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| Often cajoled in college for being a "dreamer", Mike brings three passports ( Ireland, U.S., & Brasil ) to the table as a volunteer for the world. The dream of revisiting Niger as a goodwill ambassador is 20 years in the making, and thus, a testament to Mike's "never say die" attitude. His love of soccer and compassion for the children of Niger are the catalysts to the creation of "Project Play". |
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| Dena McKelvey is formerly President of the McKelvey Educational Foundation, which gives 4 year college scholarships to low income rural students who exhibit entrepreneurial spirit. She is also a longtime supporter of an impoverished preschool in the Dominican Republic. This project has inspired her to begin forming another foundation to help third world children www.HelpingChildrenInNeed.org "I am committed heart and soul to Project Play and to effecting change in the world through endeavors like this one." |
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| Steve Haws was a member of Chico State's varsity soccer team where he met Mike in the late 1970's. Immediate friends with similar world views, "Hawsie" has most recently worked as a physical trainer at Mike's adventure spa in Brazil and as a coach to his daughter's Class I soccer team with the Butte United Soccer Club of Chico. Holding a Master's Degree in Psychology, Hawsie brings his expertise in child development and family dynamics to the Project Play team. |
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| Another alumni of Chico State's varsity soccer program, Dave is currently the head coach of the Chico Rooks professional soccer team and owner/operator of Off the Wall indoor soccer arena in Chico. Dave holds a Master's Degree in Accounting and will bring a wealth of business experience for Project Play. Contact Dave at www.chicorooks.com or www.offthewallsoccer.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor. |
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| Paige counsels and educates athletes on the mental component of athletic experience through her private practice, Xcel Sports. In her practice, Paige teaches various Sport Psychology techniques to enhance performance: goal setting, motivation, confidence, relaxation, focus & concentration, effective team communication, and more. She currently works with athletes in individual and group sessions. Paige has a great deal of success motivating athletes to perform at their best. She enjoys lecturing and is currently writing her first book. |
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Jim is a SVP of Real Estate Lending at Capital One Bank in Edison, NJ. He also played four years of soccer at St. Bonaventure University, where he earned a BBA and MBA. He met Mike Mitchell during 2001 while a guest at Body and Soul Adventures and began his involvement with Project Play during a second visit to BSA in 2005. He splits time between homes in Hoboken and Colts Neck, NJ. |
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Project Play was conceived by Mike Mitchell, based on his experiences while serving in the Peace Corps in Niger from 1983 to 1985. Mike arrived in the town of Zinder with a love for the game of soccer and a duffel bag containing 8 balls. Accordingly, the balls were his ticket into the lives of the local children. Within a short time Mike became an integral part of the provincial club team L'Equipe Espoir (Team Hope), which eventually won the 1984 Nigerian Championship (see photo below).
Project Play's goal of returning to Niger with an estimated five thousand soccer balls, will be the first fruit borne of Mike's dream to reconnect with the children of Africa and enhance global understanding through sport. |
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