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Read this article in English. Reyna Roblero – entrenadora, alumna del programa y ex jugadora de la Selección Nacional Nicaragüense, de nuestro centro SWB Nicaragua (o Futbol Sin Fronteras como se le conoce localmente) – recibió un premio a la “Mejor Atleta Femenina del Municipio de Granada en Fútbol Femenino”. El premio fue entregado por el Alcalde de Granada, el Instituto Nicaragüense del Deporte, el Movimiento Deportivo Alexis Arguello y la Asociación Nacional del Deporte, fue dado en reconocimiento al compromiso inquebrantable de Reyna con el liderazgo. “Este es para que las niñas vean que todos sus sueños se puedan cumplir,” dijo Reyna. “Siempre y cuando ellas perseveren y dan constancia en todo lo que hagan.” El viaje de Reyna con Fútbol Sin Fronteras (FSF) comenzó cuando era una niña. Como participante de la FSF, el campo de fútbol estaba un espacio donde se sentía feliz y segura. Más tarde en su vida, como jugadora de la Selección Nicaragüense, el fútbol le dio a Reyna la oportunidad de viajar a muchos países, representando a su país y al juego femenino. Fue durante este tiempo que Reyna desarrolló su pasión por el liderazgo y reconoció la influencia que podía tener no solo en las niñas, sino también en su comunidad. Esta pasión, combinada con su experiencia vivida como participante, la llevó a regresar a la organización, esta vez como entrenadora de la FSF. “Pues, de principio, me gustó el trato que estuvieran los entrenadores conmigo cuando yo era participante,” dijo Reyna. “Entonces, cuando ya fui un poquito más grande, yo decía que yo quería hacer como ellos o tener ese líder que ellos tenían conmigo.” Cuando comenzó a trabajar como coach, Reyna empecé a crear un espacio seguro, acogedor y divertido para las chicas en su equipo. Ella enfocado en las cosas haría que las niñas experimentaron alegría y libertad, de la manera en que ella lo hizo. Desde que comenzó su carrera como entrenadora, Reyna ha obtenido su Licencia de Coaching de Nivel C, un gran testimonio de lo duro que ha trabajado para perfeccionar su oficio y hacer un espacio donde todas las participantes tienen la oportunidad de ganar su potencial. Su éxito como entrenadora no solo se debe a su experiencia como jugadora, sino también es su capacidad de reflejar a las chicas que están en el programa, cerrando el círculo de su historia. “Por qué es importante para apoyar futbolistas feministas? Pues de principio, porque muchas veces no hay una organización o o alguien así es que, o es que apoye el fútbol femenino,” dijo Reyna. “Y siempre cuando yo estuve este un torneo , era poca la afluencia, sólo tus padres o tus conocidos te iban a ver. Lo mismo, solo tus padres conocidos sabían que vos estaba ahí. Pero pues la gente en general, pues ni sabía que existía a veces. Entonces ahora trato de de este hacer que las niñas se promuevan o que ellas mismas pues nosotras estamos jugando fútbol y tratar de invitar a más chicas para tener más alcance.” ¡Felicidades Reyna! Sus contribuciones dentro y fuera del campo no solo están teniendo un impacto duradero en las vidas de muchas niñas y mujeres, sino también en el juego del fútbol femenino en general.

