Playing (Soccer) For Change in Nicaragua

Celebrating the International Day of Peace with Copa de la Paz

The International Day of Peace, observed globally on September 21st, was established by the United Nations to strengthen ideals of peace worldwide. Each year, Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Nicaragua celebrates this day with the Copa de Paz (Peace Cup), the region’s largest all-girls soccer tournament.

Aligned with this year’s theme of 'Cultivating a Culture of Peace,' the Copa de Paz is more than just a soccer event. It provides local girls with a safe space to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and connect with their community, all while promoting respect, inclusion, and mutual understanding.

Be sure to follow SWB Nicaragua (locally known as Fútbol Sin Fronteras Granada) on Instagram and Facebook for highlights and fun photos from this year’s Copa de la Paz!

Creating Community: 2024 TEAM Camp Recap

The latest edition of TEAM Camp, hosted by SWB Nicaragua, wrapped up in July with great success! This annual event brought together girls from across the Granada region for team-building activities, leadership workshops, and plenty of soccer.

SWB Nicaragua’s camps are week-long celebrations held during out-of-school time. Each camp lifts up and amplifies the themes of teamwork, inclusion, and gender equity, both within and beyond the SWB Nicaragua community. Through SWB's year-round programs and annual camps, girls aged 6-20 develop critical skills and a sense of belonging that supports their growth, inclusion, and personal success.

The summer 2024 edition of TEAM Camp was made even more special by the visit of two SWB volunteers from the United States!

“What stood out the most was how genuinely excited, happy, and grateful the girls were just to participate,” reflected Olivier, a visiting volunteer. “Before every session, they’d run up and hug us and their coaches, and they did the same at the end. This is so different from many teams I’ve worked with, and I think it comes down to opportunity.”

Olivier continued, “In the U.S., kids have more chances to play, so practice may not feel like a big deal. But for some kids in Nicaragua, the SWB program is their only opportunity, and they appreciate it so much more.”

The excitement didn’t end there—the July camp also coincided with the 2024 Paris Olympics, offering our participants the chance to learn about different cultures and countries around the world. TEAM Camp wrapped up with an Olympic-themed day full of fun, learning, and energy! The day was made even more special by the presence of Nicaraguan Olympic rower Evidelia González Jarquin.

At SWB, we believe that joy is contagious—“you play best when you’re smiling.” A huge thank you to the coaches, staff, volunteers, participants, and the entire SWB community in Nicaragua for hosting another incredible TEAM Camp and spreading joy across Granada and beyond!

The Latest Edition of SWB Nicaragua’s TEAM Camp is Coming in July!

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is thrilled to announce that the latest edition of our TEAM Camp is happening over a two-week period from July 14-28, 2024! Our TEAM Camp – a "Spanglish" acronym meaning "trabajando en equipo aprendemos más" or "working as a team we learn more" – brings girls together from across the Granada region to participate in completely free, specially designed team-building activities, leadership workshops, and (of course) lots of soccer! Each camp celebrates and amplifies the themes of teamwork, inclusion, gender equity, and so much more.

“Visiting a TEAM Camp is a life-changing experience. I’ve been lucky to participate in six and would recommend this experience to everyone and anyone,” exclaims Larkin Brown, current SWB Director of Monitoring and Learning and former SWB Nicaragua Director.

“When I first attended TEAM Camp in 2010,” Larkin continues, “I was struck by the scarcity of female-identifying athletic role models in Granada. The experience allowed me to learn alongside young girls who identified as athletes and were courageous enough to be that authentic version of themselves even without societal support or representation of women in sports.”

Fun and Festive Mother’s Day Celebrations at SWB Nicaragua

Throughout the month of May, participants from SWB Nicaragua were buzzing with excitement as they gathered together to celebrate the mothers who mean so much to them. The celebrations began with arts and crafts activities before the moms of SWB Nicaragua joined us for special games, prizes, and even a Zumbathon (a beloved tradition at our Nicaragua hub). The celebration ended on a high note as participants and coaches performed a Mother’s Day song for everyone in attendance.

Introducing the Fraternidad Cup: The Newest SWB Nicaragua Tournament

On May 11th, coaches, participants, parents, and representatives from the local community gathered together to inaugurate the Fraternidad Cup – the newest tournament organized by SWB Nicaragua – with a parade winding through the neighborhoods of Granada.

The tournament, which carried the motto “Strong and Empowered Girls,” included teams made up of participant girls from throughout the community. Not only that, but the tournament also kicked off with a special appearance by representatives from the Citizen Power Mayor's Office, the Alexis Arguello Sports Movement, and the Municipal President of the Granada City Football Federation.

Serving the Community for Earth Day 2024

Back in April, in recognition of Earth Day, SWB staff, coaches, and participants gathered together for a day of service at Lake Cocibolca, the tenth-largest freshwater lake in the Americas.

At SWB, we take a “whole person” approach to youth development; our programs help young people come into a greater, holistic understanding of their bodies, minds, and voices. This also means that we value public service opportunities like this one, where SWB youth not only get the chance to learn to care for the planet, the ecosystem, and their community, but also get their hands dirty by doing their part to clean up the places they call home.

Read the 2023 Soccer Without Borders Annual Report, Available Now

2023 was a monumental year for soccer and for Soccer Without Borders. It was a year that showed us that the world is catching on to the vision and mission of SWB and sharing our worldview that soccer creates a more equitable and inclusive world.

Dive into the impact and celebrate the highlights across all of SWB in our recently released Annual Report! You'll find inspiring stories, key achievements, and a detailed look at the ways soccer continues to be a vehicle for positive change in both Nicaragua and beyond!

Links:

• SWB Nicaragua is now on Instagram!