Living Together Through Football

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:08:16 +0100

COUNT US IN

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:38:19 +0000

The Target Group

Youth Clubs and Schools
Ethnic Minorities
Local Indigenous and National Community
Age Group: 9 – 16 years
Gender: Male and Female.

The Count Us In programme consists of 2 Phases:

Phase 1 is the Education Module and Phase 2 is the Inter Schools Sports Day. SARI devised Phase 1 and 2 of the Count Us In programme to give young people and their peers the opportunity to understand the values that exist in sport and to demonstrate that these are the same values that can be used in everyday life. It also encourages and explores, cultural diversity and societies of the world using sport as the catalyst.

Phase 1.
The education module, resourced by a series of exercises specifically tailored for each age group and framed in conjunction with the home school liaison officers and teachers, uses positive imagery, such as the SARI Sporting Heads DVD to animate a dialogue with the students focused on integration through sport. Students are introduced to terms such as Racism, Integration, Fair Play, Respect Team Work and are encouraged to discuss their views. Students are asked to name sporting heroes from around the world, and identify their favourite sports. The value of cultural diversity in a sports context is discussed and broadened to depict the benefits for society as a whole. The SARI United Through Sport Dvd is shown to the students and their opinions are sought on the themes discussed.

Phase 2.
Count Us In Inter-school Sports Day. This is a dedicated day bringing all the students together from the participating schools, under the banner of integration through sport, to actively play sport and get to know each other in a safe and fun environment free from racism and other forms of discrimination using the universal language of sport. Critical to the success of this project is SARI’s continued partnerships with the National Sports Organisations including, who provide Development officers, coaches and valuable information on how those participating can avail of mainstreaming opportunities and access local sports initiatives in the area. The sports day provides the praxis for the education module and those participating get to learn a range of skills in each sport and try a different sport.

Tantamount to the effectiveness of the project is the encouragement by SARI staff and volunteers to get the students to mix and dialogue with each other on and off the pitches and courts. SARI do this by mixing the classes from each of the schools. Through the universal language of sport, they share their commonalities and learn to value diversity.

All those participating are awarded a Count Us In certificate of participation. SARI in developing each aspect of the project will work with a number of key stakeholders, individuals and organisations: Including Home School Liaison Officers, Teachers, Parents and Guardians, Sports Development Officers, National Sports organisations.

Aims and Objectives

Use sporting activity as a tool for integration
Discuss and promote the values of sport such as teamwork, fair-play, respect through the education modules
Generate intercultural dialogue in and outside of the classroom that values cultural diversity
Breakdown perceived barriers to integration
Promote positive integration by providing safe spaces free from racism Xenophobia and other forms of discrimination
Build social capital gain through sport in the area
Involve children and young people in the development of the project.
Provide the space for young people to explore and understand global issues, cultures and societies of the world.
Involve home School Liaison Officers, teaching staff of primary, secondary schools, sports development officers, sports organisations, students, parents/guardians.
Build volunteer capacity.
Promote integration and raise awareness of the project through media.

For info on previous Count Us In projects held in 2008 & 2009 see Archived News ››

Football For Hope

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:37:15 +0000

Football For Hope is a movement that uses the power of the game for positive social change. It is led by FIFA and streetfootballworld, a centre of expertise that connects a global network of organisations in the field of development through football.

During the final week of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while the greatest players in the game are competing for the biggest prize in football, a very different international tournament will be taking place in the township of Alexandra in Johannesburg.

The Football For Hope festival 2010 will bring together 32 delegations from organisations which are using football to effect social change around the world. These delegations will take part in a fast-paced football tournament as well as a programme of exchange and intercultural dialogue. For the first time ever , the social dimension of the game will be integrated into an official event of the FIFA World Cup.

The Football For Hope Festival 2010 is a celebration of the social dimension of the game and the achievements of the organisations that are part of the Football For Hope movement. They demonstrate the power of the game on and off the pitch.