Sporting Communities

Soccer in the Sand Corporate Social Responsibility program with BSI, Zambia.

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:18:00 PST

November 4th, 2009

"Soccer in the Sand are very excited to be teaming up with Coaches Across Continents and Beyond Sports Integrated to hold three 1 day professionally run soccer tournaments for the children of Monze, Zambia on December 4, 5 & 6. Along with organizing the tournaments in the same fashion that takes place on the beaches across the US, Soccer in the Sands will leave tournament t-shirts, Official Beach Soccer Balls, and goals donated by I-Goal for the players future use and enjoyment. Soccer in the Sands mission is to give the children organized sport and an opportunity to play in refereed games, to learn teamwork, competition values and apply it to their lives. These tournaments will allow the players to showcase their skills and earn the opportunity to play in the final rounds in front of an audience of their peers." Chris Lemay, Soccer in the Sand Director.

Both Chris and Scott Lemay are licensed USSF soccer coaches and organizers of Soccer in the Sand tournaments spanning across America.

"We would like to thank Soccer in the Sand for their incredible CSR program and support. Chris and Scott are funding this tournament and flying in from San Diego. This is the first year of our Hat-Trick Initiative in Monze and the Soccer in the Sand event will be a wonderful way to finish this first part of the Coaches across Continents program. " Sam Renshaw, Coaches across Continents.

Location: Feed

Girl Power in Kigoma, Tanzania

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:50:00 PST

Our coaches finished another great program in Kigoma, Tanzania and the results were outstanding.

We worked with more than 100 teachers and coaches during our 15 day intensive Hat-trick Initiative program.

We worked with more than 250 children, boys and girls.

We developed a 'Pitch a Pitch' business proposal with Accenture Consulting for the Kigoma District to raise funds to build a new Soccer for Social Development training area.

We visited a Burundi refugee camp to discuss work in 2010.

We filmed our first ever promotional documentary.

...................and we established the first ever Girl Power program for young women in Kigoma.

"Our work in Kigoma continues to lead the way for our business model. Nico and Masari are two leading lights in education through sport and their work and enthusiasm allows our coaches to develop new ideas and innovative games. It will be the final year in 2010 of the Hat-Trick Initiative in Kigoma and we hope to add 4 extra weeks to work with the teacher training college in Kasulu and to develop the on-line program for continued sustainability" Christian Aviza, Coaches across Continents Business Advisory Board.

Location: Feed

Coaches across Continents adds program in Uganda for 2010.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:00 PDT

October 28th, 2009.

Coaches across Continents has selected New Hope Orphange in Busia Town, Uganda as a new partner for 2010. This unique challenge is to help New Hope Orphanage further engage with the local community by using health and life skills education through soccer.

"We would like Coaches across Continents to help New Hope establish a soccer education program that would be open to the entire community. We would use the program to educate children on HIV/AIDS, the importance of staying in school, leadership skills and other topics." Chris Higgins, New Hope Orphange.

New Hope assists orphaned and vulnerable children in two categories: resident and non-resident. The resident children live on the grounds of New Hope and sleep in two of our secondary school’s classrooms. Except for a brief period during the Christmas holiday when most of the children return to their home villages, we are the sole caregivers for the resident children and provide them with all their food, educational support, clothing and healthcare. The non-resident children live with relatives in Busia Town Council and receive a limited amount of food, educational support, clothing and healthcare services from us. These non-resident children come to New Hope at least once a week to play with the other children, participate in life skills training and keep us updated on their situation at home. In addition to providing the basic necessities for the 71 children under our care, we offer them much needed emotional support. So many of our children have suffered through the trauma of losing their parents or living in extreme poverty. We seek to alleviate this by providing a safe, loving environment where our children are free to be kids again.

