Opening Doors Through Soccer: The Story and Impact of Global Goals Soccer Camp 2025

Soccer can open doors to confidence, belonging, and opportunity. At Congregation of Black Naturalists (CBN), we believe every young person deserves the chance to discover their potential—on the field and beyond it.

A Personal Experience That Became a Purpose

When Michael Arthur, Founder of CBN, immigrated to the United States from Ghana at age 14, he struggled to find his place in a new country. He had few friends, was adapting to a different culture, and lacked the soccer skills and gear needed to make his school team. At tryouts, he had no soccer cleats to wear.

Rather than give up, Michael asked the coach if he could stay involved as a team manager and water boy so he could learn.

His connection to Starfinder Foundation, a soccer program for social change, changed his path. Experienced coaches helped him develop as a player, but Starfinder also provided academic support, friendships, leadership opportunities, college exposure, and a pathway into coaching. Through a college showcase, Michael earned a full soccer scholarship to Rosemont College.

Michael Arthur 2015 at Starfinder Foundation

What stayed with him was not just what he learned about soccer, but what happened when adults invested in him as a whole person. That experience shaped his commitment to creating similar opportunities for young people. After helping establish Village of Champions, a free soccer program for underserved communities in Philadelphia, Michael continued this work in Oregon through his involvement with All Nations Oregon Futbol Club and his leadership at CBN.

In 2025, CBN's Global Goals Soccer Camp brought that vision to life: using soccer to develop skills, build confidence, and help young people recognize their potential.

What the Camp Made Possible

Supported by the Nike Community Impact Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, CBN, Willamette Health Council, and community partners, the free five-week technical training camp served 64 youth, primarily from refugee and immigrant communities. Participants represented 23 countries and spoke 18 languages.

The camp combined technical soccer training with leadership development, growth mindset, mental health education, and practical lessons in health and wellness.

Better Coaching, More Opportunities to Improve

One of the most significant contributions of grant funding was the ability to hire experienced technical coaches and assistant coaches.

For years, much of the work depended on volunteers who coached, coordinated activities, managed logistics, and helped young people access opportunities. Their dedication made the program possible, but the workload was substantial. Funding allowed CBN to strengthen the quality of training while sharing responsibilities more sustainably.

The grant also helped CBN purchase agility equipment, small goals for target practice, and enough soccer balls for every youth to have one during training. Young athletes could spend more time practicing, repeating skills, and receiving guidance from experienced coaches.

Soccer balls for every youth.

Among surveyed participants, 100% reported improved soccer skills and said their coaches helped them become better players. Participants also reported increased confidence, and average skill assessments improved by approximately two levels on a five-point scale.

Removing Barriers to Play

Access to soccer requires more than a place to play. During camp, coaches saw children without soccer cleats and others wearing shoes that hurt their feet. Some were visibly limping because their footwear did not fit properly.

Through the Global Goals Soccer Camp, CBN provided Nike soccer cleats to 18 of the 28 youth identified as needing them, meeting approximately 64% of the identified need. Shin guards were provided to all 25 youth identified as needing them.

The camp also established a hydration station with water and Gatorade for high-intensity activities. Some participants had previously arrived without water, and youth shared how much they appreciated having drinks available and how it improved their playing experience.

These practical supports mattered. Proper footwear, protective equipment, and hydration helped address barriers that can affect a young person's ability to participate comfortably and safely. Although not every equipment need was met, the camp made meaningful progress.

Developing the Whole Athlete

CBN's approach extends beyond soccer skills. With significant support from Willamette Health Council, the camp included health and wellness education on injury prevention, stretching, nutrition, hydration, sleep, recovery, mental health, and substance-use prevention.

Health educators from Salem Health helped young athletes learn how to care for their bodies, recognize potential injuries, and access health resources. Additional sessions addressed mental health awareness, including challenges that can affect young people navigating significant life transitions.

Michael also led goal-setting and growth-mindset sessions under the camp's theme, Greatness. Participants practiced setting personal goals, responding to setbacks, and viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn. They also took turns leading stretches, drills, and group activities, putting leadership and responsibility into practice.

The message was simple: greatness is not just about winning. It is also about effort, resilience, teamwork, and continuing to grow.

The Impact of Investment—and What Comes Next

The Global Goals Soccer Camp demonstrated what becomes possible when funding, experienced coaches, volunteers, and community partners work together. Investment helped CBN expand training resources, address identified safety-gear needs, provide health education, and support the people delivering the program.

But one camp cannot meet every need, and sustained opportunities require sustained resources.

CBN hopes to continue offering the camp and strengthen its youth programming through reliable transportation, continued funding for experienced coaches, safety-gear assistance, and a dependable home field where young people can train consistently.

These investments would help more youth participate, allow coaches to provide quality instruction, and reduce the pressure on volunteers who have carried so much of the work. Commitment remains at the heart of the program, but it cannot replace the resources needed to sustain it.

Michael's own journey showed him how one opportunity can change a young person's direction. The Global Goals Soccer Camp reflects that same belief: when young people have access to quality coaching, the right equipment, supportive relationships, and opportunities to lead, they have more room to discover what they can achieve.

CBN is working to make those opportunities more accessible, regardless of a family's financial circumstances.

We invite funders, community partners, and supporters to connect with CBN and help build on this work. Together, we can open more doors for young people—on the soccer field and beyond it.