Widgets:
Testimonials
[testimonials]
[twitter username= »themefuse » items= »4″ title= »Twitter widget » post_date = »]
[flickr flickr_id= »51362473@N05″ items= »5″ title= »Flickr photostream »]
[latest_popular_posts]
[row]
[col_1_2]
Par Gary Eliézer
Donald Guerrier, celui qui a fait la une du mois de juin dans la presse après avoir marqué un but spectaculaire contre le grand Espagne semble être oublié.
Gaucher doté d’une vision très large du jeu et un sens de but parfait, le successeur de Frantz Gilles dans la sélection haïtienne a été annoncé dans le viseur du FC Barcelone jusqu’à ce que son agent, Daniel Saint-Ange, avait nié cette information et a signalé que le joueur de l’America devrait être s’engagé de préférence avec Wisla Cracovie (Pologne) avant la Gold Cup, mais le Cayen, tout en ayant voulu sa chance de pouvoir se faire une place parmi les clubs européens, n’a pas eu le temps de mettre en évidence son talent lors de la Gold Cup après une blessure au clavicule qui le met KO et out pour 3 à 4 mois, depuis lors, le numéro 4 des Grenadiers ne fait plus l’actualité. Qu’en est-il de son contrat en Europe? Jusqu’à date une interrogation sans réponse!
Par Gary Eliézer
Le Tempête FC a présenté via son compte twitter aujourd’hui, ses 3 nouvelles recrues: l’une en provenance du Don Bosco, il s’agit du buteur Eliphène Cadet, les 2 autres en provenance respectivement du Racing Club Haïtien et Baltimore: il s’agit de Fritznel Louis et Serge Louis afin de disputer les playoffs devant débuter ce week-end.
Eliphène Cadet (32 ans) avait joué toute la saison régulière avec le Don Bosco et n’a inscrit aucun but. En effet, c’est un retour puisqu’il avait déjà porté les couleurs du club Bèl Kolôn.
Fritznel Louis (23 ans) était au Racing Club Haïtien et semble n’est plus dans le plan de Roberto Geffrard, et Serge Louis, ce dernier vient du club rival « Baltimore » est un demi-latéral.
A noter, le Tempête est en situation critique se retrouve parmi les 6 équipes qui doivent disputer les playoffs pour maintenir leur place en D1.
ASHAPS
Elles sont nombreuses, les équipes ayant joué aumoins une fois en première division, mais qui sont en danger dans le championnat national de D2, et risquent de reléguer en troisième division. Citons entre autres l’Eclair AC (Gonaïves) dans le groupe I, le Roulado (la Gonâve) et le Dynamite (Saint-Marc) dans le groupe II et l’US Frères (PV) et l’ASCAR dans le groupe III. Parallèlement, le Violette AC et l’AS Dessalines ont repris goût à la victoire. Toutefois, ce sont les équipes du Racing FC (G1), Police Nationale (G2) et la Relève (G3) qui sont aux commandes de la compétition au terme de la 14e journée disputée hier dimanche 28 juillet 2013.