The life of a Ugandan orphan is scarred by a degree of cruelty and neglect beyond the comprehension of most western observers. After watching both their parents waste away slowly from AIDS, the child is almost always left without an able, and many times not even a loving, caregiver. Siblings are invariably separated. Some are sent to grandparents, others to aunts, uncles and cousins. Generally speaking, the more distant the relative, the higher the degree of neglect. Orphans are treated as outsiders and given last priority in everything from distributing food at dinner to medical and school fees. If a foster family’s financial situation worsens, the orphans are the first forced onto the street. With nowhere to go, girl orphans are often forced into prostitution or an early marriage. Boys join the swelling ranks of the street kids—homeless children who congregate in gangs, dig through garbage for food, sleep on store verandahs and subject themselves to all sorts of labor and even sexual exploitation.

"We are excited to be part of this dynamic organization and look forward to developing an educational strategy that engages the whole community. Our coaches will spend up to 12 weeks educating local volunteers and teachers on our curriculum and establishing a soccer for social development program. Chris, Kelli and Sophie have shown incredible dedication and enthusiasm for the New Hope program and we are delighted to partner with them from 2010." Nick Gates, Global Strategist, Coaches across Continents.

Location: Feed

Second Partner Program announced with VAP, Kenya 2010.

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:38:00 PDT

October 26th, 2009.

Following a meeting at the Football for Hope event in Vaal, South Africa, we are excited to announce a new partner for 2010 in Kenya. VAP representataive, Enouce Ndeche spoke passionately about the VAP program and the incredible challenges faced by local volunteers. The Coaches across Continents Boards are delighted to select VAP as a partner for 2010 and look forward to learning and sharing new soccer education ideas and methods.

VAP is a Kenyan based organisation, formed in 2000 with the vision of instilling important life and social values to the youth of Nairobi’s slums through the power of football.

VAP operates in an area of Nairobi called Eastland, a district predominantly populated by some of the poorest people in the city. The youth in Eastland faces a myriad of challenges, such as the lure of drug abuse, unemployment, violence and HIV/AIDS. Through VAP the youth of Eastlands are able to participate in various activities that include; peer education and active learning. Such activities help engage the disadvantaged children of Eastlands in issues that directly effect them, such as learning the ways of combating the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Recently the VAP program has benefited from generous funding and support from Street Football World, an organisation that holds a close strategic alliance with footballs world governing body FIFA.

VAP works in areas of Nairobi that have some of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infected and affected youth in Kenya's capital. Many of the youths come from 'families' living in extreme poverty who may have lost one or both parents to the disease.

HIV/AIDS's prevalence continues to grow in Kenya despite continuing efforts to prevent the spread of the infection. Young people from the ages of 14-25 years are particularly at risk for engaging in behaviors that may lead to them to contracting HIV/AIDS. Current statistics show that 1.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, out of whom 2/3 are women. The pandemic has contributed to a sharp rise in numbers of orphaned children, which now stands at 1.8 million.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has continued to ravage the countryside and inner city slums, threatening to reverse the sauce-economic gains the country has made over the past four decades.
By using football as an educational tool, VAP is employing innovative methods and skills for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Children need to be taught in more engaging ways than just sat behind a desk. The concept of using sport – specifically football - as a development tool is quickly emerging, and being recognized internationally, as an effective means of reaching youth with ‘health messages’ as it engages them more successfully.

You may ask; Why football?

In Kenya - and the rest of Africa - football is the sport of the masses. Every slum, town and city in Kenya has a team, it is one of very few sports in Kenya that breaks down social and ethnic differences. It is because of this unique effect that football has on the people playing it that we have chosen the sport to aid us in capturing the interest of the youth in Nairobi and help spread the message about ways to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The global football community has a unique responsibility in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We must ALL help towards the goal - using the power of the game we all love - of teaching HIV/AIDS awareness and critical life skills to the youth not only in Kenya, but the whole of Africa.

"Enouce Ndeche is a great spokesperson for VAP and we are excited about providing a new and modern way to use soccer to educate teachers, volunteers and children in the Eastland district. We are sure that our coaches will also learn from the successes already achieved by VAP." Nick Gates, Global Strategist, Coaches across Continents.

Location: Feed

The first new project for 2010 is announced with SEP in Kenya.

