Help The Biggest Little Football Club in the World!
This is a grassroots campaign to give youth in war-torn northern Uganda a chance. Join ‘United for United’, the supporters club of Gulu United.
A $50 gift gets you the coolest, most obscure footy scarf on the planet!
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The Gulu United Football Club once competed at the country’s highest level and was a beacon of hope for the region. However, with the war’s lasting impact and northern Uganda still rebuilding, local business and community priorities changed and they could no longer sustain the club.
Northern Uganda, and Gulu United, has been decimated by over 20 years of civil war -- but through it all, there has been football.
Even at the height of insecurity, crowds huddled in makeshift tented theatres to catch just a glimpse of premier league action, and during my trips to the region (as the founder of GuluWalk) I would stumble upon kids playing footy in every village, be it with a ball battered beyond recognition or one cobbled together with bits of plastic bag and twine.
Gulu United and a group of tireless volunteers are determined to create a fresh start for the club, through youth, and leave a legacy for the next generation.
![YOUR SUPPORT & UNITED FOR UNITED]()
That’s where we come in. Make no mistake about it, we are asking for your help.
Even with all of the local hurdles, this is still not a call for charity. It is also not an ownership scheme. This is their club, but we can -- in a small way -- be the spark that starts a raging fire.
Just like you do for your local club or your favourite professional team, we’re simply asking you to be a ‘supporter’. With your contribuiton you are joining ‘United for United: The supporters club of Gulu United. The biggest little football club in the world.’
Any gift makes a difference, but why not (at a minimum) put up $50 and get the supporters scarf. The coolest, most obscure footy scarf on the planet.
We’re a collection of footy fans, pundits and players (pro, amateur and recreational) who are setting our club interests aside to support a youth academy and the rebirth of Gulu United.
This is not a campaign for everyone, but if you’ve gotten this far -- it’s for you.
![WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING]()
If you’re a fan of the beautiful game, you've seen how it impacts youth, builds confidence, character, leadership and provides an environment for our boys to become great men.
The money we raise will go directly towards running the regions first-ever youth identification and training camp -- and we need your help.
Over the summer, a group of volunteer coaches will travel all over northern Uganda (a region of over 6-million people) to identify the most promising youth players (aged 12-16), with the goal of bringing them all together in September for two weeks of training and a first step towards developing the regions first youth football academy.
This is not a call for bricks and mortar. The funds will cover all travel, housing and feeding for the players and volunteer coaches, as well as providing equipment and gear for all of the boys. Hitting that $15,000 fundraising goal truly is our minimum to make this first step a reality.
We want this to be a very special two weeks for the boys, and the foundation for realizing a dream.
Now, we also have some stetch goals!
If we raise $20,000 the club will be able to set up some local friendlies for the boys and begin planning for their second camp, in December/January.
And, if we hit $25,000+ (our ultimate goal), that will allow Gulu United to hire their first-ever Academy Director, which can really accelerate their development and the opportunities for their footy youth.
![THE SCARF & REWARDS]()
For your support, we’re offering up the planet’s coolest and most obscure footy scarf and t-shirt, as well as a limited number of handcrafted soccer balls from the dusty fields of northern Uganda. Yes, they're all awesome!
And Toronto-based supporters, make sure you check out our 'Footy Talk' Pub Night incentive (which includes the scarf & tee). There are just 75 spots available, and we want to see you out for a great night at Opera Bob's Public House!
![The Scarf]()
![Match Jersey]()
![SCARF & TEE INCENTIVE]()
![BALLS & STICKERS]()
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After the launch of this campaign, the international support for Gulu United has been overwhleming. We would like to especially recognize our new partners, the Brentford Football Club and Umbro Canada.
![Brentford and Umbro]()
To learn more about how both organizations are supporting Gulu United be sure to visit our campaign updates page for all of the details.
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Follow us on twitter: @GuluUnited
Join the conversation and use the hashtag: #UnitedForUnited
Drop Adrian & Kristian a line any time at: unitedforunited1@gmail.com
And here's how our link to Gulu United got started: Video - Football for Good
![THANK YOU]()
To Calvin Okello and everyone associated with Gulu United. Thank you for allowing us to walk (run and kick) with you.
To Allen Ford for the new Gulu United design and all of his creative inspiration: www.allenford.ca
To Andrew Cromey for his direction, production (and patience) leading our very first Indiegogo video: www.vimeo.com/sirenfilms
To James, Jason and Rachel for being such great sports and having some fun with us -- for all of the right reasons.
Thanks to Eric & Bram for spreading the good word at It's Football Day.
To everyone who has helped along the way and is out
there spreading the word about a great group of volunteers in northern Uganda -- who just want to give their kids a chance.
Thank you (and get the scarf).
Adrian & Kristian