"What the FIFA World Cup Has Me Thinking About"
I've always considered myself a sports fan. Football, baseball, basketball—you name it, I'll usually watch it. Soccer, though, has never been at the top of my list.
That's a little ironic because my son played soccer when we lived in Central Florida. Like many parents, I spent plenty of Saturdays on the sidelines, cheering him on, watching him grow in confidence, and enjoying the friendships that came with being part of a team.
As he got older, however, his interests changed. He decided lacrosse was his sport.
I was completely behind his decision. Sports have a way of teaching lessons that can't be learned in a classroom. Commitment. Teamwork. Handling success with humility and disappointment with grace. Those lessons stay with you long after the final whistle.
What I wasn't prepared for was just how expensive lacrosse could be.
The equipment alone was enough to make me take a deep breath. Then came tournament fees, travel expenses, hotel rooms, and weekends spent on the road. Eventually, we decided to let him play travel lacrosse because we wanted him to have every opportunity to develop his skills and enjoy the experience.
Looking back, I realize something that I probably didn't appreciate enough at the time.
That was a luxury.
As I've watched the FIFA World Cup, I've found myself wondering about the stories behind these incredible athletes. They didn't simply wake up one day as world-class players. They spent years practicing, competing, traveling, and being supported by parents, coaches, and communities that believed in them.
Many probably played on travel teams just like my son did.
And then I started thinking about the families who never get that opportunity.
At United Way of Central Georgia, we talk often about ALICE families. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are people I see every day in our community. They are working hard, doing everything we ask of responsible citizens. They are teaching our children, caring for our loved ones, stocking grocery shelves, repairing our cars, serving our meals, and keeping our communities running.
Yet many of them are living paycheck to paycheck.
They're one unexpected car repair away from falling behind. One medical bill away from having to make impossible choices. When every dollar already has a purpose, there simply isn't room for travel sports, expensive equipment, or even registration fees.
It makes me wonder how many talented young athletes never get the chance to discover just how good they could become and it’s not because they lack ability, but because their families simply can't afford the opportunity.
That's bigger than sports.
It's about potential.
Every child deserves the chance to discover what they're capable of. Every parent wants to give their children opportunities to learn, grow, and chase their dreams. But for far too many hardworking families, those opportunities are out of reach and it’s not because they aren't working hard enough, but because the math isn’t mathing.
That's why United Way of Central Georgia has set an ambitious goal: helping 10,000 ALICE families move toward financial stability over the next 10 years.
To me, financial stability isn't just about paying the bills. It's about giving families breathing room. It's about replacing constant worry with hope. It's about creating a future where parents can say "yes" more often than "I'm sorry, we just can't afford it."
As I continue watching the World Cup, I'll certainly admire the amazing goals and incredible athleticism. But I'll also be thinking about the countless families who made those moments possible—and about the families here in Central Georgia who deserve the same chance to dream.
Because talent is everywhere.
Opportunity shouldn't depend on your ZIP code or your bank account.
That's a game worth winning.
Carl A. Tims
President & CEO
United Way of Central Georgia