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:46:00 PDT

October 26th, 2009.

We are delighted to announce our first new partner group for 2010. The SEP organization has been chosen based upon the impressive work with sport for social development since 2004. A member of FIFA Football for Hope, SEP approached Coaches across Continents in June 2009 and provided all the necessary information for our Board to make a positive decision.

LOCATION	Oyugis, Nyanza Province
FIELD OF WORK	education, employability, environment, health
TARGET GROUP	Young Kenyans suffering from the effects of poverty and the impact of the AIDS epidemic in western Kenya
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS	1000
USING FOOTBALL SINCE	2004
MEMBER SINCE	2007

Based in western Kenya, Society Empowerment Project (SEP) is providing hope to a region ravaged by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With Kenya’s highest rate of infection, the Nyanza Province faces high child and adult mortality, large number of AIDS orphans and poor educational opportunities. In this context, a group of volunteers from Oyugis founded SEP in 2004 to give back to their community. Using football to attract young people, SEP provides life skills, sports leadership and management training. In addition, it works closely with AIDS awareness and treatment groups and local schools to provide young people with training to reduce the level of infection.

Beyond its health programmes, SEP is striving to improve the livelihood of its participants through agricultural training. The productivity of Nyanza Province, an agricultural heartland of Kenya, has suffered severely from a mixture of factors, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic. SEP is addressing this problem by providing assistance to families in Oyugis in small-scale agricultural production in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. In the future SEP members hope to construct a vocational training centre to increase education and further improve the lives of their fellow citizens.

Barack Obama Snr, the father of the US President was born in the Nyanza Province .

"We are looking forward to learning from this ambitious program and to helping them develop a coaching and teaching style that is consistent and modern. We were all so impressed by their work and the enthusiasm of the program and our coaches are looking forward to sharing ideas in April 2010." Steve Wanless, Board of Directors Coaches across Continents.

Location: Feed

Harvard University Soccer Alums supporting Coaches across Continents

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:22:00 PDT

At the Harvard University Soccer Alumni game on October 17th, more than 40 ex-players showed their support for the work of Coaches across Continents in Africa. Pledges were made to the Harvard Goals4Leaders campaign and ideas were discussed as to how more Harvard players and alums could get involved with the work in developing communities. One great idea was to have a Harvard World Cup Tour that would see alums watching games in South Africa and working at partner programs on non match days. Our corporate partners at XL Soccer Tours are designing a tour that would work perfectly. Alumni players also offered to present the Coaches across Continents Corporate Social Responsibility 2010 program to their companies to get sponsorship and others pledged to sign up their youth teams to the Goals4Leaders program. The Harvard Womens' team is running a raffle in support of Coaches across Continents at their home game against Dartmouth.

"We would like to thank everyone connected with Harvard Soccer for their support and look forward to an exciting 2010 in Africa with as many Alums and players involved as possible." David Williams '07.

Photo shows Seamus Malin '61 with David Williams '07 and Adam Rousmaniere '10 holding the Beyond Sport Award for Best New Project. David and Adam were part of the Malawi program in 2009.

Location: Feed

Delighted to welcome Christian Aviza to our Business Advisory Board

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:40:00 PDT

Coaches across Continents is delighted to announce that Christian Aviza has joined our Business Advisory Board. Christian, a graduate of Georgetown University and Boston College Law School is currently with our program in Monze, Zambia, developing a Football for Female Empowerment program with our partner Beyond Sport Integrated. Christian has already had great success with his work in Malawi and Tanzania and his 6 months experience in the field in 2009 make him a perfect addition to our Business Advisory Board.

"I am loving being in Africa in 2009 and learning from the experiences working with our partners in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. I'm delighted that I can add my business experience to the Board. 2010 is going to be a hugely challenging and exciting year for Coaches across Continents and I'm looking forward to working to ensure our continued success." Christian Aviza.

