Hi everyone! We are Jaxen and Kason, and we are excited to share an opportunity that we have been given through Select Generation FC!! We have both been invited to attend the Winter Camp in Bournemouth, England, from December 28th through January 8th. During the 10-day trip, we will train with professional coaches, play against two European clubs, and have the opportunity to play in front of professional scouts. This is a huge opportunity for both of us, and we are hoping to raise enough money to make this trip possible!

Hello, this is Jaxen! First and foremost, I want to give thanks to God, without him, I would be nothing and I would not be where I’m at in my life. I consider myself a very religious athlete, I pray before games, during games, and after games. I have been playing soccer since I was 3 and I am now 17. Soccer has always been something I could turn to if I was ever bored or was down about something then I would have a ball at my feet. This sport has taught me what it means to be determined, hardworking, and resilient. I have learned to face my fears and challenges because of soccer, it has truly helped shape me into the person I am today. Not only has it helped build my character, but it has also given me so many friends that I wouldn’t have known before. I plan to play at the collegiate level and then hopefully continue my career professionally. Getting the opportunity to go to England, train in a different soccer environment, play against European competition, and potentially be seen by professional scouts is something I never imagined I would get the chance to do. I know an opportunity like this doesn’t come around often, and I want to make the most of it! Thank you!

Hello, my name is Kason Smith! I have been playing soccer since I was four years old, and I am now 16. Soccer has been a huge part of my life because I have been playing it for so long. Over the years, soccer has taught me more life skills than I can even think of. It has taught me the importance of hard work, determination, teamwork, and how to work well with the people around me. Most importantly, it has taught me what it means to show up for someone else and always be there for your teammates. My goal is to play soccer at the collegiate level and see how far I can take the sport. Coming from a small school, it can be hard to get the recognition that we feel we deserve. That is one of the reasons this opportunity to go to England means so much to me. Getting to train in a different soccer environment, experience a different style of play, and compete against European competition would be an amazing experience. Being able to share this opportunity with one of my best friends makes it even more special. This trip could help both of us get closer to our lifelong dreams and give us experiences that we will never forget. I know opportunities like this do not come around often, so I want to work hard, learn as much as I can, and make the most of every second. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

The cost of this opportunity is a big part of why we are asking for help. The Select Generation camp costs $2,950 for each of us, making the cost of both camps $5,900. Our round-trip plane tickets are roughly $2,480 for both of us, bringing our current expenses to around $8,380. We are setting our fundraising goal at $9,000 to help cover the transaction fees that are deducted from donations through GoFundMe, as well as any unexpected travel expenses that may come up. We are extremely grateful for everyone who is willing to help us get one step closer to making this opportunity possible, thank you very much for reading this, and we greatly appreciate you!!

We know that this is a big goal, and we know that not everyone is able to donate. Any amount, no matter how small, would help us get closer to making this opportunity possible. If you are unable to donate, sharing our fundraiser with your friends and family would mean just as much to us. We are extremely thankful for everyone who takes the time to read our story, donate, share, or simply support us. We truly appreciate everyone who helps us take this next step in our soccer journeys! ⚽️