Unity Pitch: Football for Everyone

In the city of Napier, over the past few days, there has been a Unity Pitch tournament taking place in a park right next to the blue sea, an official sideline activity following the Women's World Cup event for boys and girls football teams aged 4 to 9 from all over New Zealand. FIFA and the local organizing committee organize the Unity Pitch tournament to help people who are less fortunate or disadvantaged (blind, disabled, physically challenged...) integrate into the community.

New Zealand kids compete in Unity Pitch in response to Women's World Cup

What was impressive was that coach Jitka Klimkova and the New Zealand women's team, wearing black uniform jackets with traditional white ferns, also came to interact at this event with many male and female "young players" who are local students. The children were very happy to meet stars such as Victoria Esson, Ria Percival, Jacqui Hand, CJ Bott... I was also lucky to take a selfie with these friendly stars and wished them a victory in the opening match against Norway on July 20.

I learned that 300 children participated in the sharing matches at the Unity Pitch program. Seeing them talk and laugh innocently, happily playing for the ball on the field full of friendship, everyone in the audience felt warm. I think this is a meaningful program, contributing to helping many children in New Zealand love football more and also cheering for the upcoming Women's World Cup more enthusiastically.

Article and photos: Alisa Pham (from New Zealand)

Source: https://nld.com.vn/the-thao/unity-pitch-bong-da-cho-moi-nguoi-20230712214542774.htm