Location: Feed

So far, so good - Starting the Program in Zambia

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:44:00 PDT

Written by Coach Sam working with Beyond Sport Integrated, Monze, Zambia

9am, Lusaka, Zambia. The plane touched as sun was
already beating down and unforgiving as I walked across the
busy runway in a kamikaze like mission in which the British
board of health would have had a field day, but just a way of
life in Zambia, a theme which would continue throughout the
day. As per usual at a international airport there was a
“Welcome to…” sign. What was different however was the
smiling faces, helpful and friendly staff and locals which
actually did make one feel genuinely welcome when entering a
country. After a two hour wait in the quite small Lusaka
airport, without any money, phone - it all became apparent as we had the pleasure
of sampling Zambian public transport. Wow! A bus type
contraption which made the Dodge conversion van I recently
had to sell for scrap look like absolute luxury. The bus
spluttered into action on the dusty ground with the help of
half the passengers push starting the vehicle and then
scampering after it and jumping back in.

We drove through the dirt tracks for an impressive
three and a half hours which by all accounts seemed to defy
the laws of physics. The windows were open for AC purposes
whilst everything seemed to shake, especially the
passengers, who didn’t mind one bit, all laughing and
joking for the whole duration. We were all packed in there
along with cargo, everything from rice to poles to my
footballs to car batteries which made sure the cabin space
was filled. Every time the bus shuddered to what would feel
like a terminal stop, teenage girls would appear from the
local village thrusting mainly bananas and apples for sale
through the bus window, especially at me, being a muzungu.
Stranger items where also offered, from pirate dvds (not
ones staring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly)
to children’s’ underwear. There was constant noise for
the hours we packed into the bus, more beeping then NYC
taxis, considering we didn’t see other vehicles for miles
at a time it was rather unclear for the reasoning, but
morale was high with shouting and laughing always being
heard.

As day turned into night villages were noticeable by
tiny camp fires outside of each home with the overpowering
smell of smoke and burning wood. Finally to where would be
my home for the next three months. A humble dwelling in
Monze. The night had now well and truly drawn it dark cape
over the town as we had a welcoming camp fire outside with
my housemates underneath the clearest night’s sky I have
ever seen, with thousands of stars twinkling above us.

Awoken by natures own alarm clock, the rooster, along
with the burning sun blazing through the window and my
mosquito net, it was off to my first football coaching
session. I would later learn that this would be a loose term
for the task at hand. With a three mile walk to the football
pitch (also a loose term) along the sun burnt red soil and
avoiding cattle which were haphazardly meandering around the
paths it was already draining. The friendliness of the
locals with cheery shouts of “hello” and “bboola” as
the whole nation is football crazy and mesmerised by the
sight of a bag full of footballs which are too expensive to
own for the average inhabitant. Children came rushing out of
everywhere on our trek to the field in a very much Pied
Piper like situation. Children kept appearing as they knew
that this could be the only time in the week that they had
to play, have fun and actually be children.

The growing numbers of youngsters are not put off by
the burning sun above, the dirty dusty stoney ground with
sparse patches of burnt grass, the fact that 90% aren’t
wearing any footwear or even that some are carrying their
baby siblings on their backs. It was obvious rather quickly
that the children had a limited English vocabulary, and
unsurprisingly my Tongan language education was extremely
small. Through a lot of key words, hand signals and
demonstrations it seemed to be a success for the 60
participants. Smiles, laughs, intrigue and eagerness filled
the faces of the children for the couple of hours I was
there. A particular highlight of mine was including a small
girl, to which the language barrier was eradicated due to
the fact she was both deaf and dumb. Seeing the enjoyment
she was having joining in with every game we played was
phenomenal.

