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This past spring, our Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Oakland hub, 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 SWB Oakland’s 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. During the Elementary School League, SWB Oakland employed 17 youth leaders as paid interns, coaches, field leads, and more. Additionally, in the lead up to the league, these youth leaders received 20 hours of training covering leadership styles and strengths, sports-based youth development best practices, safeguarding measures, techniques for leading activities, and more. One of those youth leaders was Sultan, an 18 year old SWB participant originally from Afghanistan. Sultan not only coached one of the league teams, but he recruited more than a dozen players from the Afghan community – many of whom had only recently arrived in the United States – to join the league. “On one of the last days, during the downtime between morning and afternoon sessions,” recalled Program Coordinator Patrick Robinson, “I looked up during my lunch break to notice the youth leaders, each of their own accord, leading and entertaining a small group of participants in various activities. I felt at that moment like my job was done…they were now displaying the agency to lead groups even when they were between programming sessions.” One SWB focus area is providing pathways for youth to develop leadership skills — skills that can be carried on throughout the course of their lives at school, work, and in their communities. According to research by the Brookings Institute, engagement in youth employment programs predicts higher job quality and income by age 23. Recognizing the multifaceted benefits of creating programs for youth employment and professional development, SWB Oakland included internships for older SWB participants within the design of the Elementary League from the start. “Many of these youth leaders are Soccer Without Borders participants themselves [on high school teams], and therefore already had a strong foundation of SWB’s culture and values,” says Patrick. “They came to us with a strong understanding of inclusion, positive youth development through sport, and the SWB curriculum. This helped them transition seamlessly into leadership roles.” Throughout the course of the program, the youth leaders grew in self-confidence, initiative, and agency. They formed positive relationships with the elementary school participants, acting as key role models who they could relate to and see themselves becoming. Just as importantly, youth leaders also forged bonds with each other, making new friendships across genders and programs while strengthening the web of connections at SWB. “I learned a lot of things – one is to always try everything, [because] we never know what is going to happen if we don’t try,” said Jenny, a youth leader. “Now I am not that scared to have another job.” The first season of the league showed promising results among both youth participants and youth leaders, including: 100% of youth leaders surveyed reported feeling more confident in themselves 97% of K-2 grade participants surveyed reported learning something new 94% of K-2 grade participants surveyed reported that their coaches helped them 90% of 3-5th grade participants surveyed agreed or strongly agreed they felt included as a part of a team, and 0% disagreed 90% of youth leaders surveyed reported a newfound understanding about how children learn 85% of youth leaders surveyed reported feeling more confident while leading groups “Out of my time playing a variety of sports like volleyball, soccer, and football, I notice that people who play sports are prone to be in a more positive mood after a practice,” said youth leader Veronica. “Soccer Without Borders encourages people from all different ages to leave all the negatives behind when playing soccer.” SWB Oakland's inaugural Elementary School League was made possible with the support of the Oakland Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Program. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to our friends and partners at the Oakland Unified School District and Eat.Learn.Play., as well as to the league’s organizers, youth leaders, participants, and more. Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork was crucial in making the Elementary School League a success! >> Learn more about our approach to creating leadership pathways >> Learn more about the year-round programing happening at our hubs

This past summer, our Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Maryland hub was featured in a special report by local news affiliate Fox 45 Baltimore. The feature, which focuses on the newcomer experience and the way that the world's game has the power to create positive change, shines a spotlight on two of our current youth leaders, Alex and Semira. "For Alex and Semira," said SWB Maryland Director Nick Brooks. "Soccer represents a place where they grew and became leaders. I watched them both go from quiet young kids who were learning English and we're getting used to life in Baltimore, to being vocal leaders who are standing up as coaches and referees who are confidently explaining the rules of the game. I think soccer to them represents their hopes and their goals." If designed with intention, team sports present endless opportunities to practice leadership skills. At SWB, we create opportunities for participants to develop their leadership through captainships, refereeing, coaching, public speaking, mentoring, service projects, and more. Alex and Semira are both incredible examples of those who have made this leadership journey, those who have transitioned from participants to coaches. By truly reflecting those they serve, Alex and Semira are able to be authentic role models who can relate to the lived experiences of the youth they now coach. "It's more than just a program," reflected Semira. "It's more than just soccer. It's more than just classes. It's like a life lesson here." SWB uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change in the United States, Nicaragua, and Uganda. Each year, we serve more than 4,000 newcomer refugee and immigrant youth aged 5 to 20, arriving from 65 different countries and speaking 47 different languages. Our work combines soccer play and instruction with education and community-building activities in a year-round program model that helps young people like Alex and Semira overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. >> Learn more about our methods >> Learn about our approach to leadership pathways

