In the wake of wars and other catastrophes, football brings people together and promotes cohesion and solidarity among children and young people—and their communities. Today, RHIEM Group announced One World Futbol Project, a mission-driven social enterprise startup from Berkeley, California, has selected RHIEM Group as its European distribution partner. With RHIEM’s support, One World Futbol Project is expanding its global distributions capabilities with a launch into Europe.
Working with One World Futbol Project, RHIEM Group has integrated and organized One World Futbol Project’s European central warehouse setup. One World Futbol Project makes, sells and distributes the One World Futbol, the world’s first, nearly indestructible ball that never needs a pump and never goes flat—even when punctured multiple times. The One World Futbols are sold on www.oneworldfutbol.com and then shipped from RHIEM in Voerde to consumers and companies throughout Europe.
“The One World Futbol Project is a great idea,” says Stefan Rhiem, CEO of e-commerce and fulfillment specialist RHIEM from Voerde. “We are delighted to support the company’s expansion efforts in the European market.”
“The European market is increasingly important to us as we’ve seen interest in the One World Futbol from outside the United States grow exponentially since our launch,” says Arnold Ambiel, managing director of the newly-founded One World Futbol Project GmbH. “Football is hugely popular in Europe, and we want to tap into the passion and enthusiasm of fans—and give them an opportunity to support youth around the world through the sport they love. RHIEM is an ideal partner to help us support our mission to bring the power of play to youth living in disadvantaged communities worldwide.”
For each One World Futbol (39,00 € retail + 9,95 € flat rate shipping within the EU),) ordered online by the consumer though One World Futbol Project’s “Buy One, Give One” option, One World Futbol Project will donate a another ball to organizations working on the ground with youth around the world. Football fans can also gift footballs to one of the organizations working with One World Futbol Project at a cost of 23,00 €, per ball. There are no shipping costs to consumers for the “Give Balls” option.
Igniting Human Potential Through Play
In 2006, One World Futbol inventor, Tim Jahnigen, was watching news footage about traumatized refugee youth in Darfur playing soccer on dirt using a ball they had made by tying trash together with twine. In that instant, Jahnigen saw that these kids had such strong, indestructible spirits and felt they deserved better. He realized there was a global need for a nearly indestructible ball that could withstand the harsh conditions often faced by youth living in refugee camps, disaster areas and other disadvantaged communities. With that spark of inspiration, the idea for the One World Futbol was born.
With a concept and material in mind, Jahnigen set out to design a ball that played like a soccer ball, but would never need a pump and never go flat—even when punctured multiple times. His idea remained in the concept stage until a conversation with his friend, world-renowned musician Sting. Once Sting heard Jahnigen’s vision for the ball, Sting provided the initial funding to do the research and development for a prototype of the One World Futbol. In recognition of Sting’s crucial, early support, the name of the ball and the Company are based on the song “One World (Not Three),” written by Sting.
In 2010, Jahnigen founded One World Futbol Project. The company’s mission is to bring the healing power of football to children and young people all over the world through the nearly indestructible One World Futbol.
About the One World Futbol Project
One World Futbol Project makes, sells and distributes the One World Futbol, a nearly indestructible ball that never needs a pump and never goes flat—even when punctured. The company’s mission is to make a meaningful impact by bringing the joy of soccer and play to youth around the world through the One World Futbol. Working with corporate sponsors, partners, organizations and consumers worldwide, One World Futbol Project distributes One World Futbols to organizations working in disadvantaged communities, where play can be used to teach life skills and foster social change.
Headquartered in Berkeley, California (United States), One World Futbol Project also has a distribution center in Voerde, Germany. To date, the One World Futbol has reached more than 160 countries through hundreds of organizations bringing the healing power of play to an estimated 21 million youth worldwide.
For more information about One World Futbol Project, visit www.oneworldfutbol.com. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram.
Further information:
RHIEM Services GmbH
Souvanna Chen
Business Development & Sales
Gildeweg 10 • 46562 Voerde • Germany
Phone +49 (0) 2855 9700-881
Fax +49 (0) 2855 9700-21
E-Mail: souvanna.chen@rhiem.com
Web: www.rhiem.com
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