Overview
Ballard FC is excited to announce our homestay program for 2024 is now open! Families will have the opportunity to host Ballard FC players from around the world between May-July. The homestay program allows players to live in Seattle and be part of Ballard FC to further their professional soccer development, become part of the amazing Ballard community, and help Ballard FC be successful on and off the field.
Perks
- Four season tickets
- Four 2024 supporters scarves
- 25% off merchandise
- Access to club training sessions, events, and more
Requirements
- Provide housing from May 1 – August 4.
- At the minimum the host family must be able to to provide the player with: his own room that includes a bed, a desk and chair, sufficient storage space, an internet connection, smoke detector in or by the player’s bedroom, linens/blankets/pillows/towels, laundry facility with detergent, and a bathroom.
- Families with more private living arrangements like a mother-in-law suite, backyard cottage, or private floor with bathroom and kitchen are STRONGLY encouraged to apply and will receive priority.
- Families living in the general Ballard area will also be given priority, but any who meet the other requirements should apply. Living in Ballard in key for many visiting players who may not have a car and thus require public transit or other methods to get to training and matches.
- It is encouraged to assist with transportation and food as needed but it is not required.
Support
- Ballard FC will provide ongoing support from beginning to end with forthright communication and availability for assistance with move in, move out, and any other needs.
- We will run background checks for both the players and homestay families.
- We will create a contract for all parties to detail expectations for both the family and player to ensure all parties are aligned in the homestay arrangement.
- We will provide transportation support as needed in the form of a ORCA (bus) card and food support stipend with a grocery card.
Application
To be considered, please complete the homestay family application here: https://forms.gle/jk7jjDSGQGUsoZur6
Please fill out the application with as much detail as possible and we will reach out within two weeks to meet you in person to discuss the details and walk through your potential homestay site. Feel free to email hello@goballardfc.com with any questions including speaking with past host families about their experience with the program.
Testimonials
“My family and I absolutely loved hosting Mako and Lesia at our home for the inaugural Ballard FC season. Chris and Sam partnered with us to ensure that we had thought of all matters of business and we felt very supported while the players were with us. Once Mako and Lesia arrived, they quickly became part of the family. Having three sons who are soccer players helped! My sons enjoyed soccer in the backyard with the guys and playing FIFA on the Playstation. We shared meals together and of course attended most of the home matches throughout the season. This experience gave my family an up close and personal look into semi professional soccer and a cultural experience that we would not have otherwise been afforded. We are grateful Ballard FC reached out with the homestay program! If you have space in your home and a love of soccer and community, you should definitely consider hosting a player this spring!”
– Katie Lyden, 2022 Homestay Family
For the 2023 season Ballard FC was lucky enough to have Lesia Thetsane rejoin us for the campaign and the Lydens once again enthusiastically volunteered to host him. Brian Lyden: “We were thrilled to have Lesia back again with us this past summer. This is a totally unique opportunity and was beyond rewarding to have him back as part of our family again.”
“It was amazing. We loved everything about it. Having a soccer player in the home was incredible for our kids. Having someone from a different country was so special to us. There were lots of tears shed on the day we said goodbye to Jibril.”
Ariel Dos Santos, 2023 Homestay Family
“We had an incredible experience hosting Peter and he quickly became a part of our family. I think we got really lucky in how quickly he folded into our day to day. The kids love him! He was engaged in their soccer and quickly invested in their games. The kids got to learn about Ghana and the differences in how Peter grew up vs how they are growing up.”
Katie Patchin, 2023 Homestay Family
