Good things happen when kids are free to play.

Transcription

1 Good things happen when kids are free to play.

2 SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS PACKAGE.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT IS FREE FOOTIE? THE FREE FOOTIE STORY FREE TO PLAY FREE TO GROW FREE SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS ABOUT THE FOUNDER BOARD OF DIRECTORS FREEDOM IN NUMBERS FREEDOM OF SPEECH GET INVOLVED

4 Free Footie is a totally free after school soccer league for kids in the highest needs neighbourhoods of Edmonton kids who have barriers to the regular leagues. With Free Footie, every kid is free to play.

5

6

7 FREE FOOTIE 3 The Free Footie Story It began, appropriately enough, with a group of kids kicking around a soccer ball at an inner city high school. Tim Adams was there doing a story at the school for CBC radio and he stopped to watch. The kids had a lot of enthusiasm but no structure nobody to give them the guidance and support that many other kids get to develop their skills. The principal noticed his interest and invited him to start a team. This was a very high-needs school, and many of the kids had horrific life stories. One had been a child soldier in his homeland. Another was abandoned by his parents. Some were spending their nights on the streets or in drug houses. All of them wanted to play all they needed was a role model and some support. When we started playing we lost every game and got in fights with every team, Tim remembers. Eventually though, my players would pick up an opponent if they slipped on the field. And we won everything there was to win. Then the younger ones wanted to get involved the little brothers and sisters who were watching from the sidelines as their older siblings took to the field to play. Tim formed a second team for these youngsters and gave them coaching, but they needed someone to play against. So he went to the other schools in the inner city neighborhood and got three more teams organized. Free Footie was born.

8 FREE FOOTIE 4 Free to play Being on the team changed the social interaction of students at each grade level. Students who were on the periphery before were now very much included. It was great to see. Free Footie targets the highest needs elementary schools in Edmonton. The schools are in neighborhoods, that according to census studies, have the highest poverty rates, most subsidized housing, least access to transportation, largest population of newcomers and refuges and highest proportions of lone parent families. Our mission is to ensure that every kid in those schools who wants to play soccer, can. Free Footie ensures that any girl or boy in Grades 4, 5, and 6 who attends schools in the areas we serve and wants to play soccer, can. Every child gets equal playing time and girls and boys play together. There are no registration fees and every child is given a pair of shin pads, soccer socks, shorts, and a jersey. But fees and equipment are often not the only barriers to play. Many of these children come from challenging home environments and have limited access to transportation. That s why we made Free Footie a program that takes place right after classes, and games are usually scheduled so teams play against teams from schools right in their neighbourhoods, so access and transportation issues are minimized. Free Footie makes it easy for any child to get in the game.

9

10 FREE FOOTIE 6 Free to grow Some of our students have never had the opportunity to play or showed an interest in team sports. It was wonderful to see them playing, smiling, and showing sportsmanship. This is about much more than soccer. An opportunity to participate in organized sports can also be a pathway to a better life for those who need it most. For many kids, this is an opportunity to get relief from oftenstressful home situations, to get off the streets, and onto a playing field where their energy and ambitions can be directed in positive ways. In this program, they learn about teamwork and sportsmanship. They feel the thrill of pulling on a jersey to represent their school in weekly local games and at the end-of-season city-wide tournament. They quickly develop a sense of belonging, something many of them have never truly felt before. They get to grow in many ways. As a league we have grown quickly, too. We started with four teams. As of this last season, there are 30. That s 600 kids now who are benefiting from the Free Footie experience and that proves that the need is there.

11

12

13 FREE FOOTIE 9 Free support for schools Schools in high-need neighbourhoods are typically over-burdened and under-funded, so this program is designed to bring benefits such as increased school spirit and greater options for deserving kids while making it as simple as possible for schools to participate. Free Footie organizes the schedule, marks the fields, recruits and manages volunteer referees, and takes care of all equipment needs including finding funding, ordering, and delivering it to schools. The only thing the school needs to do is provide the coaches for the once-a-week practices and the once-a-week games. Thank you for according not only our school but also so many others the chance to play. The practices and games brought our community together and was a great spirit-builder.

