play31

Play 31 Nominated - Best New Project of the Year

Kevin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:37:56 +0000

Play31 was recently nominated for the award as Best New Project of the
Year by Beyond Sport. Beyond Sport is a global organization that
promotes, develops and funds the use of sport to create positive
social change across the world. You can read more about Beyond Sport
and Play31’s nomination here:
http://www.beyondsport.org/the-awards/entries/view.php?Id=775

“The nomination for the Beyond Sport Award is a huge recognition of
the impact our work has had over the last year and a half and we’re
very proud”, says Play31’s Founder and Director Jakob Lund. Five
projects, the others based in Uganda, Jordan, the US, and Zimbabwe,
have been nominated in the Best New Project category and the winner
will be announced at the annual Beyond Sport Summit in Chicago in
September this year.

West Girls Soccer and Model UN Unite

Kevin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:40:39 +0000

Some months ago, we received an email from the coach of the West Bend West Girls high school team from Wisconsin. According to coach Mark Drake, the school wanted to “do something special.” They had read about Play31’s work online and the girls’ high school team decided to support one of our women’s teams in Sierra Leone. Therefore, on May 22nd, in collaboration with the West Bend Model United Nations team, the team hosted a charity match during the Varsity Invite soccer tournament.

Model United Nations and West Girls Soccer formed a united front to raise money for and awareness of the event. Posters were hung in the school, announcements were broadcast daily, and the girls did what they could to raise money in the month leading up to the match.

With extra motivation, the West Bend West team won all of their Saturday tournament games. In the final match, West defeated rival West Bend East 3-2 to claim the Varsity Invite Championship.

We are really, really excited that the West Bend West Girls choose to support our work and we see it as yet another example of how a small group of people can make a big difference. If you want to get involved and support Play31’s work, please get in contact and let’s see what we can work out.

A big THANK YOU to the West High School, with special thanks to Mark Drake, Varsity Soccer Coach Corey Petzold, Athletic Director Scott Stier, and Game Manager John Becker.

Play 31’s Biggest Smallest Fan Turns Nine

Kevin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:46:43 +0000

Play 31’s Biggest Smallest Fan Turns Nine, and Gives the Joy of Soccer to Children in Sierra Leone

Anyone who knows Reilly Flora knows how much the energetic nine-year-old loves soccer. So it wasn’t a surprise when she decided to throw a soccer-themed birthday party last December. But there was a twist: She wanted to use her special day as a way to raise money to spread her love for the “beautiful game” to children affected by conflict.
“Reilly gets so much joy from soccer,” said her mom, Andrea. “And I think it was just so important for her to share that joy with other kids.” Instead of watching SpongeBob SquarePants and other cartoons on TV after soccer practice, Reilly races home to watch highlights of British football’s Premier League. Her favorite player? Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.
Reilly, who plays right defense on her soccer team, knew she didn’t want just an ordinary birthday, or more toys that she wouldn’t use. “I don’t need the toys,” she said, “and there are kids who need [soccer balls] much more than I do.”
Reilly and her mom hit the Internet to look for organizations that use soccer to help resource-poor children around the world. Typing “soccer balls for Africa” into their Web search engine, they followed a United Nations article and found out about Play31. Andrea wasted no time, and sent an email to Play31, and reached Jakob Lund, founder and president.
“When I got the email, I was so moved,” said Jakob. “Reilly’s enthusiasm for soccer and her desire to help children made us want to do whatever we could to help her make her birthday a memorable one.”
When Reilly visited Play31’s website, she was affected by the pictures she saw of the communities in Sierra Leone brought together—through soccer—after years of violence and conflict. She was particularly touched by the pictures of children. “I saw all the pictures and how happy the kids look. I thought, ‘Wow, I wish I could see those smiling faces,” said Reilly. “I thought how a single soccer ball can make an entire village happy and how kids don’t all have that.”
Immediately, Reilly and her parents set to work. They decided to toss the traditional birthday goodie bags filled with candy and throw-away trinkets. Instead, with logos sent by Jakob, they made Play31 headbands for the girls, wristbands for the boys, and water bottles for everyone.
Reilly’s parents informed the invited children’s families about Reilly’s birthday, and how it would be used as an opportunity to raise money and awareness about soccer as a way to bring peace to children around the world. Everything—from the decorations to the birthday cake—was adorned with Play31 logos and soccer balls. At the party held at the local rollerskating rink, an information board displaying pictures of the children in Sierra Leone was pinned up, and a donation box was set up, with no expectation on a minimum gift.
“We wanted to spread the word, and keep the discussions going,” said Andrea. “Almost all of Reilly’s friends play sports, and the headbands, wristbands and water bottles help spread the message. It also ensures that people keep talking about these issues after the party.”
In all, nearly 50 children and their parents came to the party, contributing more than $750 to Play31.
“I was really proud that my friends would do that for me,” said Reilly.
Learning about other countries, conflict and how soccer can bring communities together became part of class time, too. Reilly’s teachers got involved. Showing students where Sierra Leone is located on the world map, they talked about the issues facing children there and all around the world. Reilly’s desire to help other children by using soccer as a means for peace has spread, long after her birthday party ended.
“The other day at school I was walking back to the classroom, and a boy said, ‘Why is everyone wearing play31 headbands? Why is everyone drinking out of play31 water bottles?’” said Reilly, who offered to give him a Play31 water bottle. “Now he is drinking from a Play31 water bottle, too. “

Two New Tournaments in Sierra Leone

Kevin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:26:13 +0000

In the end of December 2009, we started two new tournaments in Kono and Moyamba Districts in Sierra Leone. The tournaments have started out great and if the trend from the first weeks continue, we will have reached more than 18,000 people by the end of February. Already, thousands of children, men and women have been brought together on and around the football pitch and at the ensuing dinners and discos. Beyond from being a lot of great fun, our work has a real impact in the communities. People who have been torn apart for years reconnect and neighbors who have grudges against one another get a chance meet in an environment where the sense of community is emphasized and encouraged. We will give you regular updates as the tournaments proceed — please check in from time to time.

