Warsaw Diamonds - Euro Cup Campaign
Donation protected
We are the Warsaw Diamonds.
Back in 2009, as a U.S. expat living in Poland, I agreed to coach a trio of girls that wanted to put together their own fast-pitch softball team and compete at a high level. In a country that is not known for softball -- where there is very little government support, where the first question from new recruits is often "What is softball?", where legitimate playing fields are as rare as... um... diamonds -- this was no easy feat. Yet, fast forward to 2015, and we have the largest and most successful softball program in Poland.
After six years of passionate and persistent engagement, we finally achieved one of our loftiest goals: in 2014, we won the Polish Championship. We now have a chance to play in the European Cup against some of the elite teams from neighboring countries.
We have the talent. We have the desire. We have the grit. But we lack the financial resources. Since our inception, we have been self-funded. The players all make routine contributions. The coaches are all volunteers and often come out of pocket to fund expenses. Each year, we struggle to cover the costs to play the league games, though each year we manage.
The European Cup, however, is a new... um... ballgame. In August, we have to travel from Warsaw, Poland, to Dupnitsa, Bulgaria, where we will need accommodations and local travel for 7 days. The costs are extensive; for this event alone, we will pay close to $11,000 -- 2.5 times what we invest in a full season in Poland. So, we are asking for your help.
No amount is too small, and each and every donation will get personal recognition via both a thank you on our web site and inclusion on a large banner we will display during the Cup. For more generous donations, we have a few prizes to communicate our appreciation.
Our players put together the video above to help tell the story. I have also included a couple of links below if you wish to learn more about us. Even if you opt not to donate to the cause, we hope that you will become a fan.
Warsaw Diamonds Facebook Page
Warsaw Diamonds Web Site
Warsaw Diamonds Instagram Page
Thank you in advance.
[Full Disclosure - We are also running a small local crowdfunding campaign in Poland to help us cover the entrance fee, insurance, and a second (differently colored) uniform jersey, as required by the European Cup rules. There is no overlap between the two campaigns in the expenses that are to be covered.]
Back in 2009, as a U.S. expat living in Poland, I agreed to coach a trio of girls that wanted to put together their own fast-pitch softball team and compete at a high level. In a country that is not known for softball -- where there is very little government support, where the first question from new recruits is often "What is softball?", where legitimate playing fields are as rare as... um... diamonds -- this was no easy feat. Yet, fast forward to 2015, and we have the largest and most successful softball program in Poland.
After six years of passionate and persistent engagement, we finally achieved one of our loftiest goals: in 2014, we won the Polish Championship. We now have a chance to play in the European Cup against some of the elite teams from neighboring countries.
We have the talent. We have the desire. We have the grit. But we lack the financial resources. Since our inception, we have been self-funded. The players all make routine contributions. The coaches are all volunteers and often come out of pocket to fund expenses. Each year, we struggle to cover the costs to play the league games, though each year we manage.
The European Cup, however, is a new... um... ballgame. In August, we have to travel from Warsaw, Poland, to Dupnitsa, Bulgaria, where we will need accommodations and local travel for 7 days. The costs are extensive; for this event alone, we will pay close to $11,000 -- 2.5 times what we invest in a full season in Poland. So, we are asking for your help.
No amount is too small, and each and every donation will get personal recognition via both a thank you on our web site and inclusion on a large banner we will display during the Cup. For more generous donations, we have a few prizes to communicate our appreciation.
Our players put together the video above to help tell the story. I have also included a couple of links below if you wish to learn more about us. Even if you opt not to donate to the cause, we hope that you will become a fan.
Warsaw Diamonds Facebook Page
Warsaw Diamonds Web Site
Warsaw Diamonds Instagram Page
Thank you in advance.
[Full Disclosure - We are also running a small local crowdfunding campaign in Poland to help us cover the entrance fee, insurance, and a second (differently colored) uniform jersey, as required by the European Cup rules. There is no overlap between the two campaigns in the expenses that are to be covered.]
Organizer
Christopher Sweeney
Organizer
Brentwood, TN
