Summary
Soccer is an obsession in Thailand. Boys will play any time they can, wherever they can. The soccer tournament started as a small competition, organised by a French expat who lived in Pattaya, to raise money for the Father Ray Foundation. Eventually this has evolved into a big annual event, with entry fees for the clubs taking part and sponsor money from companies. The Father Ray Foundation charges 5.000 Baht for all teams to enter. That is a lot of money, as the usual amount to enter a competition is 1.000 - 2.000 Baht. Nevertheless, there are now four age groups (younger than 9 years, 11, 13 and 15 years) with ten teams in each group. All players receive a new soccer kit, in many different colours. As the Father Ray Foundation does not have the facilities to stage a two day soccer competition with 40 teams, they get help from a local company, Planet Football. They have a full size pitch which is divided into four smaller pitches. In return, the Planet Football logo is displayed wherever possible.
Tips and lessons learned
1. The number one message to get across to both the sponsors and the players is that the tournament is organised to raise funds for the children and students in the care of the Father Ray Foundation.
2. There are no big sponsors who give a lot of money as this would scare off the little ones. The Father Ray Foundation wants the competition to be a community event and therefore relies on the contributions of many small sponsors. In return their company logo is printed on the shirt (front, back or sleeves).
3. In Thailand, when people contribute to a cause, they love to get something in return, whether it be a small gift or publicity. Calendars make a great gift, or a bag of surplus limes from the foundation's farm.
Review by Wilde Ganzen Foundation
Soccer is really big in Thailand. In fact it is unbelievable just how many soccer clubs there are. That is why a soccer tournament is a great idea for fundraising. The Father Ray Foundation sees to it that most of the costs involved are sponsored. It is their policy to attract small sponsors in particular, who get publicity on shirts or posters, or a small token or appreciation in return for their contribution. The Father Ray Foundation takes the opportunity to promote their work and explain how the funds they raise will be used.
Details
Short description of the organisation the funds were raised for
The Father Ray Foundation in Pattaya, Thailand, takes care of 850 orphaned, abused and disadvantaged children and students with disabilities. The Father Ray Foundation provides a home, an education, nutritious meals, medical assistance and the opportunity for these children and students to reach their full potential and become independent and decent members of society. All services are provided free of charge, which is made possible by the generosity of the foundation's supporters and sponsors. The Father Ray Foundation was named after Father Raymond Brennan, an American priest who lived and worked in Thailand from right after his ordination till his death in 2003. It was in Pattaya that he became ‘father’ to hundreds of orphaned babies, neglected children and abused teenagers. He became a hero to many people living with a disability; he gave them an education, and the confidence to hold their heads high and be equals in society.
Short description of the project or programme the funds were raised for
The annual soccer tournament raises funds for the work of the Father Ray Foundation in Pattaya, Thailand. These are the programmes the funds are needed for:
1. Since 1984 more than 2.500 young adults with disabilities have successfully graduated from the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities. They leave with the skills and the knowledge which will allow them to find suitable employment where they will receive the same pay and the same rights as their able bodied colleagues.
2. The Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind is one of eleven schools for blind and visually impaired children in the Kingdom of Thailand. It was founded in 1986 by Father Ray, with the help of Mrs. Aurora Sribuapan, a social worker who is herself blind, and who is now head teacher of the school.
3. Located several kilometers from the city centre of Pattaya, the Father Ray Children’s Home provides a safe haven to former street kids and children who have lived a life of poverty, neglect and abuse.
4. The Drop-In Center is a temporary place of residence, where children and young people live until a more suitable permanent place of residence can be found.
5. The mission and aim of the Father Ray Children’s Village is to offer orphaned, abandoned and neglected, homeless and abused children a home where they will live with ‘brothers and sisters’ under the watchful eye of a caring ‘mother’.
6. Each morning more than one hundred young children from the poorest slum areas of Pattaya arrive at the Father Ray Day Care Center. These youngsters find a safe environment to spend their days, giving their parents a chance to find employment. Moreover every child receives two nutritious meals a day and several snacks, as many families are unable to afford food, or have no cooking facilities.
7. The Center for Children with Special Needs offers support to both the child and the family. Parents and siblings are encouraged to attend the different daily sessions, so that they can learn how best to cope with a child with special needs.
Objectives
1. To raise funds for the different programmes of the Father Ray Foundation.
2. To inform as many soccer players and sponsoring companies about the work of the Father Ray Foundation.
Targeted donors
Companies.
Results
| Cost/benefit |
National currency (Baht |
Euro |
| Total amount raised |
400,000 |
0 |
| (-) Total amount invested |
0 |
0 |
| Net amount raised |
400,000 |
0 |
Result comments
The ground owner, in this case Planet Football, gets as much publicity as possible, but there is also a charge for things like preparing the facilities, snack bar, toilets and car park.
Description of preparatory work
1. Contacts with soccer clubs that might be interested in participating in the tournament.
2. Contact with Planet Football about the use of their facilities.
3. Contacts with sponsors.
4. Sale of advertising space around the ground.
5. Purchase of soccer kits and prizes.
Follow up: Donor appreciation and acknowledgement
The Father Ray Foundation believes that it is important to always remember those who gave by offering them a small token of appreciation. It does not have to be something big: a booklet about the work of the foundation, a calender, some fruit from the farm. The sponsors receive a framed certificate of appreciation.
Plans to repeat the action
The soccer tournament is an annual event.