On May 1st, a panel of current and former professional soccer players from the MLS, NWSL, and USL gathered for View from the Pitch, a discussion on how racism impacts the game and how we all can take action to make the sport more inclusive and equitable for everyone. The special event was presented by Switch the Pitch, Soccer Without Borders' anti-racism education program created in partnership with Common Goal. The Oakland-based training hub – powered by Oakland Roots SC – brings together 40 coaches from youth soccer clubs around the Bay Area to participate in an experiential, interactive curriculum designed for coaches and teams to tackle issues like discrimination, unconscious bias, power dynamics, and incidents of racism. Moderated by retired USL player and Switch the Pitch Specialist Brandon Miller, the player panel event included an engaging discussion and personal insights from: Duke Lacroix; current USL player with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and board member of the United Black Players of the USL Kaiya McCullough; activist, Harvard Law student, and former player with the UCLA Bruins and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit Evan Whitfield; attorney, retired MLS player, and current Vice President of Equity, Alumni Relations, and Engagement at Chicago Fire FC Among the incredibly important topics discussed, the panelists reflected on what allyship means to them, how individuals can approach activism, and how we can all work to better improve access to the game. “Allyship is internal, it's interpersonal, and it's community-based,” reflected Duke. “Allyship should be intentional until it is second nature. You have to intentionally think about how your peer’s perspectives are different from your own and how that can affect the larger collective.” While addressing the topic of activism and building movements, the panel discussed the importance of grassroots, ground-up approaches and how they enable activists to better fill gaps and meet local communities where they are. “Starting from that perspective, and changing your perspective in that way first, is a great first step,” Kaiya explained. “Then [you can] take steps from there to figure out how to empower those around you. While this may seem cliché and may seem bold, I think that this framing is a huge step in the right direction.” >> Learn more about Switch the Pitch - Oakland Roots Hub >> Follow Soccer Without Borders on Instagram Watch the event in its entirety:

(Top left) Jennifer with her paternal grandmother, sister, and brother. (Top right) Jennifer's maternal grandmother with her sister and brother. (Bottom left) Jennifer, making bunny ears behind her aunt and sister. (Bottom right) Jennifer with her mother, left, and her aunt, center. Soccer Without Borders is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Tepper as our new Executive Director. Jennifer brings a wealth of professional and lived experience and a passion for SWB's mission to this role. In her own words, Jennifer shares her journey from newcomer to soccer player, dedicated advocate and nonprofit leader to her new role as SWB’s ED. –––––––– I came to Hyattsville, Maryland when I was 2 years old. There, my mother, who spoke no English, raised me in a home where Mandarin was the native tongue. My father had landed a job as a junior engineer in Hyattsville and was hoping to give his family a better and more stable life than the one he knew. By the time I was able to go to Kindergarten, we had moved to Beltsville, MD and I went to Calverton Elementary School, where I had my first exposure to ESOL classes. I had a little sister by then and my mother, who did not know English at the time, would place us in front of Sesame Street and tell us to learn as much as we could from that show so that we could eventually learn how to read and write. It was imperative that I, as the first born in the generation, succeed in this new world. Not only because my parents wanted what was good for me, but because it would indicate that all of the sacrifices they had made for me to be raised in this country were worth it. My father was raised in constant, involuntary transience. His father and his mother escaped China when Mao Tse Tong took power and started a family in Taiwan. My grandparents worked their way from the bottom to the top. And my grandfather, due to his engineering prowess, quite literally became Taiwan’s best railroad engineer, building the Taiwanese railroad system that transports goods and people from East to West on the island. While growing up, my father traveled all around. He had little stability and nowhere to truly call home. This was further exacerbated when he was 17, when his mother sent him and his three siblings to Boston’s Logan Airport on one-way tickets. She heard rumors that the education in Boston was better than any other place in the world and she didn’t want her children to miss out. My father did not know English, he did not have any relatives in the United States, and he had very little money. He washed dishes and bussed tables to make ends meet. While there, he would eventually meet someone who told him he needed to sit for the SATs. Miraculously, despite not earning a single point in the English section, he and his sister both got a perfect score on the math portion of the exam! This was enough to get them into Lowell Tech, where they both followed in my grandfather's footsteps and got engineering degrees. This is what led us to Hyattsville. My father brought my mother and myself on the promise of a more stable life–a place that we could truly, finally call home. Everything was okay when I was little, life at home was full of fun and adventure. But as I got older, cultural differences began to appear. The expectations of my family diverged from the expectations of my school system. For example, the culture of American youth is filled with extracurricular activities and a focus on pursuing happiness and dreams. My culture at home was about doing my duty, about making my family proud, and about concentrating solely on academics. This, according to my family, was going to help me lead a prosperous life in the future. To them, studies were not about one’s interests and passions. Instead, they were solely about a career that would ensure financial stability for myself, my family, and our future generations. I learned early on that as long as I could do well in school–get straight As and get rave reviews from my teachers–I could convince my parents to give me a bit of freedom to pursue hobbies that