Soccer leagues with a purpose

Can Soccer Effect Change in America

February 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Pure Game has submitted its idea for Ideas for Change in America. We believe that soccer should be used to bring about positive change in children’s lives here in the US. Through the program laid out below we think Pure Game can be an agent for change and with your support this can be a reality. Click here to cast your vote.

Pure Game’s Idea for Change in America

Pure Game believes soccer should be played with flair and freedom. Pure Game gives players the opportunity to express themselves by teaching the fundamental skills of soccer while encouraging creative play. Pure Game is committed to providing a secure, positive environment for players who set their own level of competition and are simply seen as kids with a ball at their feet.

Pure Games simplicity is adaptable to any situation making it ideal to be used as a social aid program. We will use soccer to reach homeless children, orphans, foster care, and those in under resourced areas. Through money Pure Game generates from paid leagues, similar free leagues will be organized for those who do not have the financial means. Pure Game will use the game of soccer to address the local, and eventually global, needs: hunger, poverty, healthcare, and education.

Pure Game sees the game itself as the best teacher for skills and knowledge, so we let them play. An individual scoring system allows for a competitive edge and keeps the game interesting without over-emphasizing winning or losing. Within this unique environment, players thrive by improving their skills, building relationships, and learning life lessons. A teaching component that covers topics such as general education, health education, life choices, and spiritual development will be incorporated. Pure Game will use the game of soccer to demonstrate the value of each individual and lead individuals to embrace who s/he is and encourage the individual to share what s/he can offer to the world.

The values-based teaching style of Pure Game emphasizes lessons that apply on and off the field. Core values like fair play, cooperation, and personal growth are incorporated as part of the experience; this builds confidence among players and inspires teamwork. Sportsmanship is a key priority and players are recognized for demonstrating integrity, gratitude, and generosity in ways that transcend the boundaries of a soccer field. A direct application of these life values within a league setting results in higher retention among players than in classrooms and other settings.

Pure Game’s mentoring program teaches servant leadership by equipping older players to serve younger players through mentorship. By encouraging younger players, mentors grow by serving others and experience the personal benefits and relationships that result. Through the development of peer relationships, the teaching module can be easily implemented and will be more effective.

Pure Game is a unique league program for players of any age and ability. Pure Game is played on small-sided fields with teams of 3 or 4 players, allowing for more touches on the ball which will promote skillful creative play. Players join the leagues as an individual, negating the need to find a team to play on. Each game is played for five minutes and teams are reorganized for every game. Over the course of the session, players will have played with and against every member of the league. This creates the unique Pure Game league system. Players earn points for wins and losses which accrue through the duration of the league, creating an individual league standing for the player.

Let me know what you think, has soccer got what it takes to make change?

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Mia Hamm Celebrity Soccer Challenge

January 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Want to know how soccer can have an impact on the world?

A couple of weekends ago Pure Game partnered with the Mia Hamm foundation. We had 60 children of all ages playing in a Pure Game league. Out of those kids who played 22 came from the Kinship Center, an Orange County foster care program. Sponsored to play in the league and be a part of the Celebrity Soccer Challenge, Kinship families got to experience something they may not normally get chance to. Mia Hamm and Normar Garciaparra showed up and handed out signed photos for all the participants.

Mia and Normar come see the Pure Game event

When the Pure Game tournament finished all the families made their way to the Home Depot Center to watch the main event.

The 3rd Annual Mia Hamm & Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge took place on January 16th 2010.

A record number of attendees signed up for the National Marrow Donor Program registry at the event. The Celebrity Soccer Challenge remains one of City of Hope’s most successful drives. Almost 50% of the new registrants were “ethnic minorities”, which is encouraging news, since people of ethnic or mixed ethnic decent are the most difficult to find matches for.

The event raised over $100,000 for Mia Hamm Foundation and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

There was record turnout for the event this year, with many great fans in attendance.

Celebrity participants included Donald Faison (SCRUBS), Ryan Nyquist (BMX Champion), Adrian R’Mante (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody), Stacy Keibler (Dancing with the Stars and How I Met Your Mother), Jordan Farmar (Los Angeles Lakers), Brandi Chastain (US Soccer Icon), Gilles Marini (Dancing with the Stars and ABC’s Brothers & Sisters) and more.

Sponsors & support included NIKE, Gatorade, ViaCord, Intel, Dannon, FC Barcelona, Starwood, etc.

Mia Hamm used soccer to raise awareness and ultimately cash for this cause. What else can be done? Is soccer big enough to help? Are the big named players doing enough with their influence? Let me know what you think.

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The Pure Game Story

January 20, 2010 · 2 Comments

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Pure Game Partners with Celebrity Soccer Challenge

October 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Pure Game Mia Hamm tourney mark your calendars for Saturday, January 16, 2010! PureGame will be hosting a tournament in partnership with the Celebrity Soccer Challenge. The event is sponsored by the Mia Hamm / Nomar Garciaparra Foundation and the proceeds will benefit the Mia Hamm Foundation and bone marrow transplant patients and their families at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

PureGame’s tournment begins at 1 p.m. at Field 7 of the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. Boys and girls aged 8-16 years old are eligible to participate and the $40 registration includes the tournament entry fee and admission to the Celebrity Soccer Challenge event.

The Celebrity Soccer Challenge features an impressive lineup of athletes including Tony Hawk, Annika Sorenstam, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Brandi Chastain, Abby Wambach, Heather O’Reilly, Rivers Cuomo, Gilles Marini and Ryan Nyquest.

TO REGISTER:

Call 310.838.3474
Email:
miacharityticketinfo@wmgllc.com or info@thepuregame.com
Please mention Pure game in your correspondence

See the flyer

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