Dimanche 28 juillet 2013
Groupe I, résultats de la 14e journée
AS Saint-Louis du Nord – JS Capoise : 3-0
AS Limonade – Racing FC (Gona) : 0-3 forfait
AS l’Estère – AS Capoise : discontinué
Limbé FC – Port-de-Paix FC : 1-1
AS Dessalines – Eclair AC (Gona) : 1-0
Racine GM – US la Jeune (Pignon) : non joué (intempérie)
Classement
1-Racing FC : 30 points
2-JS Capoise : 24 points
3-AS Capoise : 24 points
4-AS Saint-Louis du Nord : 23 points
5-Racine GM : 22 points
6-AS Dessalines : 20 points
7-AS l’Estère : 19 points
8-Limbé FC : 19 points
9-Port-de-Paix : 18 points
10-US la Jeune : 15 points
11-Eclair AC : 12 points
12-AS Limonade : 0 point (reléguée en ligue)
Dimanche 28 juillet 2013
Groupe II, résultats de la 14e journée
JSR (Pte Rivière de l’Art) – Panthère Noire (Lian) : 1-1
Arcahaie FC – Triomphe (Liancourt) : 5-0
Police Nationale – ASR (Pte Rivière de l’Art) : 1-0
AS Maïssade – AS Verrettes : discontinué (intempérie)
Vision AC (Hinche) – Dynamite (Saint-Marc) : 3-0
Roulado SM – Roulado (la Gonâve) : 2-0
Classement
1-Police Nationale : 32 points
2-ASR (Pte Rivière de l’Art) : 27 points
3-AS Verrettes : 25 points
4-Vision AC : 25 points
5-Triomphe FC : 21 points
6-Arcahaie FC : 19 points
7-Roulado SM : 17 points
8-JSR (Pte Rivière de l’Art) : 15 points
9-Panthère Noire : 13 points
10-Dynamite : 11 points
11-Roulado (la Gonâve) : 9 points
12-AS Maïssade : 9 points
Dimanche 28 juillet 2013
Groupe III, résultats de la 14e journée
Violette AC (P-au-P) – US Frères (PV) : 2-0
Eclair FC (Pt-Goâve) – AS Carrefour : 1-0
US Dufort – Juventus (Cayes) : 0-0
Rangers (Miragoâne) – AS Aquin : 1-0
La Relève (Jérémie) – Amateur FC (Cité Soleil) : 3-0
Barcelone (Carrefour) – Inter (Gd-Goâve) : 1-2
Classement
1-La Relève FC : 26 points
2-Amateur FC : 24 points
3-US Dufort : 24 points
4-Violette AC : 23 points
5-Juventus : 22 points
6-AS Aquin : 21 points
7-Eclair FC : 21 points
8-Inter GG : 15 points
9-Rangers : 15 points
10-US Frères : 12 points
11-Barcelone : 7 points
12-AS Carrefour : 7 points
Après avoir pris la porte de sortie au tour final des éliminatoires de la coupe du monde U-20 de la FIFA, Turquie 2013, la sélection haïtienne de football a repris les entraînements au centre FIFA Goal (Croix-des-Bouquets), le lundi 29 juillet afin de préparer la septième édition des Jeux de la Francophonie qui aura lieu à Nice (France) du 7 au 15 septembre à venir. Ainsi, les jeunes Grenadiers prendront l’avion le 15 août à destination de Boston (USA) pour y participer à un stage de perfectionnement d’une quinzaine de jours, et ce, sous l’égide de l’Union Internationale Soccer League (UISL) dirigée par Max Duréna.
Dans cette optique, la Fédération haïtienne de football (Fhf) avait publié une liste de 19 joueurs pour préparer ces jeux. Ecarté de cette sélection pour cause de santé, Shelove Compère en a profité pour faire son come-back. Même cas de figure pour Samuel Mardochée Pompée. En revanche, David-Alexandre Nélien fait figure de nouvelle apparition dans cette équipe très talentueuse. Pour le reste, ce sont les mêmes joueurs qui avaient disputé le tour final à Puebla (Mexique) des éliminatoires de la coupe du monde U-20.
Les dirigeants de l’UISL ont déjà annoncé deux tests matches pour les jeunes Grenadiers. Le 17 août, ils affronteront l’équipe de Cabo All Stars (Cap-Vert), avant de jouer le 25 août la formation d’Expos Soccer Club (Portugal) basée à New Bedford. « Pour l’instant, on a pu planifier ces deux matches, il se peut qu’on y ait un autre. Toutefois, je peux vous préciser que ces deux rencontres se joueront à White Stadium (450 Walnut Ave. Boston MA). Ce dernier a une capacité de onze mille (11.000) places », a fait savoir le président de l’Union Internationale Soccer League (UISL), Max Duréna.
Pour ce qui est de son projet baptisé : « Opération coupe du monde 2018 et 2022 », Max prévoit de venir en Haïti afin de donner une conférence le 26 septembre au local de la Fhf (Ranch de la Croix-des-Bouquets) et rencontrer les hommes d’affaires du pays, le lendemain soit le 27 septembre à venir.
