September 29, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Smith Supports "Soccer Without Borders"

Northampton, MA: On Saturday, October 3, the Smith College soccer team will be raising awareness about Soccer Without Borders and its programs in conjunction with their game versus Babson College at 1 p.m.

The game of soccer has become an important vehicle for reaching youth across the globe and communicating across cultural and language barriers.In promoting the benefits of sport for all individuals, the Pioneers are joining many collegiate soccer programs around the country in fundraising for the program.

Soccer Without Borders is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco that utilizes the sport as a vehicle for positive change in the lives of marginalized youth.  It works locally and internationally to help young people develop their bodies, voices and minds. Currently, project sites include New York and Oakland, California as well as Nicaragua, Uganda, Zambia and El Salvador.

Smith soccer is supporting the program in Granada, Nicaragua. The program began in Granada in 2006 and developed a girls specific soccer program in the spring of 2008.  Granada representative, Suyen Largaespada, supervises programming throughout the year with 10 SWB-trained Nicaraguan youth leaders and U.S. volunteers.  Smith's graduate assistant coach, Katlin Okamoto, took part in the Granada Spring Break program in 2008 and started the Zambia project in 2007.

Throughout the game on October 3, Soccer Without Borders t-shirts ($20) and scarves ($15) will be on sale and donations of gently used soccer equipment will be accepted.  Some of the most important items needed include cones, balls and pinnies (bibs), although other equipment including cleats, jerseys, goalkeeper gear, referee gear and training accessories are greatly appreciated.

For more information on Soccer Without Borders, contact info@soccerwithoutborders.org or visit the website at www.soccerwithoutborders.org.