Bentley 9th Grader Collects Soccer Gear to Spread Love for The Beautiful Game
Bentley 9th grader Mitchell was born in South Africa and returns often to visit his mom’s family, who still live near the Balule Nature Reserve in the northeastern part of the country. Mitchell, his friend Winston, and his family are now partnering with the Balule Outreach Trust on Boots 4 Balule, an initiative they started to collect gently used soccer gear, including cleats, shin guards, and jerseys, to share with children in this rural area who love the Beautiful Game but don’t have access to many of these items. Mitchell will pass out the gear to local kids when he returns to South Africa with his family over Winter Break. He says his love of soccer and the people of South Africa inspired him to start the drive: “Soccer can bring together the community and is a way to escape from the stresses of life. For me, going to play soccer lets my mind be free and makes me happy.” Together with Winston and the Balule Outreach Trust, Mitchell is hoping to spread this joy to others. If you have cleats or other gear you can donate, please bring them to the Lafayette campus and drop them off in the red bins outside the Bentley Upper School Commons.
Bentley 9th grader Mitchell was born in South Africa and returns often to visit his mom’s family, who still live near the Balule Nature Reserve in the northeastern part of the country. Mitchell, his friend Winston, and his family are now partnering with the Balule Outreach Trust on Boots 4 Balule, an initiative they started to collect gently used soccer gear, including cleats, shin guards, and jerseys, to share with children in this rural area who love the Beautiful Game but don’t have access to many of these items. Mitchell will pass out the gear to local kids when he returns to South Africa with his family over Winter Break. He says his love of soccer and the people of South Africa inspired him to start the drive: “Soccer can bring together the community and is a way to escape from the stresses of life. For me, going to play soccer lets my mind be free and makes me happy.” Together with Winston and the Balule Outreach Trust, Mitchell is hoping to spread this joy to others. If you have cleats or other gear you can donate, please bring them to the Lafayette campus and drop them off in the red bins outside the Bentley Upper School Commons.
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