A signaler que les Jeunes Grenadiers joueront dans le groupe B accompagnés des pays issus du continent Africains tels : le Liban, le Gabon et le Sénégal. Mis à part le football, Haïti sera représentée également dans d’autres disciplines, citons entre autres, le Cyclisme, le Tennis de table et la Lutte libre.
Les 19 convoqués : Esso Fraudlin Amicy, Augusmat wilberne, Edouard Voltaire, Johnley Chéry, Sheelove Compère, Spencer Désir, Luckner Junior Horat, Steven Jean Claude, James Jean Francois, Jean Dany Maurice, Renald Metellus, Charles Alexandre, Dukens Nazon, Nelien Alexandre, Luis Valendi Odelus, Paulson Pierre, Samuel Mardochée Pompée, Jude Saint-Louis et Ylozier Givemilord.
ASHAPS
Par Gary Eliézer
Le défenseur international haïtien de 23 ans, Ricardo Adé, qui n’a disputé même une seconde avec les Grenadiers pendant la Gold Cup 2013, a été prêté par le Baltimore au club américain de l’USL Pro, Orlando City SC pour le reste de la saison.
Dans une interview accordée à Artibonite Info, Ricardo Adé a confirmé cette information en déclarant: « Oui j’ai signé avec eux pour le reste de la saison selon un prêt du Baltimore. J’ai joué en amical dimanche dernier contre Strikers (l’équipe de Stéphane Guillaume), j’ai disputé tout le match mais nous nous étions inclinés 1-2 ».
Signalons que, Ricardo Adé a rejoint le capitaine de la sélection haïtienne en absence de Johny Placide, Jean-Marc Alexandre au sein d’Orlando City SC.
By Odens Jr. Pierre
US Reigns Supreme In this Year’s Gold Cup
USA won the 2013 Gold Cup against Panama Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field in front of 57,920 fans.
Second half substitute Brek Shea propelled the US to their Gold 5th Cup trophy midway through the second. Shea received a ball within a foot to the goal and tapped it in for the lone goal of the night. Shea, who came into the game 42nd earlier, scored his second international goal which proved to be the difference another time.
Prior the goal, The US had a clear chance for a penalty kick in the 52nd minute when Donovan’s cross from the right side touched the arm of Carlos Rodriguez of Panama, but the referee, Joel Aguilar did not call it for the US.
The win extended the USA’s record winning streak to 11 games, and defeated Panama allowed them to win the their first trophy under the Klinsmann era. Ironically, Klinssman was suspended at the end of the US victory in the semi final against Honduras in which the referee asked Klinsmann to leave the technical area.
In the previous Gold Cup edition, they were defeated in the Final 4-2 in the 2011 Gold Cup to Mexico. Consequently, USA was in need for a large momentum boost in order to oust Mexico as the primary leader in the CONCACAF region. Following the lost, one of the few options of success for the US National team was to bring in a new head coach who could take them to the finish line. Having these precedents meant an end to Bob Bradley’s time with the team. To his credit, he guided the team to a Confederation Cup final appearance by beating European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals.
Klinsmann was called upon to take control of the team, although he did have a slow start losing a few games and received large amounts of criticism from US fans and people around him. The criticism was overwhelming, but Klinsmann managed to incorporate a more European style of football to his team, he wanted to completely change the system from playing long balls to quick passing build ups. This was inevitable, coming from Germany.
The US performed extremely well under Klinsmann in the 2013 Gold Cup, they won the tournament and scored goals with ease. They posted the best offense of the tournament by scoring a 20 goals in 6 matches. Their defense allowed a mere 4 goals throughout the Tournament.
The addition of Chris Wondolowski helped by adding a “goal scoring machine”, the San Jose Earthquake striker is having a great season by scoring goals and assisting others. Landon Donovan, the US legend has been helping out greatly through goals and assists as well. His long absence from the National team has been questioned, many do not know why he left for so long but he is back and playing some of the best football of his international career.
After completing the group stage with style, they defeated El Salvador 5-1 in the quarterfinals. Donovan helped out with three assist and scored one goal. Eddie Johnson and Corona added the other goals for the US.
In the Semi-final, they defeated Honduras 3-1 at the Cowboys Stadium before facing and beating Panama 1-0 in the final.