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is excited to announce the 11 members of our 2023 TCS New York City Marathon team! United through their love for soccer and enthusiasm for SWB, this diverse team of runners come to us from cities across the USA. On Sunday, November 5th, Team SWB will be among a race field of 50,000 people winding their way through New York City's five boroughs. “For the past 7 years, SWB has been a charity partner for the TCS NYC Marathon,” says SWB Advancement Manager Bridget Black. “We always cherish the opportunity to connect with a new community and utilize the same team-building tactics for runners as we do for our youth teams.” “For over seven months,” explained Bridget, “Team SWB has trained together, cheered for each other, exchanged fundraising tips, and shared anecdotes about their personal lives. It's incredible to watch the team camaraderie grow! Beyond the friendships that are built within this team of runners, we're grateful to Team SWB for the funds they raise! Their fundraising efforts enable us to expand our soccer, education, and community-building programming for newcomer youth across the United States, Nicaragua and Uganda!” The TCS New York City Marathon is a major fundraising event for Soccer Without Borders and the runners have the opportunity to support a specific hub, girls programming, or all SWB programs. Meet Team SWB 2023: Asayat Camarena (Tampa, Florida) Supporting All SWB Programs From leadership skills to cross-cultural understanding, Asayat has learned so much from soccer. Now he wants to make sure that all kids, no matter their backgrounds, have access to the game. The New York City Marathon gave Asayat the opportunity to train and run with purpose; he is proud to represent SWB and to give children the chance to lace up their boots for the sport that brought him so much joy. Erik Daly (Macungie, Pennsylvania) Supporting SWB Girls’ Programming Erik is excited to give back to the game that has provided him with so much. From life-long lessons, to lasting friendships, to the ability to work with children and young people as a coach, soccer has always been a special place for Erik. He chose to run the New York City Marathon in support of SWB to help give young people the opportunity to experience the power of the game like he has. Kerri Darling (West Long Branch, New Jersey) Supporting SWB Massachusetts Programs Kerri is honored to be running in support of the great initiatives and mission of SWB. Over the past 30 years, soccer has always been a major component of Kerri's life and now she is excited to be part of a cause that helps introduce and instill the benefits of soccer to younger generations. Drew Dworkin (New York, NY) Supporting All SWB Programs Soccer, squash, tennis and more – Drew is a lifelong lover of sports. Having played soccer all over the country and all around the world, he is excited to be able to support SWB and help others find happiness from the sport as well! Daring Kaul (Chatham, New Jersey) Supporting All SWB Programs Daring is an avid runner and a former soccer player. He believes in the positive change that soccer can bring to youth and is therefore supporting All SWB Programs as he attempts his very first marathon Joseph Milbury (New York, New York) Supporting SWB Oakland Programs Sports have changed Joseph’s life and provided him with an outlet for stress, taught him discipline, and provided him with a better quality of life. He loves the fact that SWB provides these same opportunities to others, including all of the work that we do off of the field as well. Melissa Morales (Rockville, New York) Supporting All SWB Programs Melissa is a first-time marathon runner who is thrilled to run on behalf of SWB. As a first- generation American who was raised on the soccer field (as her dad led a soccer league for immigrants), she saw how the game connects and empowers young people and adults alike. Melissa is excited to raise money for an organization that makes soccer more accessible to young people around the world. Soraya Morales Nuñez (Stanford, California) Supporting SWB Oakland Programs Arriving in the United States when she was two, Soraya has become an advocate for newcomer youth and is passionate about ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. An avid distance runner, Soraya will be running the 2023 NYC Marathon on behalf of SWB Oakland. Natasha Qidwai (Atlanta, Georgia) Supporting SWB Massachusetts Programs Natasha is a member of the SWB Massachusetts Advisory Board and ran the marathon for SWB in 2019. When she volunteered with SWB Massachusetts, she was in awe of the program’s influence on young female players. Natasha hopes that one day her daughter will find an organization as inspirational as SWB. Fiona Ruddy (Oakland, California) Supporting SWB Girls' Programming Fiona is excited to run in support of SWB Girls' Programming in order to help advance gender equity in soccer. As a huge women's soccer fan and former college player, Fiona hopes that through pounding the pavement for SWB, more women will have opportunities to fall in love with the beautiful game! Tommaso Vitale (New York, New York) Supporting All SWB Programs Tommaso works for Capelli Sport, a long-time, valued partner of SWB. Tomasso has had running the New York Marathon on his bucket list for a while now, and believes that doing it in support of a good cause and behalf of others will make the experience even better.

