We'll have much, much more to say on why we're FCEarth, and what we mean by "The Culture of Soccer." In a nutshell, we believe soccer - the world's most played and watched sport - has its own unique culture, on the field and off, representative of the diverse people who love it. And we believe that soccer is an incredible opportunity to learn about the world through sport.
In giving credit where it's due, we are obviously not the first to recognize this about soccer. David Keyes is another like-minded person, and his blog, Culture of Soccer, explores the intersection of soccer, the people who play it, and history, sociology, and all other aspects of humanity. My fellow Ohioan Keyes hasn't posted since May- come on back, David!
And even closer to our brand is the post "Cleggy's Blog" about Earth FC - a dream team that this mysterious blogger (no "About Us" available) identified to represent mother Earth in a fictional Intergalactic Cup. What I love about his roster is that its not just the most obvious, most popular players in the world (with the notable exception of Beckham off the bench.) I'd probably still make room for the recently retired Zidane on my squad, but I love where he's going with it.
Who would be on your "Earth FC?"
TBA Announcement
Showing posts with label fcearth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fcearth. Show all posts
Tuesday
Blatter Happy with South Africa's Progress
South Africa's Dispatch Online reports that FIFA chief Sepp Blatter's recent visit to South Africa, ahead of the nation's hosting the 2010 World Cup, was not an inspection, just a visit- and a positive one at that.
Blatter believes that the host cities need to step up their marketing efforts in promoting the sporting world's greatest quadrennial showcase, but that the security and construction challenges in South Africa are experienced by every host.
I haven't historically agreed with many of Blatter's remarks and decisions (like when in 2004 he suggested that women soccer players should wear skimpier shorts!)
But I am thoroughly behind him in supporting South Africa as 2010 host; how much more uplifting could it be than a less powerful and prosperous nation hosts a successful tournament?
Says Blatter: “Our world is totally disturbed but we can touch the world with football."
Blatter believes that the host cities need to step up their marketing efforts in promoting the sporting world's greatest quadrennial showcase, but that the security and construction challenges in South Africa are experienced by every host.
I haven't historically agreed with many of Blatter's remarks and decisions (like when in 2004 he suggested that women soccer players should wear skimpier shorts!)
But I am thoroughly behind him in supporting South Africa as 2010 host; how much more uplifting could it be than a less powerful and prosperous nation hosts a successful tournament?
Says Blatter: “Our world is totally disturbed but we can touch the world with football."
Saturday
Roots: Charles Renken and Homemade Soccer Balls
Justin Rodriguez at ESPN introduces us to Charles Renken, a talented 14 year old soccer player and immigrant from Africa to the U.S., who is already garnering attention from the top European leagues. The story of how Charles Bimbe was adopted by the Renken family of Illinois is inspiring.
Let's do him a favor and not call him the next Freddy Adu, since he clearly has his own unique boatload of promise as a U.S.-based soccer player. To FC Earth he is also symbolic of the unique global culture of the game. Rodriguez talks about the crude plastic balls Renken (then Charles Bimbe) and his friends made out of plastic found in the streets so they could play barefoot ball, growing up in the impoverished African nation of Zambia. How Renken, now living with U.S. U-17 National team in Bradenton, Flordia, still gets emotional when thinking about those early barefoot playing days.
A friend of mine who grew up in Brazil once told me a similar story; he grew up relatively humbly in Brazil, and in order to play the sport at which Brazil is known worldwide for its artistry and excellence, they would scrounge up socks, wad them up into a makeshift ball, and play.
I can't relate at all, although growing up I often rescued soccer balls from the trashcans at suburban soccer complexes and tried to patch them up; it seemed such a waste to toss them. Stories like these- about the efforts youth go to just to make a ball, the only piece of gear you need to play, are among the cultural inspirations behind FC Earth.
Let's do him a favor and not call him the next Freddy Adu, since he clearly has his own unique boatload of promise as a U.S.-based soccer player. To FC Earth he is also symbolic of the unique global culture of the game. Rodriguez talks about the crude plastic balls Renken (then Charles Bimbe) and his friends made out of plastic found in the streets so they could play barefoot ball, growing up in the impoverished African nation of Zambia. How Renken, now living with U.S. U-17 National team in Bradenton, Flordia, still gets emotional when thinking about those early barefoot playing days.
A friend of mine who grew up in Brazil once told me a similar story; he grew up relatively humbly in Brazil, and in order to play the sport at which Brazil is known worldwide for its artistry and excellence, they would scrounge up socks, wad them up into a makeshift ball, and play.
I can't relate at all, although growing up I often rescued soccer balls from the trashcans at suburban soccer complexes and tried to patch them up; it seemed such a waste to toss them. Stories like these- about the efforts youth go to just to make a ball, the only piece of gear you need to play, are among the cultural inspirations behind FC Earth.
Tuesday
Beginnings: FC Earth and Soccer People
We are Soccer People.
Soccer People not only love the sport- playing it and watching it- but we love everything else about it.
The outdoorsiness and the smell of a freshly cut field at the beginning of a spring or autumn season.
The total fitness and unique athleticism that our game requires and that you develop over time.
The great clubs spread out on every continent- their storied histories and transcendent names and logos.
The dire importance of our quadrennial world championship.
The gear.
The colorful language used on the field, which unifies the hundreds of languages we speak.
Soccer is not only the world's favorite sport. It's also an incredible window into how people and cultures interact with each other and the planet.
FC Earth is a humble spot on the web that hopes to capture a little bit of a global culture that soccer reflects.
Soccer People not only love the sport- playing it and watching it- but we love everything else about it.
The outdoorsiness and the smell of a freshly cut field at the beginning of a spring or autumn season.
The total fitness and unique athleticism that our game requires and that you develop over time.
The great clubs spread out on every continent- their storied histories and transcendent names and logos.
The dire importance of our quadrennial world championship.
The gear.
The colorful language used on the field, which unifies the hundreds of languages we speak.
Soccer is not only the world's favorite sport. It's also an incredible window into how people and cultures interact with each other and the planet.
FC Earth is a humble spot on the web that hopes to capture a little bit of a global culture that soccer reflects.
Sunday
About
FCEarth is tfor people who love the sport itself, and the people, the culture, and the planet that soccer belongs to.
Soccer (futbol, football, voetbal, calcio, etc) has a unique transcendence among sports, an ability to bring together people from all over the world. People from humble backgrounds or affluent neighborhoods; people who speak hundreds of different languages; people who could play in the World Cup and people who play in a back alley with a ball made of rolled up socks.
FCEarth includes a social network, a daily reader for inspirational and informative soccer stories (see our main page blog), and a brand of soccer gear that celebrates the sport and supports the planet.
FCEarth is a movement that promotes international goodwill - learning about people, diverse cultures and economies through our sport. Check back soon for more.
We are just beginning, and we welcome your feedback and ideas.
Thanks
Jeff
jeff@fcearth.com
Soccer (futbol, football, voetbal, calcio, etc) has a unique transcendence among sports, an ability to bring together people from all over the world. People from humble backgrounds or affluent neighborhoods; people who speak hundreds of different languages; people who could play in the World Cup and people who play in a back alley with a ball made of rolled up socks.
FCEarth includes a social network, a daily reader for inspirational and informative soccer stories (see our main page blog), and a brand of soccer gear that celebrates the sport and supports the planet.
FCEarth is a movement that promotes international goodwill - learning about people, diverse cultures and economies through our sport. Check back soon for more.
We are just beginning, and we welcome your feedback and ideas.
Thanks
Jeff
jeff@fcearth.com
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