End Rhino Poaching

Empower youth and communities living around the national parks and wildlife reserves in Africa, through sport and economic opportunities, to reduce their dependence on poaching of the African rhino and wildlife.

Wild and Free Foundation

Wild and Free Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 based in the United States and South Africa. Our mission is to empower youth and communities living around the national parks and wildlife reserves in Africa, through sport and economic opportunities, to reduce their dependence on poaching of the African rhino and wildlife.

Wild and Free believes poaching will be dramatically reduced when 21st century economic opportunities exist in the rural communities surrounding the national parks and wildlife reserves.

Wild and Free is a different way of thinking, a different way of connecting, an organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering people, for the benefit of people, wildlife, and habitat. We are a platform for pathfinders and innovators with the will and passion to create opportunities for people and wildlife.

We believe that when we create a “prosperous perimeter” around national parks and wildlife reserves, community citizens will have very few or no reasons to poach. The populations surrounding wildlife reserves will become the custodians of the wildlife because they are benefiting from the wildlife being alive.

"Football is called the greatest game,
so why can't the greatest game
save the greatest animal?"

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Rhino Cup Champions League

The Rhino Cup Champions League (RCCL) is a soccer league in rural Africa located in communities surrounding wildlife reserves. Started in 2016 with 12 men’s teams in Sabie, Mozambique, the league has grown to 60 men’s and women’s teams in three countries with over 1,300 players and coaches and created more than 100 jobs. The league is making a tremendous impact.

Living on the perimeters of wildlife reserves, and the edge of society, brings about a constrained situation where very few activities or financial opportunities exist for young people. Young people, mostly men, are easily recruited into rhino poaching with promises of money, and for something to do to improve their situation.

Boredom, idleness, and poverty are driving factors to becoming a rhino poacher. The RCCL is turning communities away from poaching, one game at a time. With weekly games and practices, the RCCL is giving young people hope and purpose and a chance to be part of a team.

The game of soccer is motivating young men and women. The RCCL is not only emotionally and physically rewarding, but also provides financial opportunities. Through investing in the younger generations, we are investing in the future of wildlife.

When more communities are included in the RCCL, we get closer to creating a prosperous perimeter, where the people will have little to no reason to tolerate poaching.

Wild and Free Foundation is on a mission

Our mission is to empower youth and communities living around the national parks and wildlife reserves in Africa, through sport and economic opportunities, to reduce their dependence on poaching of the African rhino and wildlife.

ENGAGE

This is an image is about Bernardo Malavela, Matt Bracken and Orlando Cossa in Sabié, Mozambique, during the Rhino Cup Champions League 2019 season. This picture was taken by Rohan Nel in Mozambique. Wild and Free Foundation is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization and we approach challenges from the community’s perspective.

We asked how we could help stop young men dying in the bush while attempting to poach rhinos, their answer was, “futbol”. Soccer is bringing people together not just to play, but to appreciate the sport, socialize and share ideas.

UPLIFT

This is a family photo of Bito Billa, the top goalscorer in the Rhino Cup Champions League during 2018 and 2019. The economic livelihood of communities is powered through upliftment projects like the RCCL. This picture was taken by Wild and Free Foundation in Mozambique. WFF a 501c3 registered non-profit organization and we believe rural communities are the crucial change agents and the key to conservation in the future.

The RCCL is creating economic opportunities through jobs, prize money, and small business developing at the fields. By following through on our promises, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner.

PROTECT

Rhinos are a keystone species in their environment, they play a hugely significant role in the ecosystem. Rhinos directly impact the survival of smaller mammals like zebra, gazelle, and antelope, spread seeds and enrich soil for plant life, and help birds, insects, and fish too flourish. Where a rhino lives, 80 times more edible grasses grow, sustaining an average of 130 more mammal species. Wild and Free Foundation is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization and our purpose is the conservation and protection of the African Rhinoceros.

We are committed to protecting the African rhino from extinction by uplifting and empowering the people that live near them. The RCCL is a collaboration that is turning communities away from poaching one game at a time.

PURPOSE

The Conservation And Protection Of The African Rhinoceros.

Wild and Free Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization

Wild and Free Foundation (WFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the USA.

Wild and Free Foundation’s primary activity is in the conservation and protection of the African rhinoceros, through fostering a soccer league competition in rural Africa that is helping to prevent the poaching of wildlife and the conservation of wildlife habitats.

Through the Rhino Cup Champions League (RCCL), Wild and Free Foundation is assisting with the uplifting process of some previously impoverished and idle communities in rural Africa, by providing them with much-needed income opportunities and healthy outdoor entertainment, boosting their self-esteem and developing empowerment.

The RCCL projects is creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to earn an income through developing business leadership, teamwork, strategic thinking, dedication, determination and goal-setting. These attributes are then transferred as skills into their personal lives. As the young children in Africa look up to their peers, the new generation of Africa starts to practice the same attributes.

Wild and Free Foundation’s soccer projects in rural Africa is assisting in the improvement of young lives, it is saving the lives of young men and the lives of rhinos. The Rhino Cup Champions League (football) projects, relies on donations and corporate sponsorships (tax deductible) to continue the valuable work.

Learn more about the Rhino Cup Champions League or support the projects through donations.

"We have a dream,
of nature thriving wild and free, and humans being healthier and happier because of it."
MATT BRACKEN
Co-Founder, Wild and Free Foundation

Matt Bracken - WFF is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization

We exist to decrease poaching of the African rhinoceros by engaging marginalized poaching communities and finding alternatives to poaching

"Thank you for all the effort and attention dedicated to this community of the Administrative Post of Sabié, in the fight for the change of behavior and recognition that nature needs us and especially wildlife."
Ivo Silva
RCCL Committee Member

“We humans, send man to the moon, surely we can find another way to protect the rhino.”
Vincent Barkas

Vincent Barkas - WFF’s anti-poaching campaign is promoting healthy and active lifestyles. It is uplifting communities by boosting self-esteem and empowerment. It also teaches these villages the importance of developing leadership skills, teamwork, strategic thinking, dedication, determination and goal-setting.

WILD & FREE FOUNDATION