From July 20th to August 20th, 2023, the world's collective gaze was fixed upon the largest women's sporting event on Earth: the FIFA Women's World Cup. It was a time to cheer on our football heroes as they proudly took to the pitch in their national colors. On the field, we saw remarkable runs and shocking upsets, debut teams making history and games decided by millimeters. On the sidelines, we saw legends speak about the rise of the women's game and we saw record breaking attendance and viewership numbers. Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is proud to be a leader in a global movement to make the world of soccer, and the world as a whole, a place where girls and women are valued, included, and celebrated. As we look back, we celebrate the accomplishments achieved and barriers broken so far: We've seen SWB participant girls grow into SWB leaders and coaches, Coach Fahaby and Coach Michell participated as youth delegates at Festival '23, eight-days of learning, growing, networking, and celebrating football for good Global Goal 5 Accelerators have now become Equal Play Effect, and continue to drive change in East Africa, Europe, Latin America, the USA, and beyond Special Women's World Cup-inspired tournaments took place at our Nicaragua and Uganda hubs, each designed to lift up women's soccer in their local communities SWB Co-Founder Mary Connor spoke at the Equality Summit, a convening of sports for development leaders designed to drive the equality agenda forward To date, SWB has served more than 10,000 girls through our TEAM programs, most of whom are playing an organized sport for the very first time! The World Cup is about more than just reflection and celebration, though, it's also about recognizing the work ahead of us. The truth is, despite the strides that have been made, less than 12% of participants in the 'worlds game' identify as female. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, we believe that together, we can continue to create a more equitable and inclusive world through soccer. ​ Throughout the FIFA Women's World Cup, the SWB community – including participants, volunteers, coaches, staff, and friends – took time to share their own wishes for women's soccer. Although the 2023 edition of the Women's World Cup may be behind us, these heartfelt calls for gender equity in soccer remain as important and relevant as ever. >> Dozens of passionate fans, coaches, and SWB participants left wishes for women's soccer on our #MyWishSWB Kudoboard, read them here! Week 1 Video Recap Week 2 Video Recap Week 3 Video Recap Week 4 Video Recap If you didn't have the opportunity to donate during the Women's World Cup, it's not too late! We work year-round to advance gender equity on the pitch, on the sidelines, in organizations, and beyond. >> Click here to make a donation in support of our vision for a more inclusive and equitable world through soccer.

Every four years, the FIFA Women’s World Cup captures the attention of the entire footballing world, bringing women’s sports into the limelight for fans and athletes everywhere. As the 2023 edition of the tournament continues to shatter viewership and attendance records, we are reminded of the incredible power of soccer to inspire, to build community, and to drive positive change. In the pursuit of gender equity in sports, it is vital for girls to have role models and mentors to look up to. When a young person sees players and coaches that look like and talk like them, they begin to believe that they too have what it takes to get in the game. This is what we mean by “if she can see it, she can be it.” This is especially true in a global tournament like the Women’s World Cup, where professional athletes from around the world compete. Young fans and aspiring athletes are finally able to cheer for teams, players, and role models who happen to wave their same flag, sing their same anthem, and speak their same language. But what about those who don’t have a country to cheer for in the Women’s World Cup? Even though the 2023 tournament was expanded to 32 teams, there are still millions around the world who won’t have the opportunity to cheer for a team which represents their home nation. At SWB Uganda – where many youth participants arrived in Kampala in search of safety and stability after fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and more – this is especially true. This is where Ensi Yona for Her, a new program at our SWB Uganda hub, comes in. Ensi Yona for Her (ensi yona, meaning “the whole world” in the Luganda language) is an interactive and educational program designed to inspire SWB participants to look at the 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. This allowed youth participants, regardless of cultural and ethnic background, to get excited about the World Cup in a brand new way. It provided opportunities for youth to seek out positive role models that inspire them to become the best version of themselves, both on the pitch and off. Here is how it worked: Learning and Understanding Youth participants from SWB Uganda gathered together for a program brief in advance of watching their first World Cup match. In this brief, they got the chance to learn all there is to know about the Women’s World Cup. They learned about the tournament’s history, its challenges, and why it has become such an important tool in the pursuit of gender equity in sports. Participants were quizzed about their newfound Women’s World Cup knowledge and those who volunteered an answer were rewarded with a small prize. Watching and Enjoying Every participating SWB team watched either one or two matches together as a group (either live or prerecorded, depending on time zones). Taking place after the team had completed their afternoon classes at the Uganda Youth Center, these viewing sessions were a special treat for a hard day’s work of study and language learning. Observing and Reflecting After the final whistle, participants partook in a 30 minute feedback session. Not only was this a chance to celebrate