Soccer Babies Blueprint

Following the pre-launch research phase, the team set about establishing a ‘blueprint’ operating model for improving the lives of the local communities the organisation operates in. The three top development priorities following the UN MDG framework that the team identified had the greatest potential to be improved through the vision of the organisation were: education; health; and local community development.

However, it was agreed that where a community had a greater need in another development area, then ‘long-term thinking’ should be applied in order to seek solutions in that area.

Soccer Babies unique operating model can be summarised at a high-level as follows:

1. Identify aspiring youth sports and football clubs in poorer communities, in particular where other forms of support mechanisms are lacking and community progress is poor

2. Consult widely in order to identify the local community’s needs (local government, NGOs, local professionals, teachers, the Chief, sports club officials, and other members of the local community)

3. Formulate a 3-5 year agreement with the youth sports club, subject to its existing development level that aims to achieve financial sustainability for the club in that timeframe with sponsorship from the organisation decreasing over time, in conjunction with specifically measureable goals that make significant progress in the community’s top three development requirement areas

4. Provide sponsorship, equipment, support, and guidance, in order to assist the club in benefiting everyone in the local community that it serves through the achievement of key development goals

5. Measure progress and regularly report back to sponsors and stakeholders, on the progress made with each club in achieving their stated 5 year plan goals