Lineups:
USA: 1-Nick Rimando; 15-Michael Parkhurst, 21-Clarence Goodson, 25-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley (capt.); 14-Kyle Beckerman, 11-Stuart Holden (8-Mix Diskerud, 23); 20-Alejandro Bedoya (24-Omar Gonzalez, 89), 10-Landon Donovan, 6-Joe Corona (23-Brek Shea, 68); 26-Eddie Johnson
Subs Not Used: 2-Edgar Castillo, 4-Michael Orozco Fiscal, 12-Sean Johnson,13-Tony Beltran, 16-Jose Torres, 17-Will Bruin, 19-Chris Wondolowski, 22-Bill Hamid, 27-Alan Gordon
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
PAN: 1-Jaime Penedo; 2-Leonel Parris, 4-Carlos Rodriguez, 5-Roman Torres (capt.), 6-Gabriel Gomez (16-Rolando Blackburn, 74), 7-Blas Perez, 8-Marcos Sanchez, 9-Gabriel Torres (18-Jairo Jimenez, 65), 19-Alberto Quintero, 20-Anibal Godoy, 23-Roberto Chen
Subs Not Used: 3-Harold Cummings, 10-Eybir Bonagas, 11-Cecilio Waterman, 12-Luis Mejia, 13-Jean Carlos Cedeno, 14-Juan Perez, 15-Alex Rodriguez, 17-Roderick Miller, 21-Richard Dixon
Head Coach: Julio Valdez
Stats Summary: USA / PAN
Shots: 11 / 5
Shots on Goal: 2 / 1
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 19 / 16
Offside: 0 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Alejandro Bedoya (caution) 63rd minute
USA – Eddie Johnson (caution) 90
USA – Brek Shea (caution) 90+4
PAN – Jairo Jimenez (caution) 90+4
Officials:
Referee: Joel Aguilar (SLV)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Francisco Zumba (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo Morgan (JAM)
Fourth Official: Enrico Wijngaarde (SUR)
Par Gary Eliézer
Après les 22 Journées de la saison régulière où le Valencia s’est vu remporter le titre honorifique avec 38 points, le coup d’envoi des play-offs se fera ce week-end avec des matchs très intéressants tant dans le groupe des champions tant dans le groupe des maintiens, les passionnés du ballon rond seront retrouvés les stades et les parcs pour le spectacle.
Le groupe des champions qui regroupe les six (6) mieux classés en championnat national D1 à l’issue de la saison régulière, s’annonce terrible avec: le Valencia, le Baltimore, le Racing Club Haïtien, l’Aigle Noir, l’AS Petit Goave et l’AS Mirebalais qui vont tout tenter pour gagner le titre; de l’autre côté dans le groupe des maintiens qui regroupe les six (6) mal classés (Tempête, Victory, Fica, Cavaly, America, Don Bosco) ont comme enjeu de trouver les deux (2) billets donnant droit aux deux dernières places pour le super 8 à la fin de l’année et les équipes classées 11e, 12e seront reléguées directement en championnat national Emmanuel Sanon (D2) pour la saison 2014.
Tous les compteurs seront remis à zéro avant le coup d’envoi de ces play-offs, ce qui donne les mêmes chances à toutes les équipes. De nombreux changements ont été effectués dans les équipes: le Victory ne reçoit plus ses matchs au Parc Pinchinat mais au mini stadium de Cayes-Jacmel et a signé l’ex-entraîneur du Racing Club Haïtien, Pierre-André Dorvilus, Jean Renaud Abellard est en négociations avec América.
À noter, c’est le 4 août la D1 reprendra pour terminer le 6 octobre.
Le Calendrier complet de la 1ere Journée
Groupe des champions:
AS Petit Goave vs Valencia
AS.Mirebalais vs Aigle Noir
Racing Club Haïtien vs Baltimore
Groupe des maintiens:
Victory vs Tempête
America vs Don Bosco
Fica vs Cavaly.
Par Gary Eliézer
C’est bien connu, le Valencia représentera Haïti dans la Ligue des champions de la CONCACAF 2013-2014, du même coup il devient le premier club haïtien qui s’est qualifié pour une phase finale de cette compétition depuis la nouvelle règle établie en 2008.
