident, valued, familiar, and like they can express themselves and contribute,” says SWB Founder Ben Gucciardi. Specifically focusing upon SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SWB’s direct service programming serves over 4,000 youth per year coming from 75 countries of origin and speaking 54 different languages. Since its inception in 2006, regular SWB participants in the United States have maintained a 90% or greater high school graduation rate. Compared to a typical high school graduation rate of 63% for English Language Learners nationwide, participation in SWB makes it ~30% more likely that youth will receive their high school diploma. Based in the city of Granada, SWB’s Nicaragua hub specializes on gender equity programming and utilizes soccer as a way to build leadership, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen social-emotional skills for underserved girls, ages 5-20. SWB Nicaragua operates 11 teams, offering activities and access to our youth center 45 weeks per year, 6 days per week. “We are incredibly honored to receive the 'Best International Practice on Sustainability' award,” says Gucciardi. “Not only does this recognition acknowledge our dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable world through soccer, but also highlights the critical role of sports in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is pleased to announce that Adaobi Okafor has been named to the SWB Board of Directors. Adaobi comes to us with over a decade of experience at Trees for the Future, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve livelihoods of impoverished farmers by revitalizing degraded lands. Currently serving as Director of Finance, Adaobi earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry from Georgetown University before obtaining a Masters of Science in Business Analysis from The Catholic University of America. Learn more about Adaobi, her love for soccer, the importance of impact, and what inspired her to join the SWB Board of Directors. Can you describe your personal connection with the game of soccer? I'm Nigerian, born and raised in Nigeria. I got interested in soccer because of how passionate everybody was about the game – everyone had their favorite teams and their favorite clubs and it just brought everyone together. I would sit next to my dad and watch games with him. Eventually, I found myself actually getting passionate about what was going on, cheering when everybody was cheering and learning the rules of the game and the terminology. I just love the way soccer can make people become fast friends – it is the fastest icebreaker. You sit next to somebody and you're best of friends because you cheer for the same club or you're supporting the same country. And then all of a sudden you can have much more in-depth conversations because you've already formed this intense bond during a very quick meeting. How did you first get involved in or connected to SWB? I am quite new to SWB. I just learned about your organization from Jennifer [Tepper], your Executive Director. I worked with her a couple of years ago and I learned more about the organization when she became the Executive Director. Although I just recently learned about SWB, I was immediately impressed with your mission and your reach, with the impact you're having on youth, girls in particular and refugees too. What inspires you to continue to be a part of SWB? I work in the nonprofit space, so I pay close attention to impact when I review other nonprofits. I am like: What kind of impact are they making? What long-term impacts are you having on the community beyond just the most visible things that you do? [At Trees for the Future], we plant trees, but our impact on the community is getting people out of poverty. These types of layers are what I look for in a nonprofit. I was really impressed by the kind of impact that SWB has had. What are you looking forward to most about joining the Board of Directors? I am looking forward to being able to contribute in my own small way to the mission and support where I can. A couple of years ago I became the new Deputy Director of Finance and I was greatly impacted by our board. They really helped me put subsystems in place and helped guide me as we were going through a major transition. The board was invaluable to me, [they were] just really impactful and helpful. So that is definitely something I am looking forward to, to pay it forward to another organization. Is there anything else you'd like to share? I would just like to reiterate that I am really excited to become part of the organization. I am looking forward to contributing in any way that I can, to support the mission and to encourage the work that is being done across the country and the world – to build upon that and to have great long lasting impacts. Welcome Adaobi, we’re glad you’re here! >> Meet more of our Board Members >> Inquire about volunteering with SWB