Help us buy out the refs!
We have partnered with Football for the World to help make a difference in the Omaha community by sponsoring their Referee program for Soka League.
Football for the World works to remove barriers that prevent marginalized individuals or communities from gaining the benefits of play. Here in the Greater Omaha Metro they run Soka League - a free 8 week league for communities that is helping lower the barrier to entry for the beautiful game. The fall 2023 season had 169 participants, with 54% being female. Nine high school participants were trained as referees and given a paid part-time job during each season.
Your donation will help cover the recruitment, training and 8 weeks of matches for 8 referees. Help us raise money for a great cause and make an impact on our community!
#VivaRefs
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About the Soka League
Pronunciation: "Sah-ka"
Soka is the Swahili word for soccer. Swahili is the language widely spoken in Tanzania, Uganda, and throughout East Africa. The name of the league pays homage to where Football for the World started, represents the diversity of the league, and celebrates the league's connectedness throughout the world.
Hosted and ran by Football for the World, the Soka League exists specifically to:
provide opportunities for youth, specifically youth of color and girls of color, to participate in football
eliminate the need for long commutes to participate in practices and games, significantly increasing attendance rates of participants
remove the barriers of cost affiliated with high quality coaching and equipment required to play
reduce the level of racism, sexism, and homophobia in grassroots football by emphasizing and celebrating diversity and inclusion
Soka League launched in spring 2023. The fall 2023 season had 169 participants, with 54% being female. Nine high school participants were trained as referees and given a paid part-time job during each season.
About Football for the World
Football for the World is an Omaha-based nonprofit that works to remove barriers that prevent marginalized individuals or communities from gaining the benefits of play. This is achieved through three core avenues: free soccer programming for youth including coaching education and referee training, community field projects, and equipment collection and distribution. FFTW is focused on addressing social issues of racial and gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and mental health through football (soccer).