their favorite moments from the game, but more importantly, it was an opportunity for participants to reflect on the match on a deeper level. They shared their personal insights and emotions while watching, they identified instances of fair play, positive behavior, interesting tactics, and moments of joy (because you play best when you’re smiling!) At the end of this session, each participant was asked to focus on something that stood out for them from the match and to think about how they can apply it on the pitch. Playing and Growing After every team had the opportunity to watch and reflect on at least one Women’s World Cup match, then it was time to lace up some boots and get in the game! Ensi Yona for Her culminated with a mixed-gender, eight versus eight tournament. Every team was set up to have a balanced number of girls and boys as well as a balanced number of experienced and beginner players. As a team, they were tasked to come up with a name inspired by one of the 32 teams that have participated in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. From there, each team appointed a female captain whose role was to lead, coordinate, manage substitutes, and more. The tournament kicked off with an opening circle where participants themselves got the chance to decide upon the rules (and were encouraged to reward teams for fair play as learned from watching the Women’s World Cup). SWB coaches were there to facilitate and identify those participants who stood out as leaders, who were the most engaged, played most fairly, communicated well, and more. Ensi Yona for Her, was designed to ensure that all youth participants, no matter their background, can find something on the pitch to be inspired by. While the fact remains that most SWB Uganda participants may not have had a home country to cheer for during the Women’s World Cup, Ensi Yona provided opportunities to find and identify role models of great character, those who they can look up to on and off the pitch. >> Keep up with the latest happenings at SWB Uganda by following their hub Facebook and Instagram pages >> View the latest SWB Uganda Hub Report, looking back at mission moments and impact stats from 2022

Highlights from our June 22, 2023 event, From Displacement to Belonging: Soccer's Impact on the Refugee Experience. Every refugee's journey is unique, but one thing that unites the stories of former refugees and current Soccer Without Borders (SWB) staff members Hajar Abulfazl and Jeremiah Lukeka is the power of soccer to create belonging and build a sense of home. The special event, which took place on June 22, was held in honor of World Refugee Day and came off the heels of a sobering new report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) Global Trends Report. At the end of 2022, the worldwide number of displaced people grew to 108.4 million, up 19.1 million from last year. This is the largest ever increase. This means that more than 1 in every 74 people on Earth have been forced to flee. While children under the age of 18 account for 30% of the world's population, they make up 40% of displaced people. Solutions to the crises driving displacement must be coordinated and come from the highest levels of global power. But that does not mean there is nothing we can do. On the ground and in communities, we can welcome and support those most affected as they seek a new place to call home. During the event, From Displacement to Belonging: Soccer’s Impact on the Refugee Experience, our panelists opened up about their personal experiences of displacement, the challenges faced by newcomers, and how soccer has the power to make a positive impact in the lives of refugees. Our panelists included: Hajar Abulfazl; originally from Afghanistan, Hajar is a former co-captain of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team, a former delegate to the UN Youth Assembly, and an activist for girls and women's rights in Afghanistan. Jeremiah Lukeka; originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and currently residing in Boston, Jerry moved to Uganda as a refugee at the age of 16. An SWB alumnus who eventually became the Hub's Director, Jerry quickly became an integral member of the SWB team. Ryan Gitonga; the event was moderated by Ryan Gitonga. Originally from Kenya and now residing in Baltimore, Ryan is a Senior Program Coordinator with SWB. “I was so surprised how much we have in common,” shared Hajar. “A girl from Afghanistan to a girl from South America, a girl from the Middle East to a girl from Africa, we all go through the same problems and we need to support each other. This is what soccer does, it brings all of us together.” >> Click here to watch the event in its entirety >> Learn more about SWB’s approach to serving refugee and newcomer youth

Year-round in Nicaragua, Uganda, and the United States, we work hard to eliminate obstacles that too often keep underserved youth from participating in the game they love: programs across all six of our hubs are free of charge, transportation is provided, and necessary equipment is supplied. We utilize evidence-based programming and trauma-informed coaching strategies that are designed to create a safe space where our participants can heal, where they can find belonging, and where they have the opportunity to grow to reach their greatest potential. In addition to these unified approaches, each of our hubs are also intentional about 'meeting youth where they are' while working to reflect the local community being served. Therefore, we believe that program delivery is at its best when hubs have the autonomy to bring in curricula, partners, and other local assets that unlock opportunities to address the unique challenges and specific needs of a community. Below, you'll find links to each of our 2022 SWB Hub Reports. Within the reports, you'll find stories of impact, meaningful statistics and outcomes, staff and partner spotlights, financial overviews, and much more. It is the perfect way to learn more about a nearby hub or to get to know a hub that is new to you! Colorado Hub Report Maryland Hub Report Massachusetts Hub Report Nicaragua Hub Report Oakland Hub Report Uganda Hub Report >> Read our org-wide Annual Report for 2022 >> Stay up to date by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter >> Sign up for our email newsletter to keep in touch

