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Beyond Sport <BYSport>

"Promoting social change through sport"

	Tell your story: How did sport change you?	Il y a 298 jours
	Chances are that you’re on this site because, like us, you’re convinced that sport can make a difference. And that belief will have been inspired by an experience. Maybe a split-second one, maybe a career-long one. It could be at the most elite level of a sport, or at its most amateur. The point is that in an infinite number of ways, sport has changed all our lives. The question is: how and when did sport do it for you?
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	Middle ground in the Middle East	Il y a 308 jours
	A few months ago, before Hamas rockets flew through the sky and Israeli forces forged into Gaza, a mixed football team of Palestinian and Israeli girls started playing weekly. Before Gaza City shuddered and then collapsed under constant explosions; before the conflict multiplied and spun abroad, this group of girls from 12 to 16 years old – ages when they are just beginning to shape opinions about the world, about those around them – played on a team made up of different backgrounds, different beliefs, different upbringings. They practiced teamwork by trusting each other, passing the ball and ensuring support. They developed communication skills, speaking to each other on the field, calling out for help with the ball, shouting out encouragement. They learned how similar they were, and yet how different. There is no doubt that people’s lives in the Middle East have been deeply wounded by what has been happening over the past weeks – whether it has impacted them personally, or a family member or a neighbour. And it hasn’t solely scarred those in the Middle East: the conflict has spread around the world, seeping into people’s lives from Europe to America. However, while the media have been working to spread the drama and governing bodies have been talking in abstract and broad terms, there are projects – like this football team started by Peres Center For Peace – that are striving to work with the individual, the people who are actually living in this conflict every day. The projects seek to open people’s minds (instead of convince them their side is right), and teach the lessons of acceptance (instead of isolation and extremism). A leading force in this effort is Generations For Peace, which brings youth leaders from divided communities together, giving them training programmes and implementing sporting projects to teach them leadership, tolerance, peace education, and politics, among many other lessons. The GFP’s symbol (a dove made up of thin, sweeping bands of colour) acts as a sign – a call to others – to promote peace and education in these conflicted areas. Another programme on this path is PeacePlayers International – Middle East, using sport to promote peace in an area where, tragically, inherent beliefs and lessons have taught children otherwise. Karen Doubilet, the programme’s managing director, said it’s at times like these, during the Middle East’s darkest days, when projects like PeacePlayers feel they have an even greater responsibility to complete their mission: to teach Palestinian and Israeli children that for peace to be possible in the future, it is their job to work together in the present. ‘Business does not go on as usual in the Middle East,’ Karen said. ‘Given our location, our work demands that we constantly adapt, yet one thing remains consistent: PPI-ME provides a safe and secure outlet where all children, regardless of religion, gender, nationality, or colour, are treated equally and have the chance to play. Especially in times of political crisis, we are reminded that our main goal is to let children be children and give them hope.’ The projects started by PeacePlayers, Generations For Peace, and Peres, like the girls football team, may not solely mend the painful gash in the Middle East. But they have provided sport as a tool – a common language that can be understood by both Muslim and Jew, Arab and Israeli, kids living in Tel Aviv and young adults from Jordan. As a ceasefire delicately hangs above this conflict, projects like the girls’ football team give us hope. These girls still play, and will keep playing – on one team. Perhaps in the future, those on either side of this struggle – Palestinian and Israeli alike – will follow in these girls’ footsteps.
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	VOICE OVER: platforms and forums (posted 8-1-09)	Il y a 326 jours
	Though this sport-for-good community is incredibly global (projects range from the rural areas of Nepal to villages in South Africa to towns in Latin America) it’s also one that can seem very small. Many of these projects work together, or have heard of one another. This interconnectedness is partly a result of the many online forums provided by organisations whose sole goal is to promote, connect and spread the word about how to better society through sport. Sport And Development Platform, OptimistWorld, and StreetFootballWorld are among the multiple networking systems giving a voice to those who have genuine missions, but nowhere to express their views and goals. The International Platform on Sport and Development is entirely dedicated to joining together those using sport as a tool for development so that they can enhance their reputation, credibility, and effectiveness. You can write your own articles, posts, and comments about different events going on in the world of sport-for-good; you can sign up to receive constant updates; and you can connect with other projects with similar missions. Register by visiting http://www.sportanddev.org/index.cfm. OptimistWorld is a colourful, eye-grabbing news site about all things in the social-good/charity/nonprofit sector. While not focused on sport – like the above platform – it has a specific jumping tab that takes you to a section dedicated to the subject in the third sector. From inspirational stories to the latest events and news, the site brings all ‘optimistic’ issues to the fore - and reveals just how much good stuff is going on out there. Go here for the sports segment: http://www.optimistworld.com/Sports.aspx. StreetFootballWorld is one of those organisations that are both a physical project (holding events and supporting efforts all over the globe) and a network. Along with a constantly updated bulletin board – that announces awards, events, and searches for volunteers – it works as a concrete connector between initiatives. StreetFootballWorld is now comprised of 70 local projects worldwide working with governments, businesses and NGOs to provide advice on development, investment and business strategy. Check out their site and contact them with any announcements that have to do with tackling social challenges through sport: www.streetfootballworld.org.