gave me joy. I could go on bike rides around the neighborhood and play with friends. Up until the age of 12, I never knew that there were actual organized activities like sports where I could gain friendships and build community. I learned that there were opportunities to be part of something special, something more than just a bunch of kids playing in the neighborhood. I distinctly remember the moment where this realization came to me: I was a 12 year old student in my middle school gym class, learning about soccer for the first time. My PE teacher tried to teach me how to dribble with the outside of my foot, a technique that seemed so odd and felt so unnatural. With a bit of determination and a lot of overthinking, this unusual motion promptly led me to fall on my face. At first I was embarrassed, but it didn’t take long for my shame to give way to my laughter. It was there where my competitive instinct came full force…and heck if I wasn’t going to master this new skill! It was this same drive that earned me a place on the White Oak Middle School soccer team. The team, coached by Mr. Wylie, was my very first. It was not only my first time as part of a team, it was the first time that I truly felt like I could be my whole, authentic self. I was Jennifer. I was a player, a teammate, a friend, and a person others could depend on. I was not just someone studying to be a doctor, a lawyer, or a journalist (my parents really wanted me to be the next Connie Chung!) I was not just serving a role–playing a part. I was one part of a larger whole. I was connected with those who embraced me and saw all sides of me. As a teammate, I felt like I belonged. Soccer provided me with a sense of being part of something bigger than myself, while simultaneously enabling me to be fully connected with my inner self. It allowed me to understand what I did well and what I needed to work on. It allowed me to know that as I improved, the whole team improved–how each micro-action will beget a micro-reaction, changing the culture of our team. These are the dynamics that can turn trailing at halftime to winning the game. Further still, the game of soccer has the ability to transform a pitch full of scattered, individual women looking for a purpose, into a united group of believers–those who believe in the power of collective action, who believe in one another, and who believe in themselves. Soccer demonstrates how one can truly do whatever they put their hearts and minds to, both on and off the field. I found that when I experienced all of this humanity in teamwork, leadership, strategy, emotional connections and joy amidst complete diversity, (my teammates were from El Salvador to Mexico to the United States and so many other cultures, coaches from Trinidad and Tobago, Africa, USA, England, just to name a few) I felt at peace. I was experiencing what peace looks like: humanity amidst diversity. If there is one organization that embodies these values, if there is one organization whose mission emulates the chance to find and reach one’s potential, and if there is one organization that provides a consistent space where countless youth and coaches can find acceptance, family, community, potential, hope, and peace…then Soccer Without Borders is that organization. It is the summit of my adventures. I am excited to now call SWB home. As I leave my shoes at the door, I will bring my most genuine (albeit crooked) smile to every meeting, every training session, and every learning moment. I will bring my personal experience of growing up as a newcomer, something which many of our youth can relate to. I will bring a myriad of professional knowledge and leadership to our community.

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Tepper as its new Executive Director. Jennifer brings a wealth of professional and lived experience and a passion for SWB's mission to this role. With more than two decades of experience as a nonprofit executive, business development and fundraising strategist, and board development expert, Jennifer shares a deep commitment to advancing equity and inclusion through soccer. Prior to joining SWB, Jennifer held the role of Executive Director of the D.C. Language Access Coalition, Director of Development at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Director of Development and Communications at Trees for the Future, Senior Director of Strategic Development and Partnerships at BoardSource, Vice President of Organizational Development and Leadership at Collaborative Communications Group, and Co-founder and Managing Director at LiveMudita. “I am excited to now call SWB home,” says Jennifer. “I am ready to ‘leave my shoes at the door’ and bring my most genuine (albeit crooked) smile to every meeting, every training session, and every learning moment. I will also bring my personal experience of growing up as a newcomer to help ensure that SWB continues to build spaces where even the most displaced and marginalized youth can feel seen and heard.” As Executive Director, Jennifer will lead the planning and execution of Soccer Without Borders’ strategic vision and ensure the overall programmatic, operational, and financial viability of SWB. The appointment will enable Mary Connor, Co-Founder and outgoing Executive Director, to transition to a new role that centers around innovation and the strategic expansion of our mission. Jennifer will leverage her experience to lead SWB forward in collaboration with our talented Executive Leadership team, Founders, Board of Directors, and Program Leadership. “The Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Jennifer to SWB,” says SWB Board President Erin Cook. “Jennifer brings the proficiency and expertise to lead SWB through its next chapter. We look forward to partnering with Jennifer on SWB’s strategic vision, continued impact and leadership position.” Jennifer joins SWB during a period of significant growth and evolution, with expansion within our six Community Hubs, the launch of SWB Assist, and a deepened commitment to sharpening our equity lens. "In a world where our news feeds are flooded by the harmful actions of those who are not connected to a community and do not feel like they belong anywhere in this world,” Jennifer reflects, “SWB brings another paradigm – a world where diversity is embraced, equity is foundational, and belonging and community are the results.” Get to know Jennifer even more by reading, A Place to Call Home, a new blog written by SWB’s new Executive Director herself! 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.