In a soccer game, the halftime whistle is a time to step back, reflect, and discuss the things that have gone well (and those which could have been better) in preparation for the next half. As we enter the summer season, the halfway mark of the calendar year, we’re excited to do just that – to reflect upon and celebrate some of the most impactful mission moments from the past spring season. Looking back at the first six months of the year, there is little doubt that the Soccer Without Borders (SWB) community has a lot of incredible accomplishments to be proud of. Through trauma-informed methodologies and locally-developed strategies adapted to meet youth where they are, our hubs in Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nicaragua, Oakland, and Uganda have worked tirelessly to ensure that the SWB mission is advanced. Here are just a few highlights that encompass our areas of focus and impact: supporting refugee and newcomer youth, promoting gender equity, forging new leadership pathways, and focusing on youth development. Refugee and Newcomer Youth SWB leverages soccer, the world’s global language, to provide newcomers and refugees with the opportunity to plug into a safe and welcoming space where they can find community, build friendships, receive academic support, and so much more. These highlights are emblematic of SWB’s work to create belonging for newcomers. On January 21st, SWB Colorado partnered with Muslim Youth for Positive Impact (MYPI) – a local non-profit that aims to empower youth to make a difference in their communities – to host a clinic for newcomer Afghan youth, themed, “Welcome! We’re Glad You’re Here.” Approximately 40 participants between the ages of 3 and 18 got the opportunity to come together in a safe space to play games and make new friends. At the end of April, SWB Uganda took 68 participants on an end-of-semester educational tour at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center. The trip was to honor the excellent attendance of these participants, their positive attitudes, and their contributions to their communities. Events like these which happen off of the soccer pitch provide participants with an opportunity to experience new things while celebrating their individual achievements and personal growth. For the first time ever, SWB Massachusetts teams all played on one single field this past spring. Coaches drove participants from Springfield (two hours away), to join participants from Somerville, Chelsea and East Boston teams on SWB’s home turf field. Moments like these expand participants’ sense of community, widening supportive connections between participants and coaches and forging new friendships. Gender Equity At SWB we address barriers of all kinds to make sure that girls from diverse cultural backgrounds have opportunities to get in the game. Our gender equity strategies also include boys and men in these important efforts, discussing positive masculinity, healthy relationships, and ways to build authentic allyship. Here are some springtime highlights which have worked to advance these efforts. At SWB Oakland the newly formed Tennyson High School Girls’ Team participated in and won the spring edition of the Global Goal Five League, just their second semester participating. The league is a safe space for girls 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 coaches and female leaders to increase girls’ participation in programs, strengthen their own leadership skills, and build a more inclusive soccer pitch. At SWB Nicaragua, or Fútbol Sin Fronteras (FSF) as it is known locally, alumna coach Reyna Roblero was presented with an award for “Outstanding Female Athlete of the Municipality of Granada in Women’s Football.” The award honored her unwavering commitment to leadership and her promotion and delivery of soccer programs for girls in Granada. The 7th edition of the Kampala Girls League brought together an astounding 650 girls from 34 teams. The event has grown steadily over the years, and become one of the mainstays of programming at SWB Uganda due to its ability to advance gender equality on the soccer pitch and to provide girls at the grassroots level a platform to play, compete, connect, have fun, promote fair play, and develop leadership skills. 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. Leadership Pathways When designed with thought and care, soccer spaces can provide meaningful and lasting opportunities for both individual and community development. At SWB, we use our spaces to create opportunities for participants to develop their leadership through captainship, refereeing, coaching, public speaking, mentoring, and more. Here are a few examples of leadership pathways at work: Brian Vazquez, an SWB alumnus from Boston, recently attended a series of coach training sessions which will enable him to step into a formal coaching role for SWB Massachusetts! We absolutely love providing pathways for program alumni to become SWB coaches. Not only does this provide former participants with new opportunities for growth and work experience, but it also allows them to become role models to younger participants, showing them that they too can someday step into similar roles of leadership. SWB Oakland held its first ever Elementary School League which spanned more than ten weeks and brought together hundreds of elementary-aged newcomers. The league was not only a success for the young participants, but it also provided valuable leadership opportunities for older SWB participants who served as coaches, referees, field liaisons, and other paid interns. SWB Nicaragua led a girls’ leadership camp in the city of 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. Youth Development SWB’s