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Stories from
the Field
With year-round activities happening across our hubs in Nicaragua, Uganda, and the United States, there is no shortage of inspiring stories to share. Stay up to date with all of the latest news around Soccer Without Borders through our blog, newsletters, and social media.

Play It Forward Issue #3: The Power of Education
Step into the SWB Universe, where every newcomer has powerful stories to tell! Each week in December, a new issue will unfold a powerful...
Soccer Without Borders
Dec 9, 2024


James’ Inspiring Journey: SWB Oakland Participant Plays for The Town FC at ‘The Soccer Tournament’
Whenever he steps onto the soccer pitch, it doesn’t take long for James’ talents as a technical winger, his wicked speed, and his ‘wand’...
Luke Frey-Wedeen, SWB
Jul 8, 2024

Swap Mushiana Named SWB’s First Director of Behavioral Health & Wellness
Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to announce that Swap Mushiana has been named our first-ever Director of Behavioral Health and...
Soccer Without Borders
Jun 19, 2024

Soccer Without Borders Joins the Sport for Refugees Coalition
“Sport has the power to align our passion, energy and enthusiasm around a collective cause. And that is precisely when hope can be...
Soccer Without Borders
Apr 5, 2024

Jules Mayele Named Director of SWB Uganda
Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to announce that Jules Mayele has been named Director of SWB Uganda! An alumnus of the program,...
Soccer Without Borders
Jan 17, 2024


SWB Maryland Youth Leaders Featured by Fox 45 Baltimore
This past summer, our Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Maryland hub was featured in a special report by local news affiliate Fox 45...
Soccer Without Borders
Sep 13, 2023

From Displacement to Belonging: Soccer's Impact on the Refugee Experience
Highlights from our June 22, 2023 event, From Displacement to Belonging: Soccer's Impact on the Refugee Experience. Every refugee's...
Soccer Without Borders
Jul 11, 2023


SWB Uganda’s Masika Munoya Featured by the U.S. State Department Foreign Policy Classroom
Photo from @RachelEClement on Twitter; https://tinyurl.com/2rubt77m In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Secretary’s Office of...
Soccer Without Borders
Apr 4, 2023


Coach Spotlight: SWB Oakland’s Hajar Abulfazl
Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to welcome Beyond Sport award-winner Dr. Hajar Abulfazl as the newest staff team member at our...
Sophia Goethals, SWB
Mar 7, 2023

SWB Massachusetts Director Bruno Contreras Featured on the Inspira Podcast
Launched in January 2023, the Inspira podcast, hosted by Erika Mueller Chen, is an interview-based podcast that provides career advice...
Soccer Without Borders
Feb 14, 2023


In the Huddle: The Value of School-Based Partnerships at SWB Baltimore & Beyond
Partnerships directly with schools are an effective way to meet newcomer students where they are.
Ryan Gitonga
Dec 27, 2022


Storytelling Event Featuring USWNT's Naomi Girma
U.S. Women’s National Team and San Diego Wave Defender Naomi Girma recently joined SWB for a storytelling event where she spoke about...
Sophia Goethals, SWB
Dec 23, 2022

In the Huddle: A Spotlight on the Creating Belonging Series
“Belonging”, “inclusion”, “equity”, “opportunity” – you won’t have to spend much time around a Soccer Without Borders (SWB) program...
Soccer Without Borders
Sep 21, 2022


World Refugee Day 2022: Celebrating and Honoring SWB's Newcomers
Today is World Refugee Day, an international day of recognition organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)....
Soccer Without Borders
Jun 20, 2022


Soccer Without Borders Featured in Laureus Article
Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Founder and Oakland Program Director Ben Gucciardi and SWB Co-Founder and Executive Director Mary Conner...
Soccer Without Borders
Apr 18, 2022


In Case You Missed It: How Soccer Can Support Newcomer Afghan Youth
"Any activity that centers play and that helps a person feel a sense of belonging is going to be a source of joy and is going to be a...
Soccer Without Borders
Apr 14, 2022


Coach Perspective: Getting Girls in the Game at Lansdowne Middle School
Coach-Mentor Max Graves shares his perspective on the Lansdowne Middle School Soccer Without Borders program and their gender equity efforts
Max Graves
Apr 5, 2022

Free Workshop Series: How Soccer Can Support Newcomer Afghan Youth
Soccer Without Borders is pleased to announce a new virtual workshop series entitled How Soccer Can Support Newcomer Afghan Youth. This...
Soccer Without Borders
Jan 26, 2022


SWB Baltimore Featured by BCPS
Soccer Without Borders' Baltimore summer program has been featured by Baltimore County Public Schools as part of its "Summer Stories"...
Soccer Without Borders
Aug 31, 2021


SWB Included in MPI Report on Strengthening Services for Unaccompanied Children in U.S.
With an increasing number of unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the United States’ southern border, the Migration Policy...
Dara Ely, SWB
Jun 18, 2021
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