In Seattle, the newest Pro soccer team (the Sounders) to join Major League Soccer (MLS) has already been using Fair Trade Sports balls in their outreach to their Pacific Northwest fans. This new professional team is transitioning from a relatively minor role in soccer to major league! Though their professional games don't start until 2009, the Sounders are already making choices that we love.

The Seattle Soccer Show held promotions with the Sounders Legion to introduce them to the quality of Fair Trade Soccer balls. Some members of the Legion walked away with our soccer balls as prizes, handed to them by members of the Sounder's team! Pictured below is Laura Opatkiewicz, Andrew Opatkiewicz and Clay Walton-House.

This is a fun way to get everyone involved with Fair Trade education. Fair Trade spreads like wildfire - the more the fans demand it, the more teams turn to Fair Trade sports equipment. And the more teams we get to "play fair", the more clubs and leagues will turn to certified Fair Trade sports equipment, making a direct positive impact on the lives of the stitchers halfway across the world.

The Seattle Soccer Show also shares affiliation with Fair Trade Sports to promote Fair Trade equipment in local soccer clubs. Local soccer clubs buy thousands of balls a year. Can you imagine the impact their sales would have if they chose Fair Trade?

Best of all, with our Fair Trade Sports discounts, almost any club can afford to make the ethical choice to turn to certified Fair Trade balls. Encourage the coaches you know you make the switch; the players, fans, and producers all win in the game of Fair Trade!