Launched in 2022, the Chezuba Talks podcast, hosted by Tejashree Patil, is a series of talks with phenomenal changemakers and non-profit leaders who are creating action-oriented impact through their incredible stories. Episode 49 features Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Co-Founder Mary Connor. In the episode, Mary talks about how in soccer, too often ego gets in the way of building caring and cohesive teams. SWB’s mantra, “Leave Your Shoes at the Door" is a continuous reminder that humility, not ego, is what makes communities stronger, on and off the field. “One of the best parts of soccer is the community, is your teammates,” Mary explains on the pod. “To this day, my teammates from my college soccer team are some of my biggest supporters and confidants. They also support Soccer Without Borders…and not just in a fire-us-up way, but also in the hard moments.” Tune into the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or by watching the YouTube video below!

Photo from @RachelEClement on Twitter; https://tinyurl.com/2rubt77m In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues and the Bureau of Global Public Affairs hosted a virtual Foreign Policy Classroom Event. This special event provided the opportunity and platform for girls from lower- and middle-income countries most affected by U.S. foreign policy to speak directly with U.S. government leaders who are committed to their empowerment, leadership, and to addressing their most pressing concerns. Soccer Without Borders Uganda’s very own Coach Masika Munoya–because of her amazing efforts as a passionate and hardworking advocate in her community and as a positive role model for SWB’s refugee girls–was selected to participate as a panelist for the event. Coach Masika had the opportunity to urge the leaders and policymakers in attendance, (including the Senior Official to the Secretary of State in the Office of Global Women’s Issues, Katrina Fotovat) to consider the role of sports as an integral tool for advancing gender equality and girls' leadership around the world. A behind the scenes perspective of Coach Masika’s presentation at the Foreign Policy Classroom Event. “Through sports, I'm able to lead,” shared Coach Masika, “I've learned how to use my voice as well to know my rights. I would like to see more girls taking the lead in sports as well by promoting girls education– especially to the refugee girls like me–because we have limited opportunities to get an education.” Coach Masika’s participation in the virtual Foreign Policy Classroom Event was a testament to the impact that sports can have on young people's lives, particularly refugee and newcomer girls. Her insights and own experiences highlighted the importance of providing girls with access to safe spaces, education, and opportunities for leadership and community engagement. View the introductory video that Coach Masika shared for the event. For more information about the event, and to watch the event recording in its entirety, visit the Bureau of Global Public affairs website.

Dear Friends, We are living and working in a time of great transition in our communities and as a humanity. Global displacement soars above 100 million people. Millions of students struggle to recover from interrupted education during the Covid-19 pandemic. We are living in a time of profound changes in the way we welcome and connect with one another, the way we deliver education, and the role that sport plays in society. In soccer, transition looks like opportunity. A team bursts out of a vulnerable moment with strength and speed, charging down the field with confidence and hope. Throughout this Annual Report, you will find the story of a year of tremendous resilience, learning, and innovation at Soccer Without Borders. None of this would be possible without the hard work and investment of staff, volunteers, board members, and supporters. Thank you all! It is with bittersweet joy that I invite you to read our 2022 Annual Report, the last under my tenure as Executive Director. I know that the next chapter of SWB's story will be the most impactful one yet, and we look forward to introducing you to our new Executive Director in the weeks to come! Sincerely, Mary Connor Co-Founder & Executive Director >> Click here to read the full report!

