Guerrilla FC Community Activation

Created as a space for those unappreciated by American soccer society, Guerrilla FC began as a football club and quickly grew into an eclectic crew working on an array of creative projects, primarily at the intersection of football, art and community.

As a lover of both footy and creative projects, I was immediately drawn in in the Summer of 2018, wanting to contribute to growing football culture in DC and beyond. My focus became creating a physical space to help activate football culture in DC. In the tactics below, we found powerful ways to infuse footy, fashion, art, and music. And we’re not talking standard 4-4-2.

Community Futsal

With the construction and creation of futsal courts by the DC Department of Parks and Rec, we decided to utilize the space. They built it and we gathered players together for weekly games at an agreed time, using street rules, appointed a court manager and a set up a little stereo. In two months, our small futsal game escalated from 15 players a week to 70+ players and spectators.

As the traction in the DC community grew, so did the numbers on the court and in came partnerships. Nike signed on to supply bibs for teams, futsal balls and gear to give out to members of the community each week.

Guerrilla Futsal Club

Pick-up futsal is fun but some people need a more competitive fix. We took members of Guerrilla FC and community futsal ultras and organized a tournament we labelled Guerrilla Futsal Club. Played on a Friday night, we got members of the community out to watch as teams played under the lights to grime. Peng.

Beltway Barracks

After months of futsal Sundays and banter, we wanted to reward the Guerrilla FC futsal community with a tournament event bringing together every player, spectator, partner and others in DC to put the best of futsal on full display - bringing together the community, creative expression and collaboration. We named this experience Beltway Barracks.

This tournament concept combined live futsal matches with artistry including live artwork, installations, kit pressing, live music, local food and drink, and live broadcasting of the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Potential partners ranged from the outdoor venue to Nike Football for giveaways to providing a space to raise funds for a soccer-focused non-profit appealing to a wide audience.

But with most projects, comes shortcomings. And some are too great to overcome. Due to some unforeseen issues, we have not executed this concept…yet. See you there.

Organizers: Justin Salhani, Jon Lim and Chris Bowerbank

Partnerships: Chris Bowerbank, Jon Lim and Justin Salhani

Creative Direction: Justin Salhani

Photography: Champion Slye, Samine Joudat, and Ruben Gzirian

Videography: DKN