For the second session I took a ride on the back of a
motorbike in my shorts an tee-shirt along the uneven cattle
worn tracks for ten miles. A hundred times more thrilling
than a roller coaster but also more dangerous and scary! As
we arrived my arms were tired from holding on so tightly but
we were met by the whole town on a sports afternoon. There
was an adults football match in full swing on the village
football pitch, a Netball game on the netball court, which
left myself and my assistant coach / translator with seven
footballs and 10 square yards of grass. Again kids came from
everywhere to fill this small space. Whilst they were still
pouring in I counted over 140 children in this tiny area. I
will never forget that hour and a half in which we kept
every child involved with plenty of touches of the ball,
having fun and smiles on their faces. The appreciation the
kids have for our visits is undeniably evident. We wrapped
up each session with the kids sat down and a talk on
‘Childs rights’ which the kids could ask us questions,
answer our questions and learn more. All together this is a
great programme for everyone involved and I am extremely
thankful for the experiences and to be part of it.

Location: Feed

The work continues in Year 2 in Kigoma, Tanzania.

theteam.nospam@nospam.sportingcommunities.com (steve) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:32:00 PDT

The Coaches across Continents Hat trick Initiative in Kigoma, Tanzania has started it's second year. Working with Nicolaus Achompota, the Sports Officer for the Kigoma Municipal Education, our two coaches have spent the first week back in Kigoma working with 32 teachers from schools in the region.. It was a great week where teachers developed a new style of teaching, learned how to use a quieter voice and positive body language to encourage children to engage in a new series of challenges through soccer. As with all our 2009 programs, teachers in developing communities were shown how soccer can be used to develop a healthy body and mind. The Ronaldo education day was a huge success and the new and fun HIV education games promoted discussion and development. The week finished with a quick game with all the teachers laughing and encouraging each other.

"We all worked so hard but always we were laughing. We learned how soccer can be used to educate our children how to be healthier. It was great" Kigoma teacher.

In the evenings, Coaches Christian and Nick devoted their time to work with underprivileged children in the area. On the first night, 12 young girls turned up for their first ever experience playing soccer and by night number 3, there were 145 girls on the dusty field with our two coaches and 4 soccer balls. It was great experience full of education, songs and soccer. Seeing 145 girls and young women singing and dancing to our newly created "Jambo, Jambo" song was an unforgettable experience.

Next week we leave Kigoma to work with upto 60 teachers at the teacher training college in Kasulu, a college two hours from Kigoma town. It is an exciting opportunity for Coaches across Continents to work with young teachers and to help them understand the power of football for social development..
Location: Feed

All Action Sports Show — updates

theteam.nospam@nospam.sportingcommunities.com (All Action Sports Show) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:29:00 PDT

Conference Programme Signs Up Sports Science Specialists!

The All Action Sports Show is not just a great place to find sports demonstrations, get training advice, and find a wide variety of clothing, equipment and nutrition vendors.

It’s also the place where you can hear experts in their field discuss the issues that matter to sports people of all levels of ability.

Experts like Gareth Turner of the Lucozade Sports Team. On Saturday 7th November, Gareth, a sports science graduate and holder of a Masters degree in Applied Exercise Physiology, will be speaking on the theme Understanding hydration and nutrition in sport is vital to success.

See the experts – for free!

The Lucozade Sports Science Team is made up of sport scientists based all around the country who visit clubs and events and offer advice on sports nutrition. At the All Action Sports Show conference, they will share their knowledge and experience across a broad variety of sports with athletes of all levels and abilities.

This exciting event is free but places are limited! To register just click here. [NB: You will need be to be over 18 and be able to show identification to attend the conference.]

Futsal, Fencing and American Football fans take note!

Don’t forget we’re calling all teams and clubs for American Football, Futsal [Five-A-Side] and Fencing to take part in demonstrations and have-a-go team competitions at the All Action Sports Show.

There will be prizes for the top teams and free registration for a limited time only. Both able-bodied and disabled teams are encouraged to participate in the futsal and fencing competitions. To find out more go to http://www.nandcoevents.co.uk/aa_sports/demos.html

And if you play another sport that you and your team or club would like to promote to a wider audience, just let us know. Call 07792 387 201 and ask for ‘Niké.

Something for everyone

The conference and competitions are just two of the many attractions offered by the All Action Sports Show, an event that offers visitors:

A platform to try out sports and find sports clubs
Fitness advice
Expert insights into their sport
Seminars and teaching aids
Sports-related clothing and equipment

…and much, much more!