Les joueurs de Frantz Décembre et de Navarro Rodriguez constituent l’espoir de toute la nation haïtienne si l’on tient compte de : nos U-17 qui ont été éliminés à la course de qualification de la phase finale de coupe du monde, l’équipe U-20 qui a loupé son billet qualificatif pour la phase finale de la coupe du monde Turquie 2013 et de la sélection nationale senior qui a raté totalement sa Gold Cup en éliminant au premier tour contre Salvador le 15 Juillet dernier. Elles ont raté l’année 2013, il n’y a et n’ y aura plus de sélection haïtienne engagée dans une compétition de grande envergure sur le plan internationale cette année, il ne reste que le Valencia qui pourrait donner un sourire aux fils de Dessalines.
Le Valencia disputera le 8 août prochain son premier match en Ligue des champions de la CONCACAF en accueillant au Stade Sylvio Cator Hérédiano du Costa Rica avant d’affronter Cruz Azul du Mexique le 28 du même mois toujours au Stade Sylvio Cator et après deux (2) déplacements en mois de septembre en vue de rencontrer ces mêmes équipes là avec unique ambition de rafler la première place pour se qualifier pour les quarts de finales de la plus grande compétition au niveau des clubs de l’Amérique du Nord, Centrale et Caraïbes, et peut-être même de tenter d’imiter les deux (2) anciens champions haïtiens dans cette épreuve à savoir: le Racing Club Haïtien (1963) et le Violette (1984).
En commençant par le ballon d’or 2012, Frandy Montrévil pour terminer avec les attaquants: Walson Augustin et André Amy, en passant par le meilleur joueur de la saison 2012 de la D1: Mackendy Duverger et en plus les milieux comme Amicy Esso Faudlyn et Geraldy Joseph, ils peuvent aller jusqu’au bout!
By Petzi Poyau
This 2013-2014 offseason has been filled with a lot of big news from free agent signings such as Mike Wallace and Wes Walker, to other news such as Hernandez being tried for murder. In an ever changing NFL no team can say they have had a worse offseason this year than the New England Patriots. With Wes Welker leaving to join Brady’s archrival Peyton Manning, Gronk’s back injuries which may leave him sidelined well into the season, and Hernandez being released from the team, there are certainly plenty of reasons to be concerned for the Patriots. With the Patriots being known for their high scoring offense many have wondered how will the Patriots weather this storm, especially with teams such as the 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos who seem as if they will only get stronger after their impressive showing last season.
As bleak as the situation may seem there is a glimmer of hope for Pats fan to hold on, aside from the future hall of fame quarterback Tom Brady. With the signing of both Arrington and Talib, and also McCourty’s permanent placement in the safety position alongside Adrian Wilson, this season may have the Pats setting the NFL world on fire with their defense. With the Patriots showing a remarkable change after Talib’s addition, keeping passing yards per game under 300 (about 57 yards less per game) and having 37 sacks for the year.
What makes this year the defense’s year to shine is that this is the first time in seven years where the defense has largely remained the same. This means coaching staff knows who they have and what they are capable of and can now focus on defensive schemes to stop some of the deep pass plays that Pat fans have become too accustomed to. Plus with Talib, Ros-I Dowling, (provided he stays healthy) and possibly Alfonzo Dennard pending legal action in the backfield the Patriots can now focus on the pass rush. With Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones showing great promise to rise to the occasion alongside with veteran Vince Wilfork, this year may show the Patriots blitzing more and being more aggressive on the line.
This improvement on defensive is greatly needed not only for Belichick’s legacy as a defensive coaching genius but it is also important to the Patriots quest to win another Superbowl for the Hall Of Fame Duo. We have seen Patriots fail to have post-season success when the offense stalls out and the defense simply cannot hold on. Plus with some other NFL teams becoming offensive juggernauts like the Broncos, Texas, and the threat of newcomers such as Andrew Luck, and Mike Wallace with the Dolphins the defense will have its work cut out for it.
