What is THE WORLD SOCCER PROJECT (WSP)?

WSP is an international soccer association that is developing and running amateur soccer leagues for adult players around the world.

What is WSP's purpose?

WSP has two major, related objectives: (1) to offer a top-notch, enjoyable, safe, and reasonably priced soccer experience to adult players in major cities around the world, and (2) to support programs that improve educational opportunities for marginalized children in each of those cities.

Please see The Cause and Partners for information about the charities and organizations WSP is partnering with to achieve these two goals.

How and why was WSP formed (and by whom)?

WSP formed in New York City in early 2009 out of the educational, employment and international sporting experiences of its founder & president, John G. Pinel.

John has worked as the director of several government departments in some of the most isolated and marginalized communities in North America, including as a school principal in Canadian aboriginal schools. His PhD research at the London School of Economics & Political Science concerned economic and policy issues impeding Afro-Caribbean groups' access to education and employment in Central America. Accordingly, he has studied and worked for 17 years in fields that relate to WSP's chief concern: how to improve educational opportunities in under-served communities.

John also has significant experience in sport, having represented Canada 6 times in rugby and having played high level amateur soccer as a goalkeeper in several countries. However, he has generally found adult soccer leagues to be the least well organized and also more expensive than most other sports' leagues. Given that soccer is the world's most popular sport, and given the fees charged, it seemed to him that something was amiss - that little was being done to 'professionalize' amateur soccer or to maximize soccer's potential to benefit under-served communities.

Accordingly, in early 2009, John decided to use the world's most popular game to help improve educational opportunities for children in need - through an international association of highly organized, reasonably priced soccer leagues and via key partnerships with the major international organizations and NGOs he has worked with over the last 17 years.

Who else is involved?

Several others around the world have acted and continue to act as key advisors and volunteer workers, assisting with such activities as: forming key partnerships; obtaining sponsorships; securing fields in several cities; and developing cutting-edge league-management software. Management positions in various locations are expected to be created in the very near future.

What's on the immediate horizon?

WSP's inagural league begins this August 11th in NEW YORK CITY. We'll soon be launching leagues outisde of NEW YORK CITY as well as expanding within NYC this summer and fall.

What can you do to help?

For starters, you can simply sign up to the WSP newsletter to receive the latest information about when and where leagues will begin. Then, you can register to play. You'll not only help others by playing in our leagues, but you'll get the best and least expensive recreational soccer experience in all of NEW YORK CITY!

You can also contact us about volunteering or about making direct donations to our partners. Moreover, suggestions are always welcome. If you think we can do something better, we want to hear it - as we are a 'player's organization' (see our bylaws and policies for how we are stuctured to be such an organization).