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	Sustaining Spaces, Sustaining Sport	Il y a 342 jours
	From start-up projects to those that have existed in communities for some time, many require additional funding now or will do in the future. While Beyond Sport is striving to help through the Summit and the Awards, there are global businesses already investing considerable sums of money and expertise in sport-for-change projects. Barclays Spaces for Sports (BS4S) is an example of one of these. Recognised with numerous awards, the programme is breaking all types of barriers with its innovative actions, using sport to make a positive – and more importantly, lasting – impact on communities where Barclays operates. After investing £30m into 200 sustainable sports sites around the UK, benefiting more than half a million people, the programme is now making its mark around the world. Going global earlier this year, BS4S is now extending its impact with sites in South Africa and the US, with additional sites/projects planned in many other territories. In the UK, BS4S has focused on revitalising and regenerating communities through sports sites, whereas the global extension uses both physical sites and projects to address the social issues that struggling communities are facing. For example, in the UK, the programme started up a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in a run-down park in Peterborough, which was laden with drinking, drugs and youth nuisance. The area has now seen a transformation and is commonly used by a variety of groups and agencies. In Zambia, BS4S is partnering with Grassroot Soccer to provide kids with the skills and support to live HIV free and to break down cultural barriers. Using soccer as a tool, the project aims to educate and unify communities in the great goal of tackling HIV/AIDS. The above examples are only a small sliver of the work BS4S has done and plans to do in the near future. To find out more about the positive social impact the sites have already had on communities across the UK, have a look at the independent legacy report, produced by Manchester Metropolitan University, at www.barclays.com/community/spacesfor... Where BS4S is really exciting is in its fundamental commitment to sustainability. A temporary fix is unacceptable, and the programme makes sure the positive outcomes don’t stop once a site has been opened or the project started. Barclays is working closely with its partners in the UK, the Football Foundation, to ensure the 200 sites in the UK have a long-term future. The same commitment will apply to the other sites / projects developed since the global expansion of the programme. Because of Barclays Spaces For Sports ever-growing aim to better communities far and wide through sport, this blog will continually profile its sites and case studies. Be sure to check the Beyond Sport Blog regularly for stories and examples from those involved in this programme (or visit http://www.barclays.com/community/sp... for all the info about BS4S’ efforts). **Barclays Spaces For Sports is eager to learn and work with experts and leaders in the sport-for-change world. Connect with this programme by adding your comments, questions and/or project details here.
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	GOING LIVE - Awards are now open	Il y a 350 jours
	It’s rare to come across an initiative that is completely dedicated to backing groups that strive to better society. So when one is found, it’s vital to take advantage. This week, the 2009 Beyond Sport Awards officially opened for entries. As part of the sport-for-change community, the Awards’ sole mission is to aid projects around the world. Whether that be through providing funding, connections, or business and fundraising advice, this initiative aims to give projects whatever they need to grow, improve and become established in the long term. While the Awards’ shortlisters and winners will get a substantial package of funding and long-term support, all projects will benefit by simply entering. Projects that submit Awards’ applications will get exposure on our site – stating from where they are making a difference and the efforts their projects make in the community. Projects and those interested in becoming involved can comment on those who have applied and contact them through Beyond Sport. Hopefully all those who submit applications for the Awards will learn, inform, and connect with others in the industry. This site is meant to be a catalyst for discussion, and a place where people who truly want to make a difference can interact, connect with others from all over the world and help to improve the sport-for-change community as a whole. Apply by clicking here: http://www.beyondsport.org/the-award...
