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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini soccer program is gearing up for a unique experience following the school year. The Illini will partner with the Soccer Without Borders organization to set out on a 10-day service trip to Nicaragua, May 18-28. The Illini will work with young girls, ages 7-20, hosting camps and clinics throughout the country. Additionally, the Orange and Blue will have an opportunity to train alongside and compete against the Nicaragua Women's National Team.

"There are really two objectives while we are there," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "One is to work with the Soccer Without Borders (SWB) program that they have established in Granada. It's a program for girls only, and they have created a safe space for girls. Our first stop is to go to that program and be immersed in the lives of girls in Granada. The players will home stay, we'll work with the schools and we'll do some clinics with SWB there. Then, the other objective is to help assist and compete against the Nicaragua Women's National Team. It's a program that is really trying to establish itself in Central America. They're hosting the Central America Games later this year and they don't really have the resources to train to compete against high quality competition. Training with them and competing against them and raising awareness about their program is really another objective of this trip. The trip is a blend of a couple different things, but I think the experiences will work out well for all of us."

The UI squad has been preparing for the service trip by collecting gear and supplies to donate to the girls in the program. The team, in addition to Coach Rayfield, will put on several clinics and camps throughout the country, spending time nurturing girls' soccer skills and helping them develop as players and as individuals. The Illini players serve as role models to the young girls who are a part of the SWB program and will look to provide motivation and inspiration, while allowing the girls to see a bright future for themselves.

"With the NCAA allowing international travel once every four years, we thought about how we wanted to use that opportunity," Rayfield explained. "I think there are a lot of soccer trips that are just that, a soccer trip; you can travel to European countries with opportunities to see professional teams. I, however, felt like our greatest asset is our student-athletes and their ability to empower other young women. So, as a team, we talked about doing a service trip. We looked at several opportunities, but a committee of our players chose this as the trip they wanted to take."

The Illini begin their travels on Thursday, May 18, returning on May 28. The squad will visit several cities in Nicaragua including Managua, Diriamba and Granada. Those interested in keeping up with the Illini in Nicaragua can follow along with Illini Soccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and check in to FightingIllini.com

"Our players come from a very privileged soccer environment where they've had access to coaches, facilities and resources. This trip will expose them to areas where girls in sport are not as accepted as it has been in this country since they've been young; these girls in Nicaragua aren't always applauded for playing the sport, they can be ridiculed and it's not always an accepted thing.  We will experience that and see other areas and other young women who don't necessarily have the access to things that we have here. I think it will help us to appreciate the what we have and what we've been given as well as the opportunity that we all have. I think it will be a great eye-opening experience for everyone to understand just how lucky we are to have the resources that we have and the ability be able to pursue our academic and athletic dreams."

Illini fans wishing to donate to the service trip should click here. 

ABOUT SOCCER WITHOUT BORDERS

Soccer Without Borders originated in 2006 with the purpose of addressing three critical issues: a lack of safe spaces where young people feel cared for, a lack of opportunity for youth to actively explore social issues and community challenges and s lack of social capital and access to potential opportunities for education, employment and personal growth. While there are many positive sport experiences, soccer is the most universally accessible; at its most basic level it offers playing opportunities that are low-cost, physically beneficial, inclusive and enjoyable. Soccer also enjoys worldwide popularity, making it the perfect platform from which to develop physically, socially, and individually. Soccer Without Borders believes that the potential of soccer to make change is deeper than simply playing the game. Rather, the organization's programs are built around the philosophy that soccer's interpersonal environment has unique potential to meaningfully impact participants. Within that environment, youth are exposed to the benefits of soccer and team sports for their bodies, voices, and minds, and supported in the application of these benefits to their everyday lives and future goals. Read More