With London hosting the Olympics in 2012, now is the ideal time to tap into the growing interest in sport and participation across the capital and beyond. And the All Action Sports show is the ideal event to help you do just that.

Whether you’re a supplier, a participant, an expert or just want to find the sport for you, London’s Olympia Two is the place to be from the 6th - 8th of November.

So put the All Action Sports Show in your diary and don’t forget: it’s free to attend – but only if you register in advance! Just click on the free entry button in this email.

We look forward to seeing you at the All Action Sports Show!

Best regards,

‘Niké Ajibode - Exhibition Manager [nike@nandcoevents.co.uk]
Helen Coffey - Events Co-ordinator / Conference Manager [Helen@nancoevents.co.uk]

N & Co Events Ltd, Marshall House, 124 Middleton Road Morden, Surrey SM4 6RW
Tel: 0203 002 9117 Email: info@nandcoevents.co.uk
Copyright (C) 2009 N & Co Events Ltd All rights reserved

Location: Feed

Kicking off Goals4Leaders

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:00:00 PDT

Goals4Leaders is an exciting new initiative that was designed by David Williams to raise funds for Coaches Across Continents. With your help, results can be impressive and will make a huge difference to the people in the communities in which Coaches Across Continents works! The idea is simple - family, friends, fans and businesses sponsor each goal scored by their chosen soccer team across the whole season. The more goals scored, the more money raised! Individuals can also donate a fixed amount if they are worried that the team they are sponsoring will be TOO successful in their goal scoring!

So why are we telling you all of this?! Well, we need your help! There are 2 ways you can get involved:

1) Donate! We already have a soccer team who are acting as the pioneers for Goals4Leaders. You can sponsor them per goal, or for a fixed amount. Help motivate them to score as many goals as possible! To do this, go to http://www.firstgiving.com/harvardsoccerseniors or http://www.firstgiving.com/hwssophomores

2) Support your team and generate social change! Register your sports team so that you can raise funds for every goal that you score! As an extra incentive to score more goals, if you raise enough money there will be an opportunity for you to travel to one of the community programmes in Africa or one of the other countries in which Coaches Across Continents operate and see what your money is directly contributing to! Create your own fundraising page by going to: http://www.firstgiving.com/22655

Please tell all of your friends, family and colleagues about Coaches Across Continents and Goals4Leaders so that we can get as many different soccer teams as we can registered and raising funds! You could also get rival soccer teams to sign up and add some extra rivalry - not just in the game, but in who can raise the most money!

We can't make a difference without you...sign up now!

Thanks in advance,

Aaron

Coaches across Continents
Location: Feed

New Partnership from Beyond Sport World

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:01:00 PDT

Coaches across Continents are delighted to announce a new CSR partner, kick4change.

About kick4change:

kick4change is a Community Interest Company. CIC's are created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a "community interest test" and "asset lock", which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role.

The business, founded by Jamie Tosh and Simon Brown, friends since school, is a community vehicle that will raise significant funds from the sale of its 4sport branded products. We will donate 50% of profits directly back to schools and grass roots sports clubs who register with us and whose parents purchase our products. The remaining profits will go into the asset lock, to be further used for investing in grass roots sports and good causes. This level of donation could only be achieved by a company with a social enterprise status and associated values.

We recognise that sport can shape, develop and improve young lives. We are committed to making sport as accessible as possible for as many young people as possible, allowing them to benefit from the life skills and experiences that only sport can provide.

That is why we have initially designed and developed football boots that are accessible to everyone. Irrespective of ability, race, colour or creed, sport should be played and enjoyed by all. You can purchase a pair of our 4sport football boots by clicking here.

We want to work alongside schools, sports clubs, charities and companies adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, both in the UK and abroad, and to gain recognition as a brand that stands for quality, value and that re-invests in grass roots sports. In effect the people's champion that gives consumers another choice and the ability to do something positive with their money and benefit directly from their purchasing decisions.