“Soccer Without Borders is a caring community of people who are thoughtful not only about the change we want to make in the world, but how we reflect that change in ourselves.” - SWB Co-Founder, Mary Connor Soccer Without Borders was founded in 2006 with a lofty vision of a more inclusive world where all youth reach their inherent potential, and a mission to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change with underserved youth. For four years, we were a small team of dedicated volunteers working to create an outsized impact on a shoestring budget. Sport-for-development was barely a sector, let alone a career path. Every year and every step between then and now, we have been grounded by a sense of humility and gratitude for the contributions of thousands of stakeholders. Many have donated money, time, equipment, or other resources. Many have driven hundreds of miles to get kids to the field. Countless people have stepped up to help us navigate enumerable challenges that come with growing a charitable organization from scratch. Our four core values - equity, authenticity, a process-oriented approach, and a focus on the whole person - guide how we invest our resources. As a mission-driven organization, first and foremost we invest in creating impact with and for the communities we serve. We utilize our resources to eliminate as many barriers to participation as possible, and aim to create advancement and employment pathways within the communities we serve. Our team of staff are essential in creating impact and addressing barriers, and as a result we invest more than 85% of our financial resources in our people every year. In setting compensation and benefits, SWB commits to fulfilling the following objectives: 1. WE LIVE OUR VALUES: Authenticity: We work in vulnerable communities that are experiencing joblessness, underemployment, food insecurity, and poverty, among other systemic injustices and inequities. SWB staff must understand and be thoughtful about the use of limited resources. Focus on the Whole Person: We value the health and well-being of all staff, and aim to offer a meaningful, holistic experience including fair wages, essential benefits, flexibility, autonomy, and a caring and supportive workplace culture. We offer generous and flexible vacation time without accrual limitations throughout the year, and family, medical, and sabbatical leave policies that aim to value both the staff member on leave as well as the staff members – often those in more junior positions with lower pay - who provide coverage during this time. Process-oriented Approach: We constantly strive to improve working conditions – including wages - advancing our collective goals as a staff and meeting individual needs. We continually reexamine and grow wages and benefits in proportion to the organizational growth overall. Equity: We believe that every contribution to the mission has essential value, and that no role could stand alone. No level of employment at SWB will have an average wage of more than 1.5x the next immediate level. The highest paid employee will earn no more than 3x the average full-time employee wage. We disaggregate compensation data by gender, race, ethnicity, level, and location, and we work to rectify any disparities as quickly as is reasonably possible. 2. WE AIM TO INCLUDE ALL STAFF MEMBERS ACQUIRING, ALLOCATING, AND MANAGING OUR RESOURCES: We believe that every staff member can contribute to growing our financial resources. From collecting impact data and stories, to effectively stewarding budgets, to seeking in-kind donations, to cultivating new relationships, to actively maintaining partner and funder relationships, to crowdfunding and event participation, to direct fundraising and grant-writing, together we can continue to expand our available resources. We recognize that in order to keep pace with inflation and cost of living, we must constantly grow our revenue. To do this, we must also add additional fundraising capacity through a mobilized workforce or additional positions. As an organization serving vulnerable populations with few resources, we must create a culture of self-awareness, openness, and understanding when it comes to discussing financial matters. This must be modeled and led by those in positions of real and perceived power to ensure approachability. We aim to create avenues for participation in budgeting and visioning for all full-time staff, and ensure that decisions directly affecting the compensation and benefits of staff include input from a representative cross-section of perspectives. 3. WE AIM TO INCORPORATE AND CREATE NEW BEST PRACTICES FOR AN EQUITABLE WORKPLACE We believe that a strong staff culture that elevates our greater purpose can motivate staff to perform at their best. Outside of identifying and clarifying the exceptions below, we do not engage in individual negotiations over compensation. We believe that negotiation disproportionately benefits those with privileges of language, access, proximity, and identity. Compensation is set by the position and the work performed, not by the individual needs and wants of the person holding the position. We are continually seeking to learn best practices around transparency, and seek to create an environment that balances an individual’s privacy with mutual understanding and a sense of fairness. As a general rule, we do not compare ourselves to or look to the for-profit sector for best practices. We are always looking for better practices and new ideas, and encourage staff to do the same. This position stems from a belief that, as a whole, the for-profit sector’s policies have accelerated the income and wealth inequality in the world today, particularly when it comes to valuing the work of historically marginalized populations internationally and domestically. We understand that staff may desire more compensation and benefits, and may consider other employment options if Soccer Without Borders cannot meet these expectations. We set longevity goals for each position type and assess our compensation policy effectiveness against these goals, not against individual departures. We understand that not every position is designed to be a long-term fit, and aim for every staff member to gain new skills, make a meaningful mission contribution, and feel valued during their time with SWB. We collect and disaggregate exit information by staff demographics and other variables to detect patterns and ensure that we have a nuanced understanding of how compensation and benefits affect exit decisions. 4. IN ASSESSING PERFORMANCE, WE VALUE IMPACT, OWNERSHIP, AND FIT While we have concrete program objectives that are tracked and measured, we also understand that in youth development there is much that is out of our control. Our values, mantras and principles for effective staff members outline the qualities – tangible and intangible – that make a staff member successful and will lead to advancement based on performance. Different roles have different expectations and responsibilities. We value an authentic team culture in which staff members with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and lived experience work collaboratively to advance our common purpose. We prioritize retention of team members who reliably fulfill their role, support their teammates, and contribute to the best of their ability every day.