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	Into the Green	Il y a 361 jours
	Going Green – It’s a phrase that has tirelessly taken the world by storm over the past few years. The questions of how we can reduce our carbon footprint, how can we produce less waste, and how to decrease pollution have jumped to the top of the worldwide-issues’ to-do list. Countless projects, companies, programmes and initiatives have been trying to kick the world into gear – spreading information about everything from the much-talked about issue of global warming to the obscure facts regarding compost piles and solar-panelled roofs. In the midst of this flurry of awareness-promotion, many are using sport to educate and get people involved regarding the environment. Some projects aim big and broad, such as Sport Environment, while others make a difference one step at a time – i.e. the Ecosandals’ project Kicks for Peace. Sport Environment aims to engage people with the environment by using sport. It puts on activities, races, entertainment programmes all over the world that both promote sport involvement and awareness about the environment. Visit http://www.sportenvironment.com/spor... to see samples of their extensive work. Projects have included such endeavours as an Ocean Racing Leadership Challenge, which created a communications programme by using sailing as a platform. While Sport Environment uses sport to tackle the great outdoors and stimulate awareness, there are many other sport projects that concentrate on the material, the active aspects of Going Green. Kicks for Peace is part of the larger initiative Ecosandals, a non-profit importer and reseller of sandals based in Nairobi. Kicks for Peace was organized in an effort to reduce the violence in Kenya, and involves training youths that live the country’s slums how to make and sell footware from recycled materials. The message board on their site (http://www.ecosandals.com/message_bo... is a touching display of all those who have been impacted by Kicks for Peace – and shows just how global the efforts have become. In a unique effort to make a positive social impact on areas around the world, these projects exemplify how issues of unemployment, poverty, violence, and environment can be solved through a common thread – in this case: sport. *Know of a project that uses sport to improve the environment? Give them props by posting your words here.
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	OUt of Africa	Il y a 374 jours
	Efforts in Africa have always been at the forefront of those who strive for social and economic improvement. So it’s no surprise that, when it comes to bettering communities through sports endeavours, there are loads of projects all over the continent, from the southern tip of South Africa, to just north in Zambia and Zimbabwe, to Ghana on the west coast and beyond. The most impressive part about these initiatives is the personal interaction achieved: They aren’t just installed by a distant, faceless company in the northern hemisphere, they’re run by people who go into these communities and spend months – years even – living there, teaching, playing sport, and forming friendships. From the looks of things – scanning their websites, watching their videos, listening to their stories – it’s not about a bigger force going in and providing ‘aid’, these projects are about groups of people forming connections with others. Here’s a glance at what’s going on in sport-for-change in Africa: Hoops4 Hope is another Africa-focused project. Traveling from village to village, they get local residents involved in building basketball hoops at schools, playgrounds and community centres. They use recycled materials in the construction, and try to better the community by sourcing local welders and builders. Soccer Without Borders uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change in the lives of at-risk youth. Based in San Francisco, California, they try to educate children in an environment where they can safely develop athletically, emotionally, and mentally. Their most recent project was in Uganda building a youth centre serving urban refugees. Snippets of the experience can be found on Beyond Sport’s YouTube channel: Groups of students in action, unified and making the most out of this effort. Check it out. Ball For All has started programmes in Senegal and the Republic of Congo to empower and educate boys and girls in impoverished schools. Using sport (football, specifically) as a medium, it tries to enhance children's confidence and leadership skills. In June, the organisation held a soccer tournament, providing soccer/scholastic prizes, school fees, and equipment to participating teams. Other programmes like Right to Play and Right to Dream (posts to come on them in the future!) have also made a significant impact on African youth, but it’s really not about numbers. It’s not about the amount of people these initiatives help, but the fact that they are being active – they are actually doing something. Whether it affects a tiny village in Uganda (such as Soccer without Borders) or a vast population throughout all of Ghana (like Right To Dream has done), it’s inspiring to know it’s being done. The projects mentioned here are just a peek – a small sample – of the countless out there on a mission to better quality of life in African countries through sport. They should all be recognised, so if you know of one, add it here.