"We are excited to work alongside kick4change and be part of their CIC adventure. W'd like to thank Jamie and Simon for their initial donation of a Boot Library for a Coaches across Continents program in Africa in 2010. Having young children wearing the 4sport footwear increases the safety aspect of all our programs and is exciting for children, so used to playing barefoot. Their idea is unique and makes a perfect CSR partner for us. Their support will make a huge difference to thousands of children in our programs" Nick Gates, Global Strategist.

Location: Feed

Work Begins for 2010

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:41:00 PDT

September is going to be a very busy month for everyone connected with Coaches across Continents.

Our Business Advisory Board is working with Accenture Consulting to develop our External Communication Strategy. We are delighted to work with Accenture, BBH and Barclays as part of our Beyond Sport Award 2009. The work will include the launch of our new CSR 2010 package and the implementation of our Funding Membership Program 2010. BBH will provide workable solutions to our digital branding and communication strategy. Our detail to business helps Coaches across Continents to deliver our program to like minded partners in developing regions.

Our Board of Directors begins the difficult process of selecting Partner Programs for 2010 from an outstanding group of organizations in Africa, North America, South America, Asia and Europe. From requests from more than 80 countries, our Board have narrowed down the selection to 21 outstanding programs and are working to finalize programs, dates and times for 2010.

Our Coach Advisory Board is working with a great slection of Coaches who have expressed a desire to work with our Coaches across Continents Partner Programs. Coaches are currently going through a detailed application process and decisions will be made alongside the decisions made for Partner Programs 2010.

We have two great Partner Programs 2009 in Kigoma, Tanzania and Monze, Zambia who will be running our programs in September 2009. Both programs have demonstrated great skills in designing and implementing programs in their community that are pro-active and sustainable. We are pleased that our coaches can learn and share in these communities.

Harvard University are starting the first Goals4Leaders funding program for Coaches across Continents. Every goal scored by Harvard Men and Women will benefit children in developing communities. For more information go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/harvardsoccerseniors

Get involved with Coaches across Continents by checking out: www.coachesacrosscontinents.com

Location: Feed

Thanks WOLFEBORO NH

theteam.nospam@nospam.sportingcommunities.com (Play Soccer Camps) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:12:00 PDT

What a fantastic week in Wolfeboro NH, they hosted the Freestyle Skills, Soccer Tots and Mums/Dads and Tots programs held on a excellent soccer site.

What great enthusiasm and skills were shown by all groups in each program and all the campers enjoyed the experience. The sun stayed out all week and there was a great turn out of parents for the final game.

Tom and I would like to thank the town of Wolfeboro, the campers and parents and our host family for a great week all round – See you all next year.

Holly and Tom

Location: Feed

Amazing week in Middletown

theteam.nospam@nospam.sportingcommunities.com (Play Soccer Camps) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:59:00 PDT

This week went great in Middletown Connecticut. With lots of children attending there second week of PLAY SOCCER camps during the summer they were very egger to get involved and learn about the different players and skills!

The best day had to be the last day of camp, the Friday, all the children were looking forward to the parents game all week. Most parents came early and warmed up on the side lines! With three parents games taking the place the atmosphere was intense ! Could the children beat the parents? As the games started we could clearly see who had been practicing and learning new skills, and it definitely wasn’t the parents! The children put in lots of effort and beat the parents no problem! Well done kids!!!! Every child seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly and by the end of the week were asking for the same coaches to go back next time.

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody at Middletown for there fantastic effort with the parents game.

I would also like to thank the host family for looking after all three coaches and making us feel welcome!

Thank you Middletown !!!!!!

Sian (coach mud!)

Location: Feed

Beyond Sport World leads to Partnership

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:52:00 PDT

Coaches across Continents are delighted to announce our new partnership with Kickabout.

Kickabouts' mission is to travel overland, from Cairo to Johannesburg – boots on and footballs in hand – and to do what they can to help those that selflessly serve others to build a better today and a better tomorrow.