Outside of the defense the Patriots offense also has room to shock people. Many have showed their concern for the Patriots having lost 4 out of the top 5 receivers the Patriots had last season. However, the Patriots offense is at best an unknown. With Ridley, Vereen, and Blount the Patriots have a rare opportunity to develop a run game to complement Brady. Considering this season the Patriots have plenty of new receivers to break in any help he can get is appreciated. With Danny Amendola who, when healthy, has shown he can not only make the receptions when they count but he can also make plays afterwards. Alongside Amendola will be many candidates but the likely ones are Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce, both who are NFL rookies and have yet to show what they are capable of. The Patriots have had a season with unknown receivers in 2006 and Tom Brady was able to take them to the AFC Championship. That is not to say that Brady will carry the team by himself to another AFC Championship this year, but with the improvement on the defensive side and a new offensive plan the Patriots will do what they do best, and win.
Stats provided by Pro-Football Reference
Kona Shen is the Founder and Director of Global Outreach And Love Of Soccer (GOALS), a non-profit organization based in Léogâne, Haiti. Her organization is improving the quality of life today and develops new leadership for tomorrow through youth soccer. Kona talked to testing.haititempo.com at great length about GOALS Haiti and herself in this interview.
- Hi Kona, let’s begin by telling us a little bit about yourself, your background and experiences?
Kona: I grew up in Seattle, WA and graduated from Brown University in 2010. As a teenager, I was passionate about addressing social inequality and making a difference in the world. In high school, I worked with organizations that addressed homelessness and began studying global poverty. In college, I began focusing on Haiti. I was, and still am, intrigued by the complexity of the country, its rich culture, and its multiple challenges.
After graduating, I founded GOALS. Our mission is to uses soccer to engage youth in community work and education to improve quality of life today and develop new leaders for tomorrow. Programs include local teams, health education, and scholarships. We’ve helped over 6,300 people to date.
-
What motivated you to start Goals Haiti?
Kona: I began volunteering in Haiti in 2007, when I visited Léogane for the first time. I taught English, played soccer, learned Creole, and made friends. I always wanted to give back to the Léogane community, and this is exactly where GOALS began working in 2010.
In March 2010, I returned to Léogane, Haiti for a post-earthquake relief trip. During my trip, I saw something incredible: a group of boys had used rubble to create goalposts and were playing soccer in the street. They were survivors, surrounded by destruction, sleeping under tarps, and mourning their losses. But in the moment, none of that mattered. They were completely absorbed in the game, shouting, laughing and cheering. Their joy, and a temporary sense of normalcy, was palpable. I realized that soccer had the potential to bring people together to create simple solutions with big results.
-
What were/are the challenges you face in running the Organization, and how do you meet them?
Kona: We deliberately seek out challenging environments, because that is where we can usually do the most good and help the most people. We push our participants, our staff, and the communities where we work to drive projects forward through their participation in meetings, votes, and volunteer service. This can be really challenging, because it is completely opposite from how many aid agencies work, and it does not allow for “aid dependency” or traditional charity practices. I’ve found that with time, people understand this approach and often appreciate that it is about empowering and enabling people to make change, rather than giving a handout and never coming bac
-
From your perspective, why is it that Non-Profit Organizations have not done much in Haiti?
Kona: Again, this idea of “aid dependency” can be a big barrier to achieving results. Unlike the traditional approach of large agencies, we never wanted to assume that we know more than the community we’re trying to help. It seems that a lot of the problems facing non-profits in Haiti come from an unwillingness to advance long term, sustainable change by engaging community members and listening to what they have to say. We try to avoid those pitfalls by relying on community buy-in, local leadership, and volunteer service to create change.
Kona Shen: Founder and Director of GOALS Haiti
-
What is GOALS Haiti relationship with other non-profits, the government and other sports entities?
Kona: While engaging communities makes our ongoing projects possible, formal partnerships enable us to increase our impact. Joint projects have included: building emergency shelters with Samaritan’s Purse; distributing water filtration systems with Waves4Water; promoting peace with United Nations peacekeeping forces; and improving public health through tournaments with UNICEF.
Through medical partnerships, we continue to serve rural populations with mobile clinics that have provided deworming to prevent disease and malnutrition; pre-natal education and specialized women’s clinics; vitamins and medication; and hypertension and diabetes screenings.
