Baller 21

Sport For Change Trends

by Chris Harvey on 07/02/09

It is interesting to see the growing trend of organizations using the platform of sport to impact the world.

Shoe and apparel companies, professional sports organizations, national commissions, and start up non-profits are in the game. Causes are geared towards poverty, health, peace, equality, opportunity, and education.

Change is needed. Collaboration on a global scale is happening. Sport is uniting.

The following is not an exhaustive list, but an additional post on a movement of sport for change.

Gamechangers // Nike and Ashoka’s Changemakers join forces to, “Change the Game for Women in Sport.”

Ashoka is a non-profit support system for social entrepreneurs – people around the world who develop innovative solutions to the social problems that most urgently demand them.

Both groups have created an online global community that invites participants to propose, vote, or just learn about way’s to leverage sport for positive social change in the lives of girls and women.

Sport and Development // The International Platform uses sport as a tool for development and peace.

Goal #1: Increase the visibility of sport’s development potential among the target groups of the Platform.
Goal #2: Contribute to improving Sport & Development practice.
Goal #3: Encourage dialogue and partnerships and facilitate strategic alliances.

Target groups: developmental agencies, sports sector, practitioners, researchers, youth and volunteers, media.

Laureus // The Sport for Good Foundation promotes the use of sport as a tool for social change and celebrates sporting excellence.

The organization comprises of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, and the Laureus World Sports Awards.

The Foundation supports and partners with global community initiative projects that help combat social ills through sports.

Projects consist of educational and life skills workshops, substance abuse, lack of educational and employment opportunities, abusive relationships, racial and religious intolerance, gang violence, depression, and HIV/AIDS.

ninemillion // The campaign was created in 2006 by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in partnership with Nike and Microsoft.

The goal of the campaign is to give more than nine million children better access to education, sport and technology by 2010.

The website exists to raise funds, but also to give a voice to refugee children’s stories and to understand what refugee children’s lives are like.

NBA Cares // The NBA’s social responsibility initiative that addresses important social issues in the United States and around the world.

The NBA, it’s teams, and players have committed to donating $100 million to charity, providing a million hours of hands on service to the community and creating 250 places where kids and families can live, learn or play.

Play 60 // The NFL’s national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day and reversing the effects of the childhood obesity epidemic.

A few examples of non-profit start ups, that I have previously posted about, are Hoops of Hope and Peace Players International.

The list could continue.

C.Harv