Kickabout Africa 2010 will focus on three fundamental objectives: 1) Celebrate African football at every stop we make; 2) Honor Africa’s humanitarian and sports heroes; 3) Support for the best sport and development projects across the continent.

The game plan is simple. They'll visit some of the innovative and successful sport for development projects in Africa and organize community matches, free clinics, and football festivals. They'll also search out and highlight those local and grassroots projects that do not have international recognition, but need and deserve support. Along the way, Kickabout will share with the world the love of football in the communities we visit and their thoughts on the World Cup coming to Africa.

"We are delighted that Kickabout will be visiting some of our programs in Africa in 2010 and bringing their amazing enthusiasm and ability to use football to educate young people. Lorrie is a wonderful role model for women around the world and her skills and passion for sport and development will impact thousands of people. We are excited to be working with such a great initiative"

Nick Gates, Global Strategist

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Harvard Soccer meeting the Malawi Soccer President

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:41:00 PDT

While on site in Malawi, Nick Gates, global strategist for Coaches across Continents (Harvard '91) and Christian Avisa met with the President of the Malawi Football Association, Walter Nyamilandu. The discussion centered on CaC's work with PlaySoccer Malawi and the commitment the Harvard soccer program has made to helping develop grassroots soccer education programs in the country. Nyamilandu stated how pleased he was with the work the CaC team did in their first trip to Malawi and that he looks forward to the return of more Crimson athletes and alumni in the future.
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Beyond Sport Trophy in Malawi

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:58:00 PDT

We were delighted to take the Beyond Sport Trophy to our programs in Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre and share our stories with more than 140 coaches and 600 children during our 8 week educational program.

The two most powerful sessions with coaches were our HIV and Female Empowerment sessions and all coaches learned our new motto, "Coaching with a Smile".

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Yarmouth ME - James and Steve

theteam.nospam@nospam.sportingcommunities.com (Play Soccer Camps) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:20:00 PDT

On Sunday Steven and I found out that along with the camp in Falmouth we had to go to Yarmouth for an evening Mom & Me soccer camp, Steven didnt know what to expect as he had never done this type of thing before, but I knew it was a thing that he would really enjoy. Monday began with a blast and this continued throughout the week as the Moms and Tots were all really excited as it was there first soccer coaching experience, first of all we taught the kids the very basics of the game and most of them took to it like a duck to water with the odd one or two just running off to play in the net but this wasnt a major problem as we could already tell they had an eye for goal at an early age. Even though they were young we still taught them about different players and instead of using there tricks we got them to do various dances, which the tots really enjoyed and so did the moms by the looks of things. The week all together went really well with the moms helping out in every way they could, Steven took to the kids really well and was shocked at how good some of the tots actually were. The weather contributed to the week as the sun shone down each evening which kept the tots in high spirits. The host family was brilliant and you could tell they had hosted for many years, dinner was delicious every night and relaxing before the evening camp by the side of there pool was a massive bonus!

The week as a whole was great fun.

Thanks Yarmouth!!

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PLAY SOCCER in FALMOUTH ME

theteam.nospam@nospam.sportingcommunities.com (Play Soccer Camps) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:59:00 PDT

Falmouth Maine was host to another terrific PLAY SOCCER camp. We had over 100 children each day for the whole week, they braved the extreme heat 6 hours a day and made the camp atmosphere amazing. The new curriculum was a huge hit, and the African Nations Freestyle Cup went down great. There were 10 coaches for the week and each one worked hard in making sure the kids came first and had the best time they could possibly have. By the end of the week the children were asking if the same coaches were coming back next year and there was a real bond between the kids and the coaches. All of the host families were amazing and were extremely welcoming, as was Matt Gilbert from Falmouth Recreation who helped organize the week of camp. One of our campers named Amelia will be competing in the Junior Olympics the day after camp and we wish her good luck in the 800m. PLAY SOCCER will be back in Falmouth in the Fall to continue with its successful kindergaden program. Hopefully see you guys next year for an even bigger and better camp.

Coach Hollywood

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