One Team, One Dream: Play in the UK

How far would you travel to train with a beloved soccer coach? Thirty minutes down the road? An hour or two? How about a nine-hour plane ride across the pond? That's the dream of an Oregon team of young women campaigning to raise funds in an effort to reunite with their much-loved British coach in London over Spring Break 2019. Their trip will consist of a once-in-a-lifetime week of training, friendly matches with UK teams, and loads of fun.

These dozen-plus teens were, until recently, training with Coach Joe Smith at a Portland-area soccer club, when unexpected visa issues required him to return to England. It's undeniable that Joe inspired each one of these young women to be their best selves, on and off the pitch. When asked about his impact, they will say, “He reminded me of why I love the game of soccer,” and “Joe invested in me not only as a soccer player, but also as a person.” Clearly, Coach Joe's inspirational mark upon these athletes is indelible.

As parents, we are supporting our daughters' dream to train again with Coach Joe. The week-long March 2019 trip will include daily training sessions at world-class facilities near London, and 90-minute games with three top UK youth girls teams. Of course, there will be time for a trip or two into London to see unforgettable sights like Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, and the view from the London Eye. Four team parents will accompany the girls and will fund their own expenses. As for the team, we are engaging in multiple local fundraisers such as car washes and coupon book sales, but to meet our goal of $30,000, we need your help. If you're an aunt, uncle, grandparent, family friend, or simply a fan of soccer and ambitious young women, please contribute to our campaign and join these athletes on their One Team, One Dream: Play Soccer in the UK.