SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Adam Miles is big on belonging, so after years as a Wall Street Investment Consultant and 35 years working in Japan for several foreign auto companies, he decided to make a change.
He came back to the United States and found a new purpose. He wanted to help refugees from other countries coming to Utah.
He started Refugee Soccer and a new program called #YouBelong.
His idea was to start a soccer league for refugee teen women between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age.
“We have girls from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo, Venezuela, all over the world and some of them can’t even play soccer in their own country, they are not allowed,” Miles said.
So, with a volunteer staff and a lot of hard work and compassion, Miles found coaches like former soccer player Marli Berg and others.
Refugee Soccer was up and running, and Miles said it’s all about belonging.
He said, “We all want to belong, it’s a human right, we are all members of the human race, and I don’t care what color you are, what language you speak or what country you come from.”
Many of the girls on the team speak different languages, and communication during practice can be a problem.
Berg said, “Something special happens when you introduce a soccer ball into the group, soccer becomes the common language — the girls open up, they smile, they laugh they connect through sport.”
Last year Miles’s refugee group went to New Zealand to connect with players there. This year’s group is planning a trip to Spain where they will host the #We Belong World Soccer Games.
They will be playing with other refugee players from places like Japan, Pakistan, Spain and Ukraine.
Miles has been busy fundraising, and the girls have been busy practicing and getting to know each other.
Most of the equipment for the team is donated — everything from soccer balls, nets, secondhand soccer cleats and uniform t-shirts.
The team could use more help and meet Spencer Carver from Mountain America Credit Union donated $500 to the group to add to their travel expenses.
If you would like to donate, you can go to the Refugee Soccer website.
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Publish date : 2024-09-25 11:30:00
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