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	Catching the Bus	Il y a 404 jours
	This is an extension of Beyond Sport's BLOG on our website. Check it out: http://www.beyondsport.org Catching the Bus One of the most inspiring things that we’ve come across while searching for projects that might benefit from the Beyond Sport is how creative people get in ways to help certain groups through sport. While internationally acclaimed charities and fundraisers obviously make a difference on a huge scale, the small programmes trying to reach specific communities make their mark too – and it’s usually by doing something extremely unique. The Magic Bus project, which has become an example for the type of groups Beyond Sport is trying to reach, is one of those initiatives that has helped a population by doing something entirely original. The aim of the project is to reach groups of at-risk children (those living in slums or are homeless) in India, specifically Mumbai. The mentors – many who are graduates from the programme itself – impart life skills through education (teaching aspects regarding how to compromise, work as a team, construct healthy relationships, and find employment opportunities), while providing them with physical training and outdoor activity. Plans for the Magic Bus Centre in India have been drawn up and it looks like it is going to be a mega obstacle course (basically any kid’s dream). Completely surrounded by natural beauty – woods, rivers, mountains – the centre will have a rock climbing wall, ropes courses, and a water-activities area, plus dorms where the kids stay as well as a dining room and resource centre. The plan is to build an actual site, where they can teach kids how to relate to others, how to get a job, and how to solve problems – and at the same time they get to play sport, go swimming, and play games. It basically is going to like summer camp, but incorporates education into the process, which is a double opportunity and for the kids who come from areas where this type of experience wouldn’t otherwise be an option. But Magic Bus is just one of the many projects around the world that is thinking outside the box in order to stimulate social change. Over the next few months, as various organisations, individuals and programmes like Magic Bus apply for the Beyond Sport Awards, this blog will be highlighting as many initiatives as possible that seem to have an especially unique edge. But because these efforts usually hone in on a small community, it’s hard to find them all. Magic Bus has a great web site – www.magicbusindia.org – but there are undoubtedly meaningful projects making a difference that don’t have internet access, let alone a web address. If you know of a project, especially if it hasn’t found an outlet in which it can be promoted, then give it props on Beyond Sport Voice. Now’s your chance to be their voice.
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	Action Packed	Il y a 409 jours
	**This is an extension of a blog that appears on the Beyond Sport website... to find out more about us, go to www.beyondsport.org** Action. We all know it’s the mantra of many – the answer to how we can right social wrongs, from poverty to hunger to crime. It’s the only way to get things done. If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken action yourself – by going to the Beyond Sport site and, hopefully, reading about how the initiative recognises those who trigger social change through sport. You’ve seen how projects and people around the world have taken action by encouraging action around them – influencing their community by using sport as a tool. And Beyond Sport – whether it’s through the Awards, the Summit, or the Foundation – plans on aiding these groups by making them self-sufficient, connecting them to influential leaders and athletes, and, most importantly, recognising them for their endeavours. But in a time when social networking is second nature to most of us and trans-national communication is as easy as clicking ‘send’, action can also take the form of simply spreading the word. That’s where Beyond Sport Voice comes in. Efforts need to be recognised, minorities need to be heard, and issues need to be solved. Beyond Sport Voice, through this blog, will regularly make an effort to provide a platform where this can happen. There are hundreds, thousands even, of sports projects going on around the world that serve as a catalyst for community development. From now on, at this site, they’ll have a place to connect, gain exposure, get advice, and grow. For example, a community and football development programme in Mozambique that coaches underprivileged kids football while providing them with HIV/AIDS education might be able to connect with Right To Dream – a group that helps children in Ghana play sport and obtain an education abroad (amongst many other endeavours). Here, on Beyond Sport Voice, they can bounce ideas off each other, share contacts, and tell their stories. But this isn’t just a place where pre-existing groups can gain exposure and make connections. If you are looking to add a sporting aspect to your project or have an idea but not the resources to get a programme off the ground – this is a place where you can find help and garner feedback. A community group in Sydney, for instance, that wants to add a sports-related branch can get tips from a group director on the other side of the globe who went through the same process. There are few places that can stimulate community-development links on such a global scale. The web, like the world, is a big and overwhelming place for projects whose direct goal is to impact their own small community. But when you have a place to connect, it opens doors to endless networks, development opportunities and more. Whether it’s just giving a shout out to a project in your area that you think makes a difference or if it’s a call for others to get involved in your programme, use this forum – it’s here for you, for your ideas. So join in, make a statement, get connected. You’ll be surprised how taking action here, on Beyond Sport Voice, can make a difference – in your community, and beyond.
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