Emery, a high school student from Los Angeles, is an avid soccer player. Playing for her high school and club teams, she has learned, first hand, how the sport she loves is so much more than just a game. She learned how it can truly be a vehicle for positive change. So when Emery was searching for ways to give back to the community, Soccer Without Borders immediately stood out. She knew that the mission of SWB was something she could get behind–it was a cause that she was passionate about. In February, Emery put this passion to work by organizing a futsal tournament fundraiser in support of SWB. The tournament brought together teams of girls from across the community to play and connect, some of whom were brand new to soccer. The event was a huge success and far exceeded fundraising goals. Due to her hard work and the generosity of her friends, family, and community, more than $3,000 was raised in support of SWB programs! Continue reading to learn more about Emery as she shares about her love for soccer, her passion for getting girls in the game, and how the idea of a futsal tournament fundraiser came to life: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your personal connection to the game of soccer? My name is Emery, I am a junior at Eagle Rock High School. I play for the LA Surf 06 girls DPL team and I just hosted a futsal tournament to raise money for SWB. Soccer has always been such a big part of who I am and the things I love, it's such a great way to connect with other girls and people who share the same drive and passion for the game. While having my own personal connection to the game, I found it so frustrating that there are so many groups out there that don’t have access to many of the resources that I have access to. I want others to be able to experience the same love I have for the game with all of the right materials to play. So really, doing this tournament was my way of helping spread the love that I know soccer was able to provide for me. How did you learn about Soccer Without Borders? What about our mission resonated with you the most and why? I was talking to my college counselor about ways in which I could start to get more involved with my community, but in a way I could enjoy it and also feel that it aligned with my agenda. So, I was looking online for something soccer related that would have the power to bring people from all over and from so many different backgrounds together. I think that SWB’s inclusivity and the idea that anyone can play soccer really was the thing that drew me towards it. I just found it so truthful that despite being from different cultural, religious, and social backgrounds, a group of people were able to connect through one sole similarity and really try their best for their teammates. It's so true that when you're playing not only for yourself but also for your teammates, your love for the game grows exponentially. I think that I could personally really relate to that, it's really hard as the level you play goes up to remember why you play the game, so I think just learning more about SWB made me remember why I play, it's not just for me, its for a team, it reminds me that there is always something greater than myself. What inspired you to fundraise for SWB? When I was learning about SWB I just knew that I wanted to give back to their incredible community. I felt so moved by everything they were doing for underserved youth and so I knew I wanted to give back or join their mission. This was a super long process, I was trying to think of so many ways of fundraising, my initial idea was to do some sort of table with a raffle. But then I remembered SWB’s mission, it's all about bringing people together with soccer as a vehicle, so I thought, what better way to do that than by simply playing? What was so special about this tournament was that I really had brought people from totally different environments: I had people from my high school teams, people from my club team, and I even had people who had never played soccer before wanting to play! It was so exciting to see how the game of soccer was able to bring so many girls together to play. Can you share more about the tournament? The format of the tournament consisted of the morning/afternoon being 4 teams of girls 14-16 in age, so there were a total of 4 games. We had teams A and C go first, and the winner of that round would go into the final. Then we had B and D play and the winner of that round also went into the final. The two teams who weren't in the final played for 3rd and 4th place. When the final was played, the winning team won Lululemon gift cards that we had got donated! My fundraising goal was only $1,500, but we ended up going way over that so I was so happy. How did the tournament go? What was the most exciting part? The greatest challenge? The tournament was super successful! I think the most exciting part was seeing everyone have fun. There were girls of all different ages and when they were put on teams together they really had fun all competing. The greatest challenge I had was just some of the little things, nothing too challenging happened, I would say maybe just the general organizing and the planning for it took a while. What advice would you give to others who are thinking about organizing a tournament fundraiser? I think that the biggest advice I would give would to not be so close minded to who plays in [your tournament]. I had friends who had never played soccer become super interested in playing and they even became more interested in the game after the tournament. So definitely during the time you're organizing it, try to reach out to everyone, and realize that that is the beauty behind soccer. What is your overall takeaway from this experience? My overall takeaway is something that I realized that I feel that everyone should be aware of. Sports aren’t made specifically for one group of people, anyone can join. It's so important to remember that you didn’t start playing the sport you play currently because you wanted to go pro, you played because it was fun and you got to hangout with a bunch of other people who also thought it was fun...and that is what brought you together. Feeling inspired? Well, you too can fundraise for SWB! Visit our website to learn how you can set up your own crowdfunding page and do your part to help us create a more inclusive and equitable world through the game of soccer!

