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December 16, 2022
A lot happened across the world of sport for social change in 2022. As we approach the end of the year, we’ve taken a look back at some of our most popular stories. From sport’s work to drive action in mental health, indigenous sport, equity, diversity and more, read on for the top 10 stories that resonated the most with our readers this year.
Female footballers Push Back on Hijab Ban in France
In early January, the French Senate voted in favor of banning “the wearing of of the veil in sports competitions”. The amendment added a reference to the hijab and passed the upper legislative house by a vote of 160 to 143. France has the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, with approximately 31% of French Muslim women wearing a headscarf (hijab or niqab) as of 2019. Along with the French Football Federation’s ban on hijabs within its championships, headscarves are also prohibited in schools and government buildings.
Les Hijabeuses, a collective of young French female football players who are committed to changing legislation and the narrative of women wearing hijabs in France, were among the many speaking out.
Read the story here.
Anheuser-Busch Leads Multisport Coalition to Eliminate Game-Day Waste
As one of the United States’ largest sponsors of live sports and entertainment, brewing company Anheuser-Busch leveraged the scale and reach of its partnerships to elevate how the beverage industry encourages recycling. The brewer united its sports team partners – including Major League Baseball and the National Football League – to launch the National Recycling League, a multi-sports league coalition to raise awareness of the need for recycling and drive the reduction of game-day waste.
Anheuser-Busch has committed that 100% of its packaging will be made from majority recycled content or will be returnable by 2025.
Read the story here.
Mayor of London’s Summer Initiative to Help Prevent Crime
This past summer in the UK, London Mayor Sadiq Khan invested $5 million to help direct young people away from crime during summer holidays through sports, theatre, art and dance initiatives. The funding supported all 32 London Boroughs in delivering prevention and early intervention programs in an effort to prevent a spike in violent crime over the period when schools and colleges re closed.
The initiative was set to benefit 15,000 young people and community members through the summer and into 2023. An additional £500,000 was invested to provide further support to boroughs to prevent violence.
Read the story here.
Venus Williams, CLIF BAR and Outdoor Afro Advance Equity and Access to the Outdoors
Statistics show that although people of color make up nearly 40% of the total US population, nearly 70% of people who visit national forests, national wildlife refuges and national parks are white. Tennis star Venus Williams teamed up with energy drink and food company, CLIF BAR and Outdoor Afro, a non-profit that connects Black explorers to nature, to create opportunities for underserved communities to experience the outdoors in the US.
The employee-led CLIF CORPS venture supports equity and greater access to the outdoors and sports. It intends to elevate the benefits of exploring the outdoors, such as improving mental health and lowering stress and anxiety, to Black communities in particular.
Read the story here.
Adidas and Indigenous Football Australia Partner to Support Indigenous Youth
Launched on July 6 during National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week Celebrations, Adidas Pacific partnered with Indigenous Football Australia to provide more equitable access to football across Australia. Both entities are working together to build Indigenous football in Australia through a series of initiatives designed to foster inclusivity and create opportunities in these communities.
Read the story here.
Pride House Birmingham Explore Diversity Across the Commonwealth
From July 28 – August 8, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games took place in the UK. Featuring prominently was Pride House Birmingham (PHB), which launched in 2021 to create a safe space and welcoming, inclusive environment for supporters, athletes, staff, volunteers and organisations. Its activities were aimed at addressing LGBTIQ+ inlcusion issues in the UK and wider Commonwealth and promoting LGBTIQ+ participation in sport and physical activity.
For the first time in Pride House history, PHB’s venue was fully integrated into the Games, ensuring wider awareness and programming of events.
Read the story here.
Girls Say Yes Initiative Targets Violence in Trinidad and Tobago
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Chaguanas was the second most dangerous place in Trinidad and Tobago from November 2021 to April 2022. To address, the country’s The Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation launched a ‘Girls Say Yes’ initiative to use sport to fight crime and violence in the area, which is approximately 13 miles (22 km) from the capital. Through netball and personal development training, program participants become community “peace ambassadors.”
Read the story here.
NWSL Passes Historic Agreement that Includes Mental Health Leave
The National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) first-ever collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was signed and published online this year, becoming the first CBA in professional women’s soccer. The document includes details on performance bonuses, player benefits, free agency, accommodation and, exclusively, mental health leave. Angel City FC midfielder, Cari Roccaro, helped secure the unprecedented mental health policy for her league which is believed to be the first in US professional sports.
40% of elite soccer players experience anxiety or depression with a distinct lack of support perceived in the industry.
Read the story here.
Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden Targets Youth Financial Literacy
NBA superstar, James Harden, used his Impact13 Foundation to fund a ‘financial literacy tour’ for college