Why I Joined Common Goal

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MANAGER JACQUES PASSY ON HIS DECISION TO MAKE THE 1% PLEDGE

As Head Coach of Dominican Republic’s national football team, Jacques Passy is tasked with helping a nation of over 10 million people to finally fulfil its footballing potential. Having previously led the 50,000-strong island of St Kitts and Nevis to a record high of 80th in the FIFA World rankings – Jacques knows all about making the most out of what you've got.

Recognising that football has not yet maximised its own potential for good in the world - Jacques writes about his decision to join Common Goal and how uniting through the movement, football players and coaches alike can make a positive impact in the world.

When you are part of football you are a very much in the spotlight.

When you sign to be a coach or to play for a football club or national team you are signing up to an organisation that means so much to so many people.

All of these people, they listen to what you say, they take note of what you do, they constantly survey your actions to see if you are fit to represent their footballing institution.

Your job as a coach is not merely to represent these people, these football clubs or these national teams – but to simultaneously show leadership to all of those around you by being the first one to help the people in society in need.

While head coach of St Kitts - I once had a game against St Vincent and the Grenadines. The day before the match, I boarded a taxi and heard from the driver something I will never forget.

"Tomorrow the whole of St Vincent will smile, our National Team plays against St Kitts and Nevis” he said.

“Those are days where we all forget our reality.”

That sentiment resonated with me deeply. Football has the power to incite change in wider society.

Ever since I boarded that taxi there is not a game that goes by that when I see the stadium behind me I don’t think about how incredible it is to be part of football.

Football is not only a sports industry - it is a happiness-provider industry.  In all of Latin America, football players and coaches need to not just be aware of that role, but to assume it as well.

Common Goal recognises the potential football has to impact society positively. I think the football industry is so big that if those of us from within the game can work together we can serve as a catalyst for social change.

That is what I have come to understand that joining Common Goal can provide - a means in which those of us in football can assume that role in society, join together and channel our desire to give back to worthy causes.

Football has given those of us from within the game so much and my hope is that myself and my colleagues can use Common Goal as a way and means to give to others what it is has given us.

Today, I am massively proud to announce teaming up with Common Goal.  Many times in life you say later, but later often becomes never.  It has been a couple of years since I learned of Common Goal, and the time is now to get involved.

Over the course of my career I hope my 1% pledge can go towards multiple causes and helps many, many people.

I truly hope that other coaches - irrespective of their geographical location or their standing in the game - adopt Common Goal as a permanent way of supporting so many people out there that need our help.