14

15 FREE FOOTIE 11 about the founder Tim Adams is a reporter for CBC Edmonton (93.9 FM). He is also a lifelong soccer nut. In 2003, he launched a program in his hometown in Ontario called Cleats for Kids a program that collects used soccer equipment for kids in need that continues to this day. Since 2005, he has been an organizer of kids soccer in inner-city Edmonton. He has earned a commendation from Edmonton City Hall for his volunteer work and fundraising efforts, was presented the Harry Hole Community Policing Award for community leadership, and received the Paul Harris Award from the Rotary Club for child advocacy. Avenue Magazine selected him as one of their Top 40 under 40 for 2011 in recognition of his professional and community achievements. You can contact Tim directly at tim@freefootie.ca. I believe every kid should have the chance to play soccer. I believe every kid should have the chance to play soccer, but I ve learned that just paying for a kid s registration fees does not work. What good are registration fees if the kid has no means of getting to the game? What good is transportation if the coach doesn t understand and adjust to the challenges of their home life? This is why the model of running the program through the schools and directly after the last bell actually works. The teachers and principals have great relationships with the kids and likewise the kids trust and respect them. The schools enjoy it as well because it s a great opportunity for teaching leadership, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and so many other valuable lessons.

16 FREE FOOTIE 12 Board of Directors Mark Thibeault Mark began playing competitive sports from an early age after quickly realizing it was more fun to play than to sit and watch his older sister have all the fun. After years of hard work, Mark was able to translate his athletic ability into an opportunity at a long-term career, as he received a scholarship to play volleyball at the post-secondary level. Now that his playing career is over, Mark has focused on giving back to sport, hosting volleyball camps in his old hometown, and most recently joining Free Footie as a director. Mark s athletic background, coupled with his business experience, provide a unique perspective to the ongoing growth of Free Footie. You can contact Mark at mark@freefootie.ca. Dana Adams Dana has played soccer ever since she can remember, starting in the community league in her hometown of Kimberley, B.C., and eventually playing for the Women s Varsity Soccer Team at Carleton University in Ottawa. She now works as a lawyer for Field Law in Edmonton, practicing in the areas of health law and labour and employment. When she is not at the office or helping out with Free Footie, she is busy chasing her 1-year-old daughter around, or out running with her golden retriever in Edmonton s River Valley. She also has the role of putting up with Tim at home Dana and Tim are married. You can contact Dana at dana@freefootie.ca. Akash Khokhar Akash played soccer throughout elementary and junior high but eventually came to the realization that his main skill, getting hit in the face with the ball, was not very valuable to a team. Accordingly, he moved on to other competitive sports like speech and debate. Akash now works for the Alberta Government as an advisor to the Minister of Finance and is one half of Free Footie s legal team.

17

18 FREEDOM IN NUMBERS THREE NUMBER OF YEARS TIM COACHED A high needs junior high school team TO CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SOCCER PLAN IN MOTION TO INCLUDE AN ELEMENTARY TEAM FOR YOUNGER SIBLINGS EIGHT NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS ADDED TO THE MINI LEAGUE SIXTEEN THE NUMBER OF TEAMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LEAGUE BY THE NEXT SEASON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEAM CREATED SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENTAGE OF KIDS IN THIS FIRST SCHOOL NOW PLAYING SOCCER THREE NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS INVITED TO PLAY TO CREATE A MINI LEAGUE ONE HUNDRED PERCENTAGE OF MINI LEAGUE FUNDING DONATED BY TIM ADAMS & FAMILY FIFTY THE NUMBER OF HIGH NEED SCHOOLS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE, NOW OFFICIAL, FREE FOOTIE LEAGUE FREE FOOTIE LEAGUE SEASON MOVED TO SPRING AMONG CONCERNS FOR PLAYER SAFETY WITH SHORTENED DAYLIGHT 11,000 DOLLARS RAISED THROUGH THE KICK IN FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN ON CBC

