Gavin Brings His Brand To Ballard

Gavin Brand has become Ballard FC’s first volunteer club chaplain. One of the United Soccer League 2’s (USL 2) premier clubs from the Pacific Northwest, Ballard FC has a storied, albeit, short history. Beginning play in 2022, the club won the league championship in 2023 and continues its winning ways with an opening playoff match this Friday, July 19th.

Brand, a pastor in Ballard, is new to soccer chaplaincy, but not new to the work of being a chaplain. He served as an Army Reserve Chaplain for eight years. During his time in the reserves, Brand cared for service members from all walks of life and several different units, some of which saw a strong number of international service members. A passionate runner, Gavin also understands the demands placed upon elite and rising athletes and his heart is to shepherd and guide the young athletes and staff that make up Ballard FC, much like his military chaplaincy days.

One of my favorite aspects of chaplaincy, is the opportunity to walk alongside of people and to counsel and help carry the various life burdens that they carry.

Gavin Brand, on the work of chaplaincy

As a USL2 Team, Ballard FC primarily plays from early May until mid- to early August, depending on playoff results. The team is comprised of male, collegiate athletes who are seeking to retain their college eligibility but also continue to receive pre-professional player development and opportunities to be scouted and seen by USL, Major League Soccer, and other clubs for future opportunities. During the offseason, Ballard FC continues its work in and throughout the community and with building out a roster for the next season.

Much of the work and effort of connecting and placing Gavin is part of the new position and role of Jubal McDaniel who serves as the Pacific Chaplain Manager. Jubal’s relationships and connections with Ballard FC have helped to connect Gavin and help him to begin a hopefully long legacy of serving this fledgling club with an already impactful history.

In our conversations with the club, it became clear that we didn’t need the top soccer enthusiast. We needed a ‘fire-pit’ guy — someone easy enough to have that comfortable conversation about life around the fire pit…and we found that fire pit guy in Gavin.

Jubal McDaniel, on the personality of Gavin and his placement

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