Members of our MAN v FAT Long Island City league in New York will be representing the program when they take part in a special tournament this weekend (July 26th).
The guys will be taking to the field to participate in a tournament to raise funds for the Soccer Without Borders scheme. The “Small Goals Big Change” tournament is a 5v5 competition designed to raise funds and awareness for the charity’s programs.
These programs provide free, year-round access to soccer, education, and community-building activities for underserved youth. The event is a chance to connect through the game while supporting meaningful change in the community.
MAN v FAT Long Island City is now at the end of its first season, where the men involved have lost an incredible 485lbs between them.
Their squad for the event this weekend pulls in members from across the six teams participating in the league and Ulises Cartagena, who plays for the Golden Gorditos, explained more about what’s happened so far.
1) Tell us a bit more about why you decided to get a team together for this tournament?
“I love futbol, we all do, and we know the power it has to connect people. I work in the social impact sector and really enjoy bringing people together for a collective good. Each of us has a personal connection to this beautiful game, and we all agree that sport for good plays a vital role in helping youth stay active, engaged, and feel a sense of belonging. This tournament is the perfect opportunity to pay it forward and offer that same experience to kids in our community, just like we once had.”
Every club in the league is represented by at least one player from LIC on this team. We all come from different backgrounds and communities, which makes this even more special. It’ll be great to play alongside players who are usually our rivals week to week.
The league has really become a fusion of community and support. That spirit came naturally, honestly, from the very first week. The group radiates positivity and encouragement both on and off the pitch. We support each other’s personal goals, spend time together outside the games, and have built a true brotherhood. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and be part of.
4) Will you guys be looking for other community fundraising events to get together and participate in in the future?
Definitely. A lot of the guys share the same love for community and enthusiasm for giving back. These events give us a great reason to stay active, strengthen our bonds, and do something meaningful for the community together. And if you’re reading this, we’d love your support in helping us make an impact.
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You can follow their progress here – go get the win guys!
