"The Ball" Kicks Off U.S. Presidential Campaign

BERKELEY, Calif., July 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The One World Futbol, aka "The Ball," bounced onto the U.S. Presidential field today, as the Play Party nominee. Play Party members and officials cited The Ball's well-roundedness, durability, revolutionary results and playful personality as characteristics to applaud. Watch The Ball 2016 campaign video.

"My fellow Americans, it is with great excitement and gleeful joy that I accept the nomination of the Play Party and announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America," said The Ball. "Play is a critical component for the healthy physical and psychological development of children, adults and communities. When we play, we can't help but smile. When we play, conflicts disappear. When we play, we are creative and empowered. Play, in all its forms, unlocks our passion and our potential. It is the foundation for building the best version of ourselves and our world."

The Ball said it aims to inspire and transform the country—and the world—into a planet "filled" with play. Unfortunately, "Play deprivation is undeniably real. In too many places, opportunities to play are dwindling. Recess, art and music are all being cut from schools. Children are more scheduled now than ever before, and many kids in underserved communities lack the resources, access and time to play. Studies show that this deprivation leads to poor social, emotional and cognitive development of children."

The Ball pledges to support and promote the three-pronged Play Party Platform to:

1. Mandate a minimum of 15 minutes of play every day for everyone, everywhere.

2. Provide equal play opportunities for all—regardless of gender, race, nationality, religious or political affiliation.

3. End play deprivation everywhere it exists.


Who is the One World Futbol?
 "As many of you know, balls have been around forever," said The Ball. "Whether it's basketball, baseball, soccer, cricket, tennis, tetherball, kickball, foursquare, bowling, golf or bocce, all these games have one thing in common: a ball."

"I am from the family of One World Futbols, and I have been designed to withstand whatever is thrown my way. I am tough. I am durable. I will never go flat, and I never need pumping up. I can play anywhere and everywhere."

Give to The Ball 2016 and Vote for Play 
Donations to The Ball's Presidential campaign will be used to provide One World Futbols to three worthy organizations focused on bringing play opportunities to children in the U.S., Mexico and around the world:

1. Playworks, the leading national U.S. nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children's social and emotional health. Playworks is changing school culture through safe, fun and healthy play at school every day. They create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active and build valuable social and emotional skills.


2. Futbol por la Paz, a grassroots organization in Mexico dedicated to spreading play to rural, underprivileged children. The mission of Futbol por la Paz is to not only share play with children in Mexico but to also teach peace and conflict resolution through soccer.


3. Coaches Across Continents, which uses sport and play as a vehicle to create Self-Directed Learners, who can identify, address and solve problems specific to their communities.Their unique, adaptable curriculum empowers people to question harmful traditional, cultural and religious practices; choose their own futures; and create change.


Join The Ball in its Presidential campaign to build a future that provides play for all. "If we stand together and are prepared to embrace a world where no one is deprived of play, there is nothing that can't be accomplished," added The Ball.

Let's get playing! Give to The Ball 2016 campaign at www.makelifeplayfull.com/theball2016.

About One World Play Project 
One World Play Project is a mission-driven business that aims to champion play in all its forms— anywhere and everywhere. We make, sell and distribute products and services to enable play around the world, especially for those living in the harshest environments where play is nearly non-existent. The company is a B Corporation, harnessing the power of business for social good. Collaborating with sponsors, organizations and individuals, One World Play Project has brought the power of play to more than 48 million youth in over 175 countries worldwide.

Chevrolet is an official sponsor of One World Play Project. Together, the partners will donate 2 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols by the end of 2018, bringing the power of play to an estimated 60 million youth around the world.

One World Play Project is headquartered in Berkeley, CA with distribution centers in Fremont, CA and Voerde, Germany. For more information, visit www.oneworldplayproject.com or check out our community on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.