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to welcome Beyond Sport award-winner Dr. Hajar Abulfazl as the newest staff team member at our SWB Oakland hub. Joining SWB as Program Coordinator, Hajar comes to us as the former Co-captain of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and a former delegate to the United Nations Youth Assembly. Hajar is a strident activist for girls and women’s rights in Afghanistan including her work as an advocate for gender equity in soccer. As we honor International Women’s Day throughout the month of March, we are excited to welcome Hajar to the team and to celebrate her journey — past, present and future. Continue reading to learn Hajar’s reflections on what brought her to SWB and which aspects of her new role excite her most: What is your “why” for working at SWB? I challenged the taboo of women playing football and advocated for women's rights and empowerment through health and sport as a member of the first generation of national football team players in Afghanistan. Playing soccer for many years has changed my life and made me a positive person; now, I’m excited to join Soccer Without Borders, a team in which I feel at home and can be myself. Through SWB, I am excited to share my journey with more people, teach the next generation, and show everyone what soccer is all about. I had known about the Soccer Without Borders mission and the team since 2016 when they formed a partnership with the players and coaches of the Afghanistan Women's National Soccer Team. I realized my whole life's mission was the same as the SWB mission; to use soccer to make a positive difference, promote empowerment, change lives, and bring communities together. What has been your journey in soccer so far? I have personally taken a journey to become a soccer leader in my country, Afghanistan, where girls are traditionally not allowed to leave the house, let alone play soccer internationally. It has taken me a lot of effort to get where I am today, and I have fought hard to make soccer an acceptable sport for girls, along with my sisters, parents, relatives, teachers, and community. My goal has always been to continue working for the team of girls who loved soccer but couldn't because of their families, society, and a huge obstacle, the Taliban. What mantra speaks to you the most, and why? We had a coach foundation training at the beginning of my work at SWB, and during it we talked about mantras. "Get Them to the Field" is my favorite, and I could say it has the most meaning for me. I believe the process of getting the girls on the field is the longest and the most challenging. Bringing girls onto the field is a long process and it takes a lot of good work to encourage them, talk with their parents, show a lot of examples, and meet them many, many times. As soon as they come to the field, they will find a way to continue, and you will see that the majority of them will stay and fight against any challenge to stay and get better. What about getting girls into the game is meaningful to you? Girls should be in the game because we want them to be powerful, capable, and bold. Soccer can give you the skills to be powerful by using your own talents — your mind and body — to empower yourself to be better. Many girls are expected to stay in their homes, but soccer is a great way to bring girls out of their homes and show them a bigger world of opportunity. For me, because of soccer, I have received an education and I have traveled all over the world. I have been able to understand who I am and how to achieve my dreams. Now I want to give this back to girls who might not otherwise have the opportunity. What has been your favorite part of working in SWB girls’ programming so far? I love all parts of SWB, but specifically girls’ programming because in any circle or game or moment, I feel connected to my work back in Afghanistan. I feel that I’ve built my life for this job, to bring girls to the field, train them, to let them tell their stories, and find themselves. I am sure so many girls have talents, but they are shy, and at SWB we bring those girls to the field. Inviting them to the field provides them positive knowledge and experiences, and that’s my favorite part. Is there anything else you would like people to know? Right now, Afghanistan is not being run by the Afghan government, and this has meant that for years girls cannot go to school, they cannot play sports, everything is shut down for women. You cannot travel by yourself or engage in community activities. I want to use my platform to say “do not leave Afghan women alone” — we need support and help because we have so much hope, and the girls and women in Afghanistan matter, and their futures matter.