approach is centered around meaningful relationships; we strengthen the social fabric of the teams, schools, and communities we are a part of by ensuring that each individual young person feels seen, valued, and supported. We provide safe, supportive, and inclusive environments in which youth form strong connections with peers and supportive adults, where they are safe to be themselves and to explore new ideas and competencies, and where their inherent potential is recognized. All year round, these youth development approaches can be seen across SWB programs and activities. Here are a few spotlights from this past spring: The Vanguard Middle School program site at SWB Maryland held Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) groups throughout the spring. During this time, boys’ groups participated in Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM), a comprehensive violence prevention program for middle school and high school aged boys designed by our partners at FUTURES Without Violence. Meanwhile, the Vanguard Middle School girls were able to participate in a Leaders in Training session. The girls’ group covered topics like empathy, mental health, self-respect, and body image, and was a place where girls could have the space to explore these topics, work on their confidence and learn how to lead, advocate for themselves and thrive in coed spaces. SEL groups like these teach students essential skills such as managing emotions, setting positive goals, showing empathy, building positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. At our Oakland hub, we piloted a new initiative called the Behavioral Health Program, an innovative program designed to support a participant's mental and behavioral health. Led by UCSF Post-Doctoral Fellow Swapandeep (Swap) Mushiana, the program guides coaches and players through an eight-session plan that is anchored in self determination theory, and seeks to facilitate autonomy, relatedness, and competency via goal-setting, “teammates”, and reinforcing strengths. The program supports youth to overcome obstacles by leveraging their unique skills and their communities to forge new pathways to success. At SWB Colorado, two middle school girls’ programs — one from our Greeley site and one from Aurora site — met for a friendly match with mixed teams of participants from both of these Colorado-based sites. The match was refereed by two high school girls and a celebration was held afterwards to honor the ways in which SWB’s newcomer community was able to grow and connect with one another. Connecting participants in this way helped them realize how a community is larger than just one site or neighborhood. Instead, we are stronger when we are able to connect with and support one another. These highlights are merely a snapshot of the incredible work that is done at SWB every single day. We are grateful to everybody within the SWB community – staff, volunteers, partners, board members, donors, participants, parents, and more – for their dedication to the mission of using soccer as a vehicle for positive change. Together, we can truly build a more inclusive and equitable world where all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. >> Stay up to date by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter >> Sign up for our email newsletter to keep in touch

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to announce that Michell Guadamuz, captain of Granada FC and alumna coach at our SWB Nicaragua Hub, and Fahaby Kitimbo, Senior Program Coordinator at our SWB Uganda hub, will be representing SWB as youth delegates at Festival ‘23, an 8-day youth festival of ‘football for good’, to be held in Sydney, Australia during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023’s quarter-final week. Festival ‘23 – implemented by Common Goal, Football United, and Creating Chances and supported by FIFA, UEFA, Sydney FC, and the University of New South Wales – will showcase how the world’s game can be a powerful force to foster positive social change. From August 6th to 14th, Michell, representing Nicaragua, and Fahaby, representing Uganda, will be among 70 International Youth Leaders from 30 different countries brought together for capacity building training, a Fair-Play Football Festival, and community engagement activities. With a major focus upon gender equity and empowerment, the programs, trainings, and activities taking place at Festival ‘23 are designed to build a lasting social legacy. Therefore, the impact of Michell and Fahaby’s participation is sure to extend well past the 8-day festival itself as they return back to their home communities with a newfound set of skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm. ”I am very happy to have the opportunity to represent SWB in Australia during Festival ‘23,” said Michell. “I am very excited to know that I am going to live a new experience that will allow me to learn and see other points of view about the impact of sport on social change. I hope to return to Nicaragua with a better understanding of these ideas in order to share with my community the experience and knowledge learned throughout the festival.” Upon returning home to Granada, Michell will be hosting an event for the local SWB Nicaragua community where she will be sharing the lessons learned from Festival ‘23. This local event, happening August 23rd, will not only be the perfect opportunity to share some exciting, first-hand stories from the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but will more importantly be a chance for Michell to inspire her fellow coaches, youth participants, and the entire community about the importance of advocating for gender equity in sports. Join us in congratulating Michell and Fahaby for their well-deserved selections as delegates. Both have already been making lasting contributions to the advancement of gender equity in Nicaragua and Uganda, and their participation at Festival ‘23 will surely play a big role in continuing this important work for years to come.