19 SIX HUNDRED NUMBER OF JERSEYS PURCHASED FOR FREE FOOTIE PLAYERS BY REACH EDMONTON S DONATION THIRTY NUMBER OF TEAMS AT WHICH THE FREE FOOTIE LEAGUE WAS CAPPED DUE TO FUNDING RESTRICTIONS 500+ DOLLAR VALUE OF MANY DONATIONS RE- CEIVED FROM LAW FIRMS, LAWYERS, AND THE EDMONTON POLICE FOUNDATION FIVE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS VOLUNTEERING FOR FREE FOOTIE, NOW OFFICIALLY A NON-PROFIT SOCIETY FOURTEEN NUMBER OF BUSES PAID FOR BY FREE FOO- TIE TO TRANSPORT ALL 26 TEAMS TO THEIR FIRST FREE FOOTIE YEAR END TOURNAMENT SIX NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS SIGNED TO REFEREE GAMES AND MENTOR FREE FOOTIE TEAMS SEVEN NUMBER OF AWARDS AND HONOURS TIM AND FREE FOOTIE HAVE RECEIVED 2012 TWENTY-ONE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATED IN FREE FOOTIE S FIRST ALL-DAY SOCCER COACHING COURSE THIRTEEN NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HONOURED TIM AT CITY HALL FOR ALL OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FREE FOOTIE PROGRAM NINE NUMBER OF GAMES PER WEEK OFFICIATED BY EDMONTON DISTRICT REFEREES ASSOCIATION, NOW AN OFFICIAL FREE FOOTIE SPONSOR 7 HUNDRED NUMBER OF CHILDREN BROUGHT TO AN FC EDMONTON GAME BY FREE FOOTIE TWO NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL SOCCER LEAGUES FREE FOOTIE HAS HELPED SET-UP HELP US FIND FREEDOM IN NUMBERS AND KEEP FREE FOOTIE FREE BY MAKING YOUR DONATION SO EVERY KID CAN PLAY

20 FREE FOOTIE 16 FreeDOM OF EXPRESSION Love Tim s leadership! I have seen students who would never ever have a chance to be on a team just thrive and not just in soccer, but behaviour and academics thanks to Tim. I love Free Footie cause everyone gets a chance to play and there s no favourites. Jordan, Free Footie player You are truly making a difference for our students. Many would not play organized soccer if it wasn t for you. It warms our hearts and brings tears to our eyes to have our students compete! It is getting better and better! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Karen N. B. Craig, Principal St. Maria Goretti School I like the soccer games, the jerseys and the shin guards really helped. This is the best thing ever. I want to join again. Jordan, Free Footie player

21 FREE FOOTIE 17 You have made students in our school feel important and part of a team. They wear their jerseys with pride. We have such a dichotomy between students who are fully supported and in all ventures at home and play on multiple teams to these students who have never had this opportunity. You make their year! Antonio, Free Footie player This is bringing soccer to the kids, instead of them having to sign up, instead of parents having to try get there kids here and there. I don t think people understand how challenging it is to get to play sports when you don t have access to a vehicle. These kids would never have a ride, they would never play. We see more kids from our area getting involved in this than any other program. Grace, parent of Free Footie player This league is so much fun. Soccer is now my favourite sport. I wish we could keep playing through the summer. Antonio, Free Footie player This program is and I am not overstating a life altering experience for several of our students. Free Footie Coach

22

23 FREE FOOTIE 19 Get Involved! Free Footie is run entirely by volunteers and supported by sponsorpartners and individual donors. There are no administrative costs every cent of every dollar contributed goes directly to the kids. For more detailed information including financial information, please see the separate insert included in this report or us for a copy. To find out more about how you can help keep this vital program alive in our communities, contact us at contact@freefootie.ca or visit Your donation will help to ensure that every child is free to play.

24