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is excited to announce that, for the 7th year, we will have a charity team running the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon! Applications are open now and the slots are sure to fill fast. Whether you are a seasoned marathoner or setting your sights on your first, please consider joining our team of ten passionate individuals who will sweat for change by making each mile count for the mission of SWB. Each runner's fundraising efforts supports Soccer Without Borders' mission to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change. Each year, SWB provides free, holistic youth development programs directly to over 4,000 youth, and leads collaborative efforts to advance gender equity and social inclusion through soccer around the world. As a member of Team SWB, you can dedicate your efforts to support a specific SWB Hub or initiative, or run on behalf of all SWB programs. All runners who are selected to join the team will receive a guaranteed race entry as well as a number of additional benefits based on their pledge level (visit our website for details). All interested applicants must apply online and we will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. MARATHON DATE: November 5, 2023 MANDATORY TEAM MEETING: June 22, 2023 12:00 pm ET ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS (on a rolling basis) IMPORTANT LINKS >> SWB Marathon Information >> SWB Marathon Application >> 2023 TCS New York City Marathon QUESTIONS? Contact Bridget Black at bblack@soccerwithoutborders.org

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is pleased to announce that Julio Chow-Gamboa has been named to the SWB Borders Board of Directors. Julio brings extensive experience as an educator and is currently serving as the Senior Manager of Educator Capacity at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, an organization dedicated to building a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone. Julio earned a B.A. in German Language and Literature: Media and Aesthetics from Princeton University and is passionate about the way that sports are able to build community and positively impact the lives of newcomer youth. As we welcome Julio as our newest board member, he shared his reflections on what brought him to SWB and which aspects of the role excites him most: Can you describe your personal connection with the game of soccer or with SWB’s mission specifically? My dad is from Mexico, from Mérida. He grew up there and came to the US when he was 25. Actually, he specifically came to Denver, Colorado, which is now of course home to one of SWB’s hubs. My dad grew up playing soccer and when he first came to Denver, the game became an important way of building community with those who had also immigrated from Latin America. In fact, a number of those same friends ended up becoming part of his community for a large portion of his life! As for me, I grew up playing baseball and basketball. Even though these sports are different from soccer, the type of development and skill building that I received from them (not to mention the friendships I made along the way) were very significant. It was so significant that, once I became a high school teacher, I jumped at the opportunity to coach basketball myself. How did you first get involved in or connected to SWB? I was a high school teacher at Oakland International High School (OIHS) from 2009 to 2013. These were the early days of both OIHS and of Soccer Without Borders. While there, I taught 11th and 12th grade and many of my students, both boys and girls, were involved with Soccer Without Borders programs held at OIHS. So that’s how I initially learned about the organization and connected with the youth that they served. I saw, first-hand, the importance of community for newcomers, those who were brand new to the country, who’ve experienced so much disruption and change in their lives, and who faced the challenge of not being able to speak the same language as others in their community. Since my day job was to teach these students English, I saw how the community built by SWB made a valuable impact in both my own classroom and in the school as a whole. What inspires you to continue to be a part of SWB? Being at the same school site as SWB for four years, I got to directly experience the impact of the program – how SWB became a really meaningful part of the lives of students. I saw how it played a significant role in creating a broader community of care for a group of young people who were often overlooked by society. I also continue to be inspired by how the values of the organization are lived out at all levels, from the top to the bottom. It is simply an amazing, robust, and healthy community of people who are super passionate, who work really hard, and who have fun together. I think that it’s a unique organization for being able to do all those things. What are you looking forward to most about joining the Board of Directors? Firstly, it is a privilege to be a part of the SWB community in a formal way and so that is something that I am personally excited about. I also recognize that the organization is in a season of transition and so it is exciting and energizing to join at a time like this. I am excited to plug in and contribute to the organization by bringing my perspective from working in schools around the country and my experiences which have been anchored by my time as an English teacher for newcomer youth. Is there anything else you'd like to share? Yeah! There are a couple of things. First, creating a sense of belonging for youth is not easy work. So to see Soccer Without Borders become a model of an organization doing that well – anchored in the values that they hold – is something that I think a lot of people can learn from, even if they don’t directly work in soccer or sports-based programming. The other thing that I want to share is how the communities served by this organization, including both newcomer youth and underserved girls, deserve more time and attention from those who have resources to give and who are trying to figure out how to prioritize and what to elevate. So, I hope that people do not only consider paying more attention to the issues, but also to the approaches that have made SWB the impactful organization that it has become.