In episode 89 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Jason Heaton, Chairman and Co-Founder of Kernow FA and Global Ambassador for CONIFA, for a conversation about the power of football to shape collective identity and spark joy.
As Global Business Director and General Secretary of CONIFA—the world’s second-biggest international football confederation— he helped bring opportunity and representation to millions worldwide by organizing the 2018 CONIFA World Cup in London, bringing together 16 international football teams from nations, de-facto nations, regions, minority peoples and sports isolated territories.
In this episode, we discuss the impact of Cornish football on global football history and culture, the exciting release of their new Meyba kit, and Kernow FA’s big plans for capitalizing on World Cup fever by hosting a match in Pachuca, Mexico, known as “the Cornwall of Mexico”.
Currently, Jason serves as President and co-founder of Kernow FA, Cornwall’s international football team. Now in their seventh year as CONIFA members, Kernow FA represents Cornish pride and inclusivity on the world stage—with men’s and women’s teams, and a ground-breaking inclusive team ranked number one globally,
On a personal level, we also chat about the opportunities that have presented themselves to Jason in the world of soccer, moments that seem less like conscious decisions and more like basic tenets of his reality. Purpose, passion, and footy-fueled wave of relationships sit at the heart of this conversation.
During our favorite “All-Time 5-a-Side” segment, we permit Jason two teams - a Cornish-only squad made up of local legends (including the all-time great nonleague goalscorer with 2000 goals) AND all-time greats like Maradona, Puskas, Gascoigne, and Roy Keane.
Connect with Jason Heaton here:
https://www.instagram.com/kernowfa/
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