Water1st International & Seattle Reign FC Form Partnership to Reduce Water Access Challenges for World’s Poorest

“It is easy to forget how many of our world’s poorest girls have no access to a clean and convenient water supply,” said Teresa Predmore, owner of Seattle Reign FC. “We cannot accept that these girls will spend their lives hauling water for five hours a day instead of spending time in a classroom. There are so many ways that we can work together to make a difference in gender equality and opportunities around the world – partnering with Water1st is exciting because we can not only help build water infrastructure and learn about different cultures, but we can bring back what our players have learned to Seattle to support Water1st’s long-term leadership in global health. I am honored to partner with Water1st and applaud the students participating in their inaugural Global Fellows program.”

Seattle Reign FC and Water1st International are strengthening their partnership in 2016 following on successful recent efforts. In 2015, Reign FC sponsored Carry5 Walk for Water – Reign players walked alongside 800 Seattleites, carrying water in solidarity with women and girls around the world who need clean water. Additionally, the Reign hosted “Water1st Night” at Memorial Stadium. 2016 holds new and exciting opportunities for the Reign FC and Water1st partnership, building on players traveling alongside Global Fellows in Ethiopia.

The Global Fellows program is Water1st’s latest effort to broaden the reach and depth of their mission to transform the lives of people by providing clean water, a toilet and hygiene using a sustainable model based on local partnerships for the long-term. Worldwide, 35-50% of water projects fail within the first five years. Water1st projects are different – they last.

“I am incredibly excited to see Water1st in action in Ethiopia,” said Emily Piette of SAAS High School in Seattle. “Being a part of the Global Fellows program has taught me more about the water crisis, and how it keeps people in the cycle of poverty and promotes gender inequality. It really struck a nerve in me with how something as simple and abundant as water can inflict disease on millions, and be what I feel is the basis of global gender inequality. Water1st is an organization that has been very successful with their water projects, and I am excited to  see firsthand their water project model that has freed so many women and girls from walking for water, allowing them to receive an education, enabling them many opportunities.”

For those living in and near Seattle who want to help make a difference in the work to help the world’s poorest, Water1st International is calling on you to help break last year’s record of 800 participants in the Carry5 Walk for Water, an annual event in Seattle where participants walk to experience what 1 billion people do every single day – carry water for 5 kilometers – in support of those who need clean water. Carry5 is on May 15, 2016.

About Seattle Reign FC:
Seattle Reign FC is one of ten teams in the National Women’s Soccer League. The NWSL is the premier women’s professional soccer league in North America, featuring many of the top players from the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as talent from around the world. Seattle Reign FC train and host home matches at Memorial Stadium, located in the shadow of the Space Needle on the Seattle Center campus. For more information on the club visit ReignFC.com or call 855-REIGNFC.