Hello,
Someone recently told me, "I do not think people see sports scouting or sports talent identification as a charitable endeavor." People do, especially in football, music, film, art, education, and various arenas worldwide. Most importantly, just because you do not "see" does not mean others cannot—it is about "reach," extending our mission, and bringing folks into our ideas. Most importantly, if you assume others disbelieve, it does not mean you should.
Your endeavor must brave its birth—and we never feared. We knew that those "pushing back" would understand in time. Most importantly, it is an "agreeing" society, so when one person approves, others will. The further we extend, the more we find innumerable people supporting our actions to help overlooked kids and communities be "seen," promoted, and given a chance to use their skills to advance their lives. Scouting, our mission, and its methodology epitomize inclusion and equal opportunity and represent the totality we preach daily. Most importantly, folks know our actions are not "pats on the back" but "change." We work as a "boots on the ground" scouting operation at the community and grassroots level to improve the problems we face: the lack of discovery, promotion, and opportunity for countless African youth players.
Not all nonprofits or philanthropic endeavors are traditional. Our actions, efforts, and measures are different. However, they are transformative. Nothing worth doing is free from opposition; nothing will change without it. We know that we will not arrive at our destination without embracing those who dispute, misunderstand, etc., welcoming them, and finding peace in their challenge—it is why we exist: to bring them "in."
If you research 247sports.com or rivals.com, you will see resemblances of searchable portals. These websites are "databases" focusing on basketball and American football in the United States. Fisher Talent Group is similar. We are compiling ours for overlooked youth football (soccer) players (ages ten to eighteen) across Africa. So, for those who do not initially understand a "database," hopefully, this parallel brings you closer.
We do not fear uniqueness, being ourselves, or propelling with conviction.
If you support our ideas, please do not wait for others.
Donate via the toolbar (and thank you).
We cannot change the world independently, but we will together.
Until next time.
Live forever,
Rob Fisher
Executive Director and Head of Scouting