Semi-pro soccer club Virginia Dream FC will be participating in The Soccer Tournament (TST) in support of Soccer Without Borders (SWB). The inaugural 32 team, 7-a-side competition is taking place June 1st through 4th in Cary, North Carolina and will include renown international soccer clubs such as Wrexham A.F.C, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham United, former US Men’s and Women’s National Team players, and more. In order to provide exposure to SWB’s mission to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change, the SWB logo will be displayed on Virginia Dream FC player jerseys throughout the tournament. Not only that, the club will also be fundraising for SWB by encouraging supporters to donate to SWB every time they score a goal. “In 2016 I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year,” recalled team owner, Lucas Mendes. “With that award came a chance to make a donation to a charity of my choice. Because of my heritage and my love for soccer, SWB was my runaway selection. I hope that through Virginia Dream FC’s activities such as TST, I can help bring attention and exposure to SWB and its mission.” For those who cannot make it to North Carolina, you can cheer on Virginia Dream by tuning into TST, which will be airing live across NBC platforms. Additionally, be sure to follow along with Virginia Dream and SWB on Instagram for tournament highlights and updates. About Soccer Without Borders Soccer Without Borders uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change in the United States and abroad. Soccer Without Borders combines soccer play and instruction with education and community-building activities in a year-round program model that authentically shifts outcomes. Soccer Without Borders’ impact has been recognized by the global FIFA Diversity Award, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Sports Award, and the Wharton School of Business’ Lipman Family Prize. Learn more at www.soccerwithoutborders.org. About Virginia Dream FC ​​Virginia Dream Football Club is a Falls Church City, VA based semi-pro soccer club that is rooted in creativity and forward thinking. The club's projects will create an organic connection between soccer, art, fashion and music, sparking a unique culture built around collaboration and hard work.They are a soccer organization for all types of players that not only allows them to advance and improve on the field, but also encourages growth and personal development off the field.They feel no one should be excluded from “the beautiful game” because of economic, social, gender or racial factors. Contacts Dustin Alarid, Director of Communications Soccer Without Borders dalarid@soccerwithoutborders.org Lucas Mendes, Owner Virginia Dream Football Club lucas@virginiadreamfc.com

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is pleased to announce that Nora Dooley has joined the team as Director of SWB Assist. Nora comes to us with over 11 years of experience working in more than 50 countries using play and non-traditional sport as tools to design and deliver adaptable, locally-driven, and socially impactful programs. Launched in 2022, SWB Assist “celebrates the pass more than the goal” by supporting partners to advance gender equity and social inclusion worldwide through capacity-building, program design, and strategy consulting. As the Director of SWB Assist, Nora will leverage her experience to advance the Sustainable Development Goals by sharing best practices and innovations from SWB Hubs and by facilitating collaborations that accelerate the power of sports programs to affect positive change. As we welcome Nora to the team, she shares her reflections on what brought her to SWB and which aspects of the role excites her most: Can you describe your personal connection with the game of soccer? I've played soccer since I was five. While growing up, I had the privilege of coming from a supportive family, living amongst a community and culture that promoted and celebrated girls and women playing sports, and learning from several great coaches (though I wish more were women!) Thanks to these circumstances, it was never a hard choice to pursue the sport I loved. It wasn’t until later in life that I learned that many people aren't able to access sport and play with the same confidence or support. In college, I was lucky to have the opportunity to play at a big school in a big city. At that point in my playing career, however, my level of competitiveness often got the better of me. Years after I stepped away from the competitive game, I realized how much my self-esteem and self-worth depended on my performance. It was almost as if my circumstances reached the opposite extreme – a community/culture so supportive of girls and women playing soccer that it wasn't actually supportive of us as humans, only players. I was only important or useful or 'good' if I played well. After college, I knew I needed something different. Going to school in New York City gave me a taste of the world beyond the predominantly White suburb where I grew up and studying in Ireland gave me a taste of the world beyond the United States. So after graduating, I moved to South Africa for a year, interning with Grassroot Soccer, an organization that used the sport I loved in a different way, which had absolutely nothing to do with winning or losing games. I was hooked. After that year in South Africa, I joined another organization called Coaches Across Continents which enabled me to travel to more than 50 countries across nearly every continent. I became obsessed with the idea that I could take any of the traditional soccer 'drills' that I practiced throughout my life and connect them directly to real issues impacting real people and communities. I had the opportunity to work with thousands of community leaders, collaborating with them to design programs that used sport and play to listen to the ideas of young people and celebrate their diverse experiences. This was different from the soccer I played my whole life. It became a kind of therapy for me. Soccer could be healthy, fun, and safe – it could build self-worth. I have learned that certain organizations do this really, really