WSA AFRICA, THE MISSION, THE STORY, THE VISION

THE MISSION

WSA Africa's mission is not unlike our club's Mission since our founding in 1992. Bring the game to areas of need. Serve those we can reach through the game. Create relationship to each other through the game. Build the community you want to belong to.

WSA Africa will share our resources in the U.S. which are plentiful, with our brothers and sisters in Africa. WSA will formalize a WSA Community Club, WSA Africa. This Community Club will serve the player via the WSA Way. The same Core Values, Principals, and Mission which have helped WSA become the club it is today, will be planted, nurtured, with a great Hope for a future harvest and great Joy in the doing.

THE STORY

In 2020 Coach Emerson Griffith visited South Africa. He ran a clinic via some WSA resources, and our current connections to players in South Africa. We expected a handful of players to "hopefully" turn out. Over 100 players pre-registered. The hunger, drive, and desire for the game was obvious.

Coach Emerson has returned multiple times to Africa since 2020. Each time deepening the connection, expanding the reach, and growing the excitement. Connections have been made in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Chad. Further nations are on the horizon of engagement.

Players have begun to register officially, and we are finding ways to formalize insurance coverage. A formalized agreement for field usage is pending with the City Council in Harare, the headquarters of WSA-Zimbabwe. The field is dirt. The players love it.

A U15 boys team was formed, and competed in the Spring of 2023 in a 20-team event, finishing in the top-6.

WSA sent over training tops, soccer balls, awards, and other equipment from our surplus in Tulsa, America. The players treat the used or sometimes outdated equipment as treasured gifts, with "an abundance of grattitude" according to Coach Emerson.

In the Fall of 2023, WSA Cup-Zimbabwe hosted 13 teams from within and around the region of Harare Zimbabwe. A champion and runnerup team were crowned. A referee, coach, and several players were recognized. The "final" was played by car headlights.

WSA CUP 2023 CHAMPIONS. "Final" played, October of 2023. You can see the headlights in the background.

THE VISION

The build of WSA Africa will be grassroots. This is perfect. WSA excels in grassroots building.

Players wil be in a formalized setting. Soccer will become part of the player's routine. A team to belong to. A sense of pride in belonging to a bigger club, abroad, with remote connections to club-mates, connected by a name and uniform at first, inside of an intimate club setting. With a culture, formed by values, driving a deeper connection next.

WSA is attempting to find small laptops or lapbooks (chromebooks) to help engage the players in an English study. The players are articulate in writing, but need help in speaking English. Being able to speak English, and understand English, Coach Emerson points out, "Can create a generational change in outcomes. We can do this through our soccer programming. We have the opportunity to make a huge difference."

And then, by 2026, WSA-Africa will have teams who will be ready to travel to the U.S. to play in WSA-hosted events. WSA is hopeful these events will be hosted at the currently designed Field of Dreams facility. It will be a year in which the U.S. will be preparing for, in the midst of, or has just hosted the World Cup. The intersection of timing for this vision is Divine.

THE FUNDING GOAL

The program, supporting 200 players, will require $100 per player, or $20,000/annual. We are attempting to find funding on a recurring basis, that is "dedicated" revenue stream to allow the WSA Africa Directors to operate with forethought, foresight, and planning. We are asking prospective donors to consider giving on a recurring basis, to help us create a perpetual fund.

UNIFORM SECOND LIFE PROGRAM, Opportunity to Give-Back

WSA Soccer has created a Uniform Second Life Program, and the response has been amazing. The goal is to outfit every WSA-Africa team in WSA official uniforms via the Second Life program. A sense of belonging begins with caring, and is enhanced by the sense of belonging and unity that a uniform provides.

DONATE USED EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS - UNIFORM SECOND LIFE PROGRAM

The club is accepting donations of uniforms and equipment. What is needed:

1. Soccer Shoes - worn, gently used, or new
2. Shinguards - worn, gently used, or new
3. WSA Old Uniforms - worn, jerseys, socks, shorts, training tops
4. Soccer Balls - prefer gently used or new
5. Trophies - team cups or team plaques
6. Soccer Training Equipment - cones, bibs, training poles

Drop-Off: At West Bank Sports Complex, 3601 S Elwood Ave, Tulsa, OK 74137, Ken Lovelee Clubhouse during regular training nights (or send with a teammate).

Ship To: WSA Soccer, C/O WSA Africa, 5214 Greenan Drive, Sand Springs, OK 74063

If you plan TO DO SOMETHING please consider making a Commitment Here.

A RECENT GAME & THE PLAYERS WHO ARE PART OF NEW WSA-Africa TEAMS

THE FIRST ANNUAL WSA CUP-AFRICA, OCTOBER 2023

ABOUT WSA SOCCER

WSA Soccer, founded in 1992, is a 501C3 Non Profit, public charity. The organization has been purposed by vision and mission. For 3 decades the organization has become competent in fulfilling a vision.

Provide and bring access to the sport of soccer, at a premiere and first class level, to youth players of all backgrounds, bridging known deterrents of finances, language, culture, and geography.

Purpose teaching through a developmental model that encourages failure towards success, rewards ambitions, fosters service to others, and requires perseverance.

Cultivate and attract coaches who teach to inspire youth, coach to develop youth, and lead to serve youth.

WSA AFRICA

By West Side Alliance Soccer

WSA AFRICA

Transformative Outreach