DOM Swinton remembers playing soccer at school in Kenya against rivals running around with one boot.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sometimes a rival would have two boots, but usually not a matching pair, and rarely did they have shin pads.
But the locals would always dominate against his school.
“They were just so athletic. You find they just have that passion and love for the game,” Mr Swinton said.
“Playing with full uniform and equipment is something we mostly take for granted.”
Other kids are playing with one boot and smiles on their faces – they don’t know anything different.
Mr Swinton is teaming with fellow former Ballarat City FC teammates Alex Antonelli and David and Charles King for Play it Forward. The appeal calls for people across the region to donate pre-loved soccer gear to directly help educate children in Tanzania where the King brothers, who are half-Tanzanian, and Antonelli are based.
The King brothers operate safari and lodge business Eastco, which helps build classrooms in the Tarangire region. Schools in this region have some of the lowest education rates.
With soccer such an important part of Tanzanian culture in Tanzania they hope extra gear and equipment will give children incentive to go to school more.
“I know how it is over there. David and Charlie know how it is,” Mr Swinton said. “We also want to distribute to where we know there is someone to take care of it at the other end. It makes things a lot easier.”
The appeal is specifically for soccer uniforms and boots (AFL football boots are also accepted), shin pads, goal keeping gloves and soccer balls.
Donations are asked to be of reasonable playing quality and in clean condition, particularly boots, to help out the Play it Forward team.
Ballarat City FC partnerships director Stacey Thomas asked families to consider donating to the appeal as children got new gear for Christmas or leading into the new year.
The club is collecting donations at its Morshead Park base. People can also donate at Rebel Sport, SportsPower Wendouree, Anytime Fitness (after New Year) and Kelly Sports (via Eastwood Leisure Centre).
Mr Swinton and Ms Thomas said Play it Forward had the potential to expand into working with under-privileged children in Ballarat and places like Kenya.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.