well. Soccer Without Borders is one of the best. How did you first get involved in or connected to SWB? I was introduced to SWB for the first time in Uganda in 2014. I was facilitating a training for leaders in Kampala and SWB was our host. I didn't know it at the time, but I actually met and played with several people who would become my future colleagues! I like to think that's the universe working its magic. Over the following years, I continued to hear about SWB's work and met SWB’s Co-Founder Mary Connor at different sector-wide events. I began to see Mary as a leader of leaders in the growing world of sport for development. Whenever I ran into professional obstacles, Mary was a guiding and supportive voice. As the chance to lead SWB Assist came into focus, it quickly became obvious to me how incredible an opportunity it would be. What inspired you to be a part of SWB? I have admired SWB from a distance for many years. Now that I am part of this organization and am learning first-hand about SWB culture, values, systems, and people – I am in awe. Over the past 11 years I have been able to work with and learn from hundreds of sports for development organizations worldwide. I think I have a decent understanding of how hard it is to do what we do, day after day, year after year. As I’ve learned about SWB from the inside out, knowing some of what it has taken to get to where they are (and imagining the rest), again, it leaves me in awe. The first thing that hit me when I joined SWB was a pervasive sense of belonging. I know how hard the SWB team works to create spaces for belonging through all programs with young people. The extra special part of that is how it permeates throughout the organization. I immediately felt like I was safe and valued. And I think that this stems from something that I now assign immense value to: a healthy, evolving, participatory, transparent infrastructure which facilitates intentional culture creation and imaginative, innovative program content. At SWB, everyone's voice matters and the systems in place empower us to share them. That is special. What are you looking forward to most about leading SWB Assist? I am oozing with excitement to be in this role! I often have to pinch myself as a reminder to slow down. In an attempt to find words to contain that energy I can say: The SWB people are brilliant and I know I will learn heaps about the things I care most about in this world - namely, how to build collective, fun, and safe spaces where we learn to treat each other and ourselves with kindness and empathy; Although I feel prepared for this role, I also know I will be challenged in good and healthy ways; I love being part of the process of building connections and partnerships between people and organizations doing amazing work, and that seems to be synonymous with SWB Assist; The more I learn about SWB, the more I understand why there is so much demand for us to share our learnings with the world. I am excited for the chance to lead the part of SWB that helps dream up, design, and deliver on those opportunities. >> Learn more about SWB Assist

Lea este artículo en español. Reyna Roblero – a coach, program alumna, and former Nicaraguan National Team player from our SWB Nicaragua hub (or Fútbol Sin Fronteras as it’s known locally) – was presented with an award for “Outstanding Female Athlete of the Municipality of Granada in Women’s Football.” The honor, presented by the Mayor of Granada, the Nicaraguan Sports Institute, the Alexis Arguello Sports Movement, and the National Sports Association, was given in recognition of Reyna’s unwavering commitment to leadership and her outstanding work promoting and implementing girls' soccer programming in Nicaragua. “This is for girls to see that all their dreams can be fulfilled,” Reyna said. “As long as they persevere and are consistent in everything they do.” Reyna’s journey with Futbol Sin Fronteras (FSF) began when she was a child. As an FSF participant, it didn’t take long for the soccer pitch to become a space where she felt happy and safe. Later in life, as a player on the Nicaraguan National Team, soccer provided Reyna with the opportunity to travel to many countries, representing her country and the women’s game. It was during this time that Reyna developed her passion for leadership and recognized the influence that she could have on not only girls, but her entire community as well. This passion, combined with her experience as an FSF participant, led her to return to the organization, this time as an FSF coach! “Well at first, I appreciated the way that I was treated by [my FSF] coaches when I was a participant,” Reyna said. “Then when I got a little older, I knew that I wanted to be just like them, to influence others just like they had done for me.” When she began her new role as a FSF coach, Reyna immediately recognized the importance of creating a safe, fun, and welcoming space for the girls on her team. She focused on ways in which her players could experience the joy and freedom of soccer, just like she did as a child. Since beginning her coaching career, Reyna has earned her Level C Coaching License, a huge testament to how hard she has worked to hone her craft and to ensure that every participant she coaches has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Her success as a coach is not only due to her experience as a player, but also because she is able to so clearly reflect those she serves–bringing her story back full circle. "Why is it important to support female footballers?” reflects Reyna. “Well to start, it is important because it’s too common for a community to not have any organizations or role models who are working to support women's football. When I was a young player at tournaments, there was always little support. Only your parents or your close friends would go to see you–usually only your parents would even know you were there! So now, I try to ensure that girls are empowered through football, ensuring that even more girls have access to the game.” Congratulations Reyna! Your contributions on and off the field are not only making a lasting impact on the lives of many girls and women, but also for the game of women's soccer as a whole.