Footballs for Christmas for Peace

Jakob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:36:47 +0000

This year, we present to you the chance of giving a priceless gift to friends and family by donating footballs or sponsoring football players in our community tournaments. You’ll also be giving the hope for peace and the opportunity to heal—all through the power of the Beautiful Game.

Confused? It’s plain simple. Use the online payment process below to donate either $20 for a football or $40 for a player and remember to type in your email. You will then receive an email with a gift certificate for the present you bought. You print out the certificate and put it in the sock/under the tree/wherever you put those kinds of things. You feel good for having supported a good cause. So will the person you give the present to. And most importantly: the children in Sierra Leone will feel even better.

For more info, check out our video. And don’t hesitate to share it with your friends and family. Or David Beckham.

footballs for christmas for peace from eric becker on Vimeo.

Play 31 Annual Fundraiser!

Kevin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:04:16 +0000

On Wednesday November 18th, Play31 will have its annual fundraiser. This year, it will take place at Columbia University and it will be awesome!
From 6-8pm there will be a panel discussion on children in armed conflict. In cooperation with Columbia University’s UN Studies Program Working Group we have lined up some really impressive speakers, if we may say so: our very own Ishmael Beah; the Ambassadors to the UN from Canada (a big contributor to UN peacebuilding and part of the “group of Friends” for children in armed conflict) and Sierra Leone; esteemed journalist Jimmie Briggs; and Jo Becker from Human Rights watch.
After the panel discussion, the reception will begin. We will be serving genuine gourmet food and fine wines. We will also offer mingling and schmoozing ad libitum!
If you are in NYC and interested in attending this event, please contact Paloma Muñoz on pmm2124@columbia.edu
We will be back soon with a report and pictures from this special evening.

Hip, hip hooray for Play31!!!

Kevin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:39:54 +0000

Dear all,

A year ago, Play31 was officially incorporated in the state of New
York. As we all know, growing older leads people (and organizations)
to ponder about past shenanigans and about what the future may bring.

As the Founder of Play31, this is what I think Play31 would think
about on her first birthday:

She would reminisce about how she was conceived after an encounter
with three boys in rural Sierra Leone who had an overwhelming love for
the Beautiful Game but only a wrecked plastic ball to play with. And
about the hundreds of kids she donated footballs to before even being
incorporated. She would remember the pride when she was first assigned
a real board. And the lump in her throat as she was celebrating new
years’ eve with three communities in Kailahun District who, after
playing in her tournament, reconciled and put their differences from
the war behind them. She would think about all the thousands of people
who have been part of her tournaments in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and
Liberia as players and spectators.

She would look ahead and think about the prospects for consolidating
her efforts in West Africa and spreading into new parts of the world
(such as the tentative proposal to go to Yemen and work with Somali
refugees). She would be honored when thinking of how the new board,
consisting of UN Ambassadors and authors and other outstanding
individuals, will take her to new heights. And about how she is about
to become officially incorporated in Denmark, too.

Finally, now with tears in her eyes, she would send heart-felt
gratitude to all of you who have supported her in this first year. She
would say that she hopes you will all continue to help her grow even
bigger, fatter and cuter for her second birthday next year!

Hip, hip hooray for Play31 and may the balls keep bouncing!

With love for the Beautiful Game,
Jakob

Tri-Nation Tournament

Kevin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:56:31 +0000

When civil war ravaged Sierra Leone from 1991-2002, arms, refugees,
diamonds and rebels spilled over the porous border that separates the
country from Guinea and Liberia. For that reason, many of the
challenges that face Sierra Leone in the aftermath of the war are also
present in the two bordering countries. This is the reason why we –
as always in cooperation with Forum of Conscience — recently
organized the Tri-Nation Tournament with communities from all three
countries. The tournament set out to reunite the people on who
suffered through the war – many of whom have lived completely
separated since the war ended. Judging by the number of people
attending the matches and the enthusiasm showed, the goal seems to
have been reached. As the Captain of Guinea’s male team said: “We made
new friends and met old ones, if Fambul Tok [and Play31] continue such
venture every year then peace will continue to strive in the three
countries”.

Below are some photos from the event.

The Tri-Nation Tournament was made possible through generous
donations. We depend on these donations to continue to bring people
together around the Beautiful Game. We thank you for your support!

Sport Your Support

Kevin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:35:38 +0000

Play31. Now you can get it on a t-shirt. Or a mug. Or even a pair of unmentionables. Show your support and love for the game at our brand new Cafe Press Store.

LONDON.

becker — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:33:57 +0000

Play31 is hosting a night of R’n'B, Reggae, and Sweet African Tunes to help raise funds to distribute further footballs and football kits to communities affected by the civil war in Sierra Leone. Come get down for PEACE.