Carolina Rapids always wants to be a part of your community efforts! If you need donations to go with you on service or mission trips, reach out to us first to see what we have to send along with you!
The Carolina Rapids Soccer Club pass back program has been in effect for over 10 years. What started out as a way to support player equipment within our club and community the program now reaches out to international communities. The program is simple – support the program by turning in used cleats, balls and field equipment. Our members that are involved in outreach programs pick up the equipment and help distribute the equipment to clubs/communities in need. The scope of the outreach is tremendous and we are proud to be a part of these donation efforts!
SUMMER 2017
I'm attaching a picture of Eric and Cindy. They live in a village in Costa Rica called Sitio de Mata. Every year Rapids donates used and lost and found items for the students at CSD to deliver to Sitio. I was fortunate enough to make the trip this year and the families are the most amazing and loving people I have ever met. Kendall Miller traveled with us this year as a rising high school senior and she organized getting the donations from Rapids. It looks like they have had some good fortune with a vehicle and I wanted to share with you guys that they do wear their Rapids gear all the time! Would you mind sharing this happy picture with the club and telling them thank you so much for their support! - Crystal Moore (Youth Academy Parent)
Jersey's donated to The Shield Academy girls in Barkingside, England
Rapids Pass Back Initiative Donates Gear to High School in Jamaica
St. Jago High in St. Catherine is the latest program to benefit
Carolina Rapids Development Academy midfielder Max Wright doesn't mind scoring goals - who doesn't? - but the U17 utility-man understands the importance of the assist and its galvanizing importance to a team.
It's appropriate then that Wright, while on travel to Jamaica to visit his grandparents, played the role of Rapids Pass Back Ambassador, donating two suitcases full of gently used and new gear to a St. Jago High School in St. Catherine, Jamaica, courtesy of the Rapids.
"I cannot begin to tell you how grateful we are for this donation," said Bobby Laing, the energetic and gracious coach of St. Jago High School's U17 soccer team to which the donation will go. "We have some kids in our program who have the world of potential- who only need a small bit of support so they can continue their development in both football and school," he continued. "No donation is too small, and we are happy to have forged this link with the Carolina Rapids."
Roy Simpson, manager of teams for the Jamaica Football Federation, recommended Coach Laing's program: "We are happy to be a conduit; we know how big the need for gear is - so Coach Bobby's enthusiasm is genuine," he said.
Added Thomas Finlay, the Rapids' Executive Director: "What started out as a way to support player equipment within our club and community now reaches out to international communities. The program is simple – support the initiative by turning in used cleats, balls and field equipment -- and our members involved in outreach programs help distribute equipment to clubs communities in need. The scope of the outreach has been tremendous."
St. Jago, which has approximately 1,800 students, is renowned for graduating some of the country's senior military officers and world class cricketers. The donated gear -- which included some full kits, cleats, shirts, tops, jackets, socks and balls -- will go a long way in helping not only the athletes, but also coaches.
"When an athlete doesn't have to worry about whether he has the proper equipment or whatever, he can concentrate on learning and developing, so this is bigger than we can even fathom," Coach Laing said.
WINTER 2017
The Sports Ministry component of the Generación Deportiva Integral organization had a full weekend of activities in the Peña Blanca area as well in Las Vegas. The executive mission pastors from Woodlands church Chance Park and Bobby Maynard are in Honduras meeting with the peer facilitators of the Generation@ program, board members of the Sports Ministry, with pastors from the Apolos Bible Institute which Woodlands church and the Sports Ministry will be supporting this year. We also enjoyed a soccer match between the schools of Union Suyapa and Los Naranjos and ministering to the young people of Las Vegas with the help of the Central American church youth leaders with the support of some of the peer facilitators from the Generation@ Program. While we were in Union Suyapa watching the school's soccer teams from Union Suyapa and Los Naranjos, we delivered sports supplies that were donated by Cherri, Evan and Hannah Contes from Huntersville, NC.
Thanks to all the people who are part of this wonderful ministry.
Watch the video!
FALL 2016
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SUMMER 2016We were pleased to support Legacy of Grace at Sakhile Centre of Learning in South Africa this summer!
See video here
Read more about legacy of Grace here
We were thrilled to send quite a bit of gear with Coach Mario Goranov to Bulgaria. Great to see this picture of one of their teams sporting our gear as they win at an event! See more here
WINTER 2015
A big thank you to George Burton for bringing the Carolina Rapids to Honduras!
SPRING 2015
Christ the King Catholic High School was able to outfit over 20 kids with jerseys, shorts, socks, shinguards and cleats on their recent trip to Costa Rica!
Summer 2014
Baca Star Footbal club in Jamaica wearing the Rapids Jerseys (technically, the old NMSC jerseys) that were donated to them!
April 2014
Executive Director, Thomas Finlay and Director of Soccer Operations, Erin Smith had the opportunity to attend career day at Paw Creek Elementary this month! If you're interested in having a representative of the Rapids attend an event at YOUR school, please contact [email protected] 
November 2013
We were pleased to send donated soccer balls on a mission trip to Uganda!
