IEFC COLLECTING JERSEYS, SOCCER GEAR AT AUGUST 5 KICK-OFF

Indiana Elite FC is partnering with two outreach organizations to collect used soccer gear which will be sent across the world to disadvantaged children.  We hope to collect a record number of items to really make a difference to these young players. 

Kids Alive

Faith-based Kids Alive has rescued orphans and other vulnerable and forgotten children in 15 countries around the world.  These kids receive love, care, and a quality education, helping break the bondage of hunger, abuse, and exploitation.  Kids Alive President Matt Parker and his son, Nathan, a member of IEFC’s 2002 Premier MRL Boys team, have put their hearts into making a difference for underprivileged kids.  Matt just returned from visiting the Kids Alive project in South Sudan.  The children in South Sudan have an affinity toward soccer, and in particular, love wearing any soccer jerseys they receive through donation.  Following in the footsteps of his father, Nathan traveled on a mission trip to Kids Alive Haiti with his church group in June, and even did some soccer coaching while he was there.  

In September, Kids Alive is sending donated soccer jerseys abroad and is partnering with Indiana Elite FC to collect items during the soccer club’s Fifth Annual Season Kick-Off event at noon on August 5 at the Crown Point fields, 4901 E. 109th Ave., Crown Point, IN.  Our goal is to collect 1,000 jerseys for these young players abroad.  Jerseys can  be either old Indiana Elite FC shirts or outgrown European professional-league jerseys. 

Nigerian Youth Teams

In addition, Staff Coach Tijani “TJ” Ayegbusi has coordinated an exchange with underprivileged Nigerian youth soccer teams for the last five years.  This collection is held yearly in conjunction with IEFC’s annual Kickoff event. Players in Lagos, Nigeria, often play in their bare feet, with little more than handmade soccer balls.  These underprivileged Nigerian youth soccer teams desperately need sports equipment donations including shoes, socks, uniforms, and cleats.

With the start of our new uniform cycle, we can achieve these goals – but we need everyone’s participation.  Let’s show our support for Kids Alive by collecting 1,000 jerseys, and bringing all other used gear for Staff Coach Tijani “TJ” Ayegbusi’s Nigerian teams to the Kick-Off on August 5.  We will show our players the importance of helping others while keeping the love of soccer alive around the world.  By helping across the globe, we are spreading our love of the sport of soccer.