Helping sports properties to grow internationally

This holiday season, the ISL foundation in collaboration with Barça Academy US Carolinas is making the holidays of child refugees truly special by gifting them soccer gear donations.

The campaign, also known as #SoccerLovesUkraine, is working closely with players from the different academies to gather all donated goods for child refugees from Ukraine that now reside in Poland. What started off as a small yet mighty donation effort by fellow Barça Academy Carolinas player, Alex Cordora, turned into a collective effort between the Barça Academy Carolinas and the ISL Foundation. 

When asked what motivated him to start this initiative, Cordora said the following: 

“I knew about the war and I learned about the effects that it had on the people in Ukraine and all around the world and I thought that they could use something to boost their spirits”

Full interview HERE

Through this campaign, kids are welcome to donate various types of lightly used soccer gear ranging from cleats to soccer balls and even shin guards. The donations will then be sent off to Poland where a vast majority of Ukrainian refugees have fled in an attempt to escape the war. 

This campaign is one of the many different efforts managed by the ISL foundation and although each campaign has addressed various social topics or issues, this campaign in particular is one that will directly impact the lives of many children who have been forced to flee their home country with little to no time for packing any personal items. 

“I would like to help out the Ukrainian refugees in need in Poland and give them a positive distraction and something to take their mind off the war” – Cordora when asked how he thinks this campaign can help children currently in shelters.  

#SoccerLovesUkraine is an opportunity for us to collectively come together as a community not only through our love for soccer but through our core values of teamwork and empathy. ISL is a global community with the power to drive positive impact across this world, we take pride in helping others and hope #SoccerLovesUkraine will give Ukrainian children a memorable holiday season.  

Please bring donations to Barça Academy Carolinas practice location in the USA between November 28th-December 4th, 2022. Donations can include new and gently used soccer equipment (cleats, shin guards, balls, pumps, gloves, etc.) and/or money to cover costs for shipping.