Playing soccer is not only a form of exercise to make you healthier, but can also educate children in Sub-Saharan Africa to be healthy as well.
The Grassroot Soccer chapter at the University of Illinois aims to raise money for soccer clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa that educate children about HIV, Catherine Taich, president of the student organization and junior in LAS said.
“If you can make an impact, which we try to do, it’s worth it,” Taich said. “The clinics inform children about HIV while playing soccer,” said Noelle Freebeck, public relations chair for the RSO and sophomore in LAS.
“It’s a very different idea that incorporates bringing the children athletics and something fun that they can enjoy and get informed.”
The RSO distributes the money through Grassroot Soccer, an international non-profit organization that has launched several projects like the clinics, for example, in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
“It’s more than just ‘here is a pamphlet for a kid in Africa,’ it’s more of an interaction thing,” Freebeck said. “I feel good knowing where exactly the money is going and that the kids will play soccer.”
Taich founded the student organization in the fall of 2010. She first got involved with Grassroot Soccer as a sophomore in high school after hearing a presentation by the Grassroot Soccer organization. When she came to the University and learned that there was no Grassroot Soccer chapter, she decided to start one.
“A lot of other big college campuses have chapters of it so I contacted Grassroot Soccer and told them I wanted to start something here,” Taich said.
The RSO is currently planning for its first big event, the one-day soccer tournament Inspi(RED) to raise money for the international organization, in April 2011. The rules and idea for the 3v3 tournament are provided by the Grassroot Soccer Organization. The RSO has signed up to organize a tournament on campus. The soccer tournament will be barefoot to remind people of its connection to a bigger cause, Taich said. Teams of five will be charged a small fee to participate in the tournament.
“We hope that all across campus people will come together and create a team with their friends,” Taich said.
They are also planning for a raffle, DJ and food.
“We will just make it a fun atmosphere to raise awareness and money for such great cause,” Taich said.
The RSO is hoping for a big turn out.
“We would like to get at least 20 teams involved in the tournament,” said Joe Kosir, social events chair and sophomore in ACES, whose passion for soccer drew him to GRS.
The RSO has currently about 20 – 30 people coming to their bi-monthly meetings, although much more people are on the e-mail list.
“It is a really do-able club to be part of, especially if you are interested in philanthropy and spreading awareness for a better cause,” Taich said.
