Boys’ Week: Fair Trade Sports Soccer Ball Review

A soccer ball is a soccer ball is a soccer ball. Right?

Here in America, throw a soccer ball around, and kids will jump for joy and run to play.

In other parts of the world – Pakistan, namely, where 70% of soccer balls are made –  children most likely don’t play with soccer balls; they most likely make soccer balls, Wages are so low, everyone has to work.

A new sports company, Fair Trade Sports, gives new meaning to the term “fair play.” It’s not right that one boy’s play should be another boy’s labor.

Fair Trade Sports, Inc is the first sports equipment company in North America to launch a full line of Eco + Fair Trade Certified sports balls, ensuring fair wages and healthy working conditions for our adult workers.

In addition to advocating to end child labor, all profits after taxes are given to children’s charities. Seem impossible? Read their “Rude FAQ” to see how they manage!

When Fair Trade Sports sent us their Eco-Soccer Ball Club Waves for review, I was flooded with memories of college intramural soccer, my few practices with Leszek Wrona, and a stint on an indoor soccer league!

Little Known Fact About Me: I spent three years as a soccer production assistant for ESPN International in Bristol, CT, wrote five commercials aired on ESPN International, and had the pleasure of working with the inimitable Tommy Smyth. Ah, you could say I love soccer!

The Eco-Soccer Ball Club is made from synthetic leather with a latex bladder for great bounce and shape, eco-certified, certified Fair Trade, and meets international ball standards. It’s a sturdy, high quality soccer ball, in my opinion!

I love soccer because a lot of kids play at once, there’s tons of running, and awesome eye-feet coordination! I can’t wait to share my soccer love with my son! Do you know he didn’t even have a real ball until he got this Fair Trade Sports ball?

Even though my son is little, he just fell in love with this ball. Running all over trying to kick it and roll it (hey, handball!). He even hugged it. Serious soccer love!

It’s definitely a great time of year for soccer – warmer weather and green grass are coming… and then this ball will get a true workout! I know it’s a large size for a toddler, but he’ll grow into it. And with the great quality of this soccer ball, it’s gonna be around for quite some time!

Fair Trade Sports carries balls for soccer, rugby, basketball, and football, along with sports apparel. While you’re browsing their site, get the crayons out and have your kids design their own Fair Trade sports ball. They’ll pick the best design every three months and produce the next set of balls based on the design…and they’ll give the designer a free ball!

Buy It: Another way to help Fair Trade sports accomplish their mission is… buy a sports ball!

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Win It: One lucky reader will win a Fair Trade Sports Soccer Ball to kick around with your little dude!

Disclosure: I was sent a product to facilitate this review. I was not compensated in any other way, and all opinions are 100% my own.