It seems every soccer team in the world insists on adding “FC” or “SC” to their name without considering what being a Club actually implies. Not that there’s anything wrong with simply having a logo, filling a squad with players, and competing in city, state, or regional competition, but that barely scratches the surface of what a club should stand for and the extent of what one should be doing. A soccer or football club should be playing soccer, of course, but should also be engaged with the community around them – whether that’s through coaching clinics, off-season futsal, volunteerism, or good old-fashioned charitable work.

A few clubs took this to heart in the offseason and have come together to create a product which represents their respective teams, but also their chosen mascots in a positive way. Grays Harbor Gulls of the Western Washington Premier League, Alta California Sol of UPSL SoCal North, MPSL City SC of the NPSL as well as UPSL Midwest, and finally newcomers AC Chehalem Valley, who have applied for the NWPL (Northwest Premier League), have all joined up with Patchmarks to make a limited edition set of club badge patches. All four organizations have bird-badges - Seagulls, Pelicans, Crows, and Great Blue Heron – and each set comes with one 2 ½ inch, high-quality, woven patch of each badge.

The WWPL’s Grays Harbor Gulls and NPSL Standouts MPLS City SC stepped up to help the program take flight. (Actual image of the 2.5” woven patches which come in the set)

None of the clubs, nor the vendor, stand to profit from the coming together and instead, all four partners will be donating the proceeds to the National Audubon Society as a collaborative charitable effort. The National Audubon Society is a non-profit organization, founded in 1905, whose purpose is “The conservation of birds, other wildlife and healthy ecosystems.” Avian athletic organizations giving back to their namesakes is the epitome of the type of charitable efforts a true club should be making. The vendor, Patchmarks, is no newcomer to charity either – they previously created and sold a series of beautiful patches which benefited the Oregon State Parks Foundation, worked with Trailkeepers of Oregon, and Be There for The Gorge.

The Birds of a Feather project decided to only produce 100 sets of these patches and when they’ve sold out, they’re gone. However, there are already talks underway for the second set which may include ducks, scissor-tailed flycatchers, quail, a different pelican-inspired soccer club, road runners, eagles, and western meadowlarks. Each set of four that is released has the potential to generate $1,000.00 and if enough of the first set sell, then additional feathered footy friends may agree to contribute their likeness to the cause. There is a potential here to donate up to $3,000.00 to birds, wildlife and our American eco-system!

Two of lower league soccer’s most beautiful badges are spreading their wings to give back to the birds. (Each set comes with all four patches)

If you’re interested in grabbing some of these badges and supporting a good cause, here’s the link.

For more information about Alta California Sol: https://www.altacalsol.com/

For more information about AC Chehalem Valley: https://www.acchehalemvalley.com/

For more information about Grays Harbor Gulls: https://www.ghgullsfc.com/

For more information about MPLS City SC: https://mplscitysc.com/