Soccer for Education and Cultural Exchange

David Carr, Sheri Huckleberry and Gerard Akindes from Ohio University travelled to South Africa with Mike Raskys from Play Soccer, US to launch the Soccer for Education and Cultural Exchange program. Below Play Soccer volunteer coaches improvised a choir to welcome, Judy McPherson the CEO of Play Soccer and the team visiting them from the US.

Play Soccer volunteer coaches welcome their guests from Ohio University and Play Soccer USA in Alexandra with singing and dancing.


Thoughts of the trip to South Africa

By David Carr


After arriving in Johannesburg after a long flight from the US, we collected our 12 bags of clothes, t- shirts, and electronic gear and headed for the Parktonian Hotel in downtown Joburg. We caught up with Judy McPherson of Play Soccer and mapped out or first trip to Weiler's Farm and the beginning of our two week stay in South Africa. We were greeted by 40 young coaches/instructors at a local elementary school about 40 km outside of Joburg. The initial session focussed on teaching the youngest children. The Play Soccer program is already established at Weiler's Farm but the young coaches/instructors of the Play Soccer curriculum had not had much preparation into the physical, cognitive and psychosocial development of the youngest participants. This is where we began. >>more



South Africa Play Soccer Volunteers Coaches with OU Team
Ohio Team with Play Soccer youth coaches in South Africa

Our Partner, Play Soccer

Play Soccer Non Profit International

Our Team

Andrew Kreutzer

David Carr

Gerard Akindes

Sheri Huckleberry

Judy McPherson

Mike Raskys