6 Inspiring Soccer Social Impact Projects
When you are playing soccer on a big stage, you may use the publicity for something good. That’s exactly what so many professional athletes do, bringing attention to injustices and areas of growth within the sport.
Imani Dorsey of Gotham FC is a prime example of using her platform for good. Last month, her work with the Black Women’s Player Collective earned her the inaugural U.S. Soccer “One Nation. Social Impact Award”.
Like the BWPC, there are many other social impact projects centered around creating change in the world of soccer. Here are six unique projects that we enjoy:
Girls in Sports
Soccer legend, Mia Hamm, has a mission: to increase the amount of female participation in sports. Through her foundation, she has created the “Girls in Sports” initiative to develop opportunities that allow more girls to be active in the world of athletics.
Her foundation offers an annual grant application process that awards a scholarship to the winner, encouraging girls to participate in soccer and other sports at a higher level.
Just a couple local soccer fans ??
North Carolina Football Club was proud to be a title sponsor for this year's @MiaHammFdn Golf Classic! Learn more at https://t.co/BRge5eWcxR. #NoFinishLine pic.twitter.com/WbXqzCeype
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) September 24, 2021
She has a lot of ties to the UNC and the NC Courage and they frequently have the chance to support her foundation and her goals.
Additionally, Hamm has been openly grateful to female pioneers who impacted her successful career, and now she is doing the same for a new generation of women athletes.
Player 22 Future Program
Furthering her mission as one of the founders of the new Angel City FC, Hamm, along with other women’s soccer royalty, is helping the team be known beyond the pitch.
Supporting players, creating pathways ?
The Angel City Player 22 Future Program is here to help former professional soccer players pursue careers in the sports industry.
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 6, 2021
The ACFC launched the Player 22 Future Program, created to help NWSL players find careers in the sports industry upon retirement.
Recently, salaries of NWSL players have been a huge talking (read: fighting) point, and despite low pay, athletes never really want to leave the field they love. So this is a massive move for the newcomers and a seriously excellent program supported by the star-studded founders!
Women in Soccer
Women in Soccer is a network unlike any other out there at the moment. This free, unique network was created to connect all women to resources and events that help them succeed in the soccer industry.
View this post on Instagram
You can expect to be impressed since Carrie Taylor, the first woman to coach U.S. men’s professional soccer is one of the various reputable founders. (Don’t mind me, just over here signing up.)
The Sports Bra Project
Players don’t have all the fun; sometimes, coaches want to get in on the action. That’s true in the case of former NCAA soccer coach Sarah Dwyer-Shick, who founded The Sports Bra Project.
During her 15 years of coaching collegiate soccer, she noticed that one of the most prominent obstacles preventing females from playing the game was their lack of sports bras.
View this post on Instagram
The project aims to combat that and has earned significant backing, pairing up with the OL Reign and even becoming a partner in the Concacaf #WeBelong campaign.
#WeBelong
Though not started by a player, the Concacaf #WeBelong campaign deserves mention. The Concacaf has teamed up with several players to endorse women’s belonging in soccer.
⏯ ?? "Be confident, be authentic and live the life you've always imagined."#WeBelong | @USWNT https://t.co/pYcAnSK08z
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) December 17, 2021
Big-name stars Sam Mewis, Ali Krieger, Julie Ertz, and Shannon Boxx all joined the campaign to share their stories on why they belong in the sport. The campaign affirms women’s place in soccer and encourages girls to advocate for their right to remain there.
The Bucy Foundation
NC Courage co-owner and Bucy Foundation president Ashlie Bucy started the foundation to get kids off of technology and outside playing soccer in a comfortable or competitive setting.
To accomplish this, Bucy teamed up with the city of Raleigh Parks Department to create mini soccer pitch pop-ups around the town. Their goal is to create 25 pitches by 2025. The foundation is supported by the men’s and women’s North Carolina professional soccer teams.
Launching TOMORROW!
We're so proud of our friends at the Bucy Foundation and @raleighparks, who are bringing this community mini-pitch to Downtown Raleigh! Check out player ambassadors Kaleigh Kurtz and Nazmi Albadawi for more information ♥️ pic.twitter.com/W692jFzIEI
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) July 15, 2021
Courage player Kayleigh Kurtz even works with them when she’s not playing soccer!
While the soccer world is still not perfect, these social impact projects are positively changing the game. With the number of athletes-turned-advocates growing, we know they will continue making a difference that matters for all current and future generations of socceristas!
Featured image via @sportsbraproject on Instagram
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