Meet our friends: PARK Social Soccer Co.
16th August 2019
In my previous life running ToyDrop as a shop, I’d get hundreds of sales pitches a week (maybe an exaggeration) from brands who were launching new toys. As an obvious lover of such things, I heard them out, but they were generally pretty similar to what I sold already, or their ethics didn’t quite stack up. So when Sam Davy, the founder of PARK Social Soccer Co. got in touch back in 2017, I knew this was different.
Sam didn’t describe PARK as a football brand or a sports brand, but a “socially conscious lifestyle brand, designing and making iconic footballs inspired by art, fashion and street culture.” Now that’s a first.
He went on to talk about their Pass-A-Ball Project, which is the initiative behind every sale. Much like the way TOMs operates, for every ball purchased, another will be donated to a kid in need, teaching our privileged babes about the imbalance of opportunities in the world.
PARK believes that soccer can change the world. It believes it has the power to unite diverse cultures and create hope and opportunity for the world’s most marginalised. It also stands with the United Nations believing every kid deserves the right to play this beautiful game.
It fires up my heart to hear brands taking play so seriously. It’s an absolutely fundamental part of life and the ripple effect just one ball can have on a village is profound. Not only does it teach kids resilience, teamwork and dexterity but it brings communities together, connecting its kids to billions of other players.
PARK doesn’t just stop with the one-for-one initiative either. It recently announced its ‘Kids Get Half’ project, which will now donate 50% of all apparel profits to supporting disadvantaged kids and youth around the world.
To date, PARK has passed over 8,000 balls, to kids in 25 countries. Its balls are sold in design stores and museums around the world, and are available in the UK online at A Circle Back and Olive Loves Alfie.
You can also speak to your kid’s team/five aside about making PARK their new ball supplier by visiting Park Social Soccer Co.
Words by Anna Whitaker
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