When you think of Austin da Luz’s time at North Carolina FC, a flood of memories on and off the field of the veteran midfielder come to mind. Perhaps it’s his celebration with the supporters in 2016 or his iconic head-first slide to the corner flag at the home finale in 2017. Maybe you focus on one of his off-the-field moments at a Pride Week event or his work at the Accelerator School.
Either way you look at it, NCFC co-captain, Austin da Luz, is clearly a shining representative of the club. He recently hit 10,000 minutes played for NCFC and now he’s approaching a second year in charge of Playing For Pride – a self-started fundraiser for LGBTQ rights.
In 2017, Austin da Luz took his activism and support to another level with the creation of Playing For Pride. The premise was simple. Da Luz was going to use his platform as a professional soccer player to start a fundraiser that donated to the Human Rights Campaign based on games played and on-field contributions. To expand the impact of the campaign, he sent out an invitation for other players to join him and for fans to match their contributions.
The response was enormous, as professional soccer players and fans from around the world began donating to Playing for Pride. Not only did the campaign surpass its goal and tally $13,841 towards the Human Rights Campaign during its run, but it equally served as a rallying cry for LGBTQ rights. In a state that has been portrayed negatively for its handling of LGBTQ rights and issues, da Luz wanted to help shake that perception and show North Carolina is a welcoming place for everyone.
Da Luz is looking to reboot the campaign for Pride Month in June of 2018. This year’s edition of Playing For Pride is off to a quick start with a combined 11 players from North Carolina FC and the NC Courage already signed up – along with a long list of stateside soccer players from the MLS, NWSL, USL and NPSL – including MLS stars Brad Evans, Ike Opara, Chris Wondolowski and others. The impact has also spread overseas as Jamie Dell, a former NCFC player and current Seaford Rangers FC star in Australia, has added an international element to the cause.
With da Luz eyeing a repeat performance of the success of the event in 2018, Athlete Ally will receive the funds raised by Playing For Pride in 2018. Athlete Ally is a nonprofit founded by Hudson Taylor, the organization’s mission is to "end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQ equality.”
Athlete Ally already has strong soccer ties with Robbie Rogers on the board of Athlete Ally and professional ambassadors in USMNT midfielder Sasha Kljestan, former USWNT goalkeeper Mary Harvey and Swedish women’s national team goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl to name a few.
Getting involved with Playing For Pride remains just as easy in 2018. For players wishing to join the movement, contact Austin da Luz or Playing For Pride via a DM on Twitter or Instagram. (@austindaluz, @playingforpride) Fans and supporters are also encouraged to actively promote the campaign on social media. Click here to visit the official donation page for Playing For Pride.
In June, the North Carolina Football Club will host Pride Week for the second consecutive year. Pride Week, which is presented by Credit Suisse, will feature an NC Courage game on Saturday, June 16 and an NCFC game on Saturday, June 23. Pride Week events, pregame festivities and special merchandise and ticket deals are also planned around the exciting week of activities.
When you think of Austin da Luz’s time at North Carolina FC, a flood of memories on and off the field of the veteran midfielder come to mind. Perhaps it’s his celebration with the supporters in 2016 or his iconic head-first slide to the corner flag at the home finale in 2017. Maybe you focus on one of his off-the-field moments at a Pride Week event or his work at the Accelerator School.
Either way you look at it, NCFC co-captain, Austin da Luz, is clearly a shining representative of the club. He recently hit 10,000 minutes played for NCFC and now he’s approaching a second year in charge of Playing For Pride – a self-started fundraiser for LGBTQ rights.
In 2017, Austin da Luz took his activism and support to another level with the creation of Playing For Pride. The premise was simple. Da Luz was going to use his platform as a professional soccer player to start a fundraiser that donated to the Human Rights Campaign based on games played and on-field contributions. To expand the impact of the campaign, he sent out an invitation for other players to join him and for fans to match their contributions.
The response was enormous, as professional soccer players and fans from around the world began donating to Playing for Pride. Not only did the campaign surpass its goal and tally $13,841 towards the Human Rights Campaign during its run, but it equally served as a rallying cry for LGBTQ rights. In a state that has been portrayed negatively for its handling of LGBTQ rights and issues, da Luz wanted to help shake that perception and show North Carolina is a welcoming place for everyone.
Da Luz is looking to reboot the campaign for Pride Month in June of 2018. This year’s edition of Playing For Pride is off to a quick start with a combined 11 players from North Carolina FC and the NC Courage already signed up – along with a long list of stateside soccer players from the MLS, NWSL, USL and NPSL – including MLS stars Brad Evans, Ike Opara, Chris Wondolowski and others. The impact has also spread overseas as Jamie Dell, a former NCFC player and current Seaford Rangers FC star in Australia, has added an international element to the cause.
With da Luz eyeing a repeat performance of the success of the event in 2018, Athlete Ally will receive the funds raised by Playing For Pride in 2018. Athlete Ally is a nonprofit founded by Hudson Taylor, the organization’s mission is to “end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQ equality.”
Athlete Ally already has strong soccer ties with Robbie Rogers on the board of Athlete Ally and professional ambassadors in USMNT midfielder Sasha Kljestan, former USWNT goalkeeper Mary Harvey and Swedish women’s national team goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl to name a few.
Getting involved with Playing For Pride remains just as easy in 2018. For players wishing to join the movement, contact Austin da Luz or Playing For Pride via a DM on Twitter or Instagram. (@austindaluz, @playingforpride) Fans and supporters are also encouraged to actively promote the campaign on social media. Click here to visit the official donation page for Playing For Pride.
In June, the North Carolina Football Club will host Pride Week for the second consecutive year. Pride Week, which is presented by Credit Suisse, will feature an NC Courage game on Saturday, June 16 and an NCFC game on Saturday, June 23. Pride Week events, pregame festivities and special merchandise and ticket deals are also planned around the exciting week of activities.