In the US, high-level partnerships have included: broadcasts of promotional GOALS videos on FOX Soccer; a large donation of Team USA equipment from USWNT goalkeeper, Hope Solo; and autographed memorabilia and VIP on-court experience donated by the New York Knicks.
-
Can you tell us about some of your proudest accomplishments with GOALS Haiti?
Kona: I’m very proud of our impact, and of the quality of our programs. Children who began the program in 2010 have been transformed. Even if they’ve never been inside a classroom, they understand how to prevent diseases, plan projects, and create change in their communities. Currently, GOALS’ daily soccer, service and education programs reach over 600 boys and girls, ages 7-18, each month at four different sites. We have directly impacted over 6,300 people to date. 27 of our participants receive full high school scholarships.
I’m also excited by our emphasis on gender equality. By requiring communities to support boys and girls teams equally, GOALS is one of the most gender equitable sport-for-development projects worldwide. In our first two years, GOALS established itself as a global leader in the field and was awarded the “Best New Project” honor by Beyond Sport, presented by Tony Blair in London.
-
Were you involved in Soccer before founding GOALS Haiti? Any other sports?
Kona: I’ve always played sports, though I was never an elite soccer player. When I began to create GOALS, I really thought about how these teams influenced me growing up. For me, it was less about the technical skills than it was about the camaraderie, discipline, and hard work that formed a strong team.
-
What is your typical day like?
Kona: At our sites, programs engage children in soccer, service and education activities every day, followed by a snack or meal. Throughout the month, there are parent meetings, local development projects, public events, mobile clinics, and other special initiatives. We promote health, education, leadership and gender equality, but it’s all tied to soccer.
My responsibilities vary, but they include overseeing staff, coordinating programs, fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities, working with volunteers, reporting to the Board of Directors, donor management and partnership development.
-
How can one get involved with GOALS Haiti?
Kona: There are many opportunities to join “Team GOALS,” from volunteering or organizing equipment drives to making a donation or becoming a volunteer. Please visit our website, www.goalshaiti.org, for more information under the section, “How to Help.”
-
What are your hopes for GOALS Haiti in the longer term?
Kona: Long-term, my objective is to bring GOALS’ after-school programs, summer camps, scholarships, and community development projects to the two million children who live in rural Haiti where no government, non-profit, or private services exist for youth or families.
-
What advice would you have for young people who want to start their own project?
Kona: Make sure you have a clear idea about what need you are trying to address, what it will take to tackle the issue, and how your organization is unique. It may be unique because it’s focused on community organizations, or girls, or a specific illness. There are many existing non-profits in the world, and rather than duplicating efforts, I always think it’s a good idea to try and ensure that you can support current successful projects or have a strong reason to create a new initiative.
-
Any final comments?
Kona: I’m grateful for the chance to tell you about GOALS, and appreciate the interest in supporting our mission! I would add that GOALS is a special organizations for many reasons, including the ones detailed above, but one of the best parts of our program is that we hire locally – 15 of 16 staff members are Haitian – and we are committed to long term, multigenerational change that will go far beyond disaster relief. The communities where we work are incredible, as our are participants and their family members, and we’re looking forward to accomplishing even more together in the upcoming year ahead.
Key links:
-
Home page: http://goalshaiti.org/
-
About us: http://goalshaiti.org/about/
-
Background – “Our Story”: http://goalshaiti.org/our-story/
-
Annual Reports: http://goalshaiti.org/new-annual-reports/
-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goalshaiti
-
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goalshaiti
-
Most recent informational video (5:02): http://vimeo.com/fredricking/goalshaiti
-
First informational video (3:55): http://vimeo.com/29157257
—
Thank you very much Kona for talking the time to answer our questions.
Benson Petit-Clair for Haititempo.com – July/2013
[/col_1_2]
[col_1_2]
Popular Posts
[/col_1_2]
[/row]
[divider]
Other Shortcodes
[row]
[col_1_2]
[newsletter]
Search widget:
[search]
[/col_1_2]
[col_1_2]
[autentificate]
[/col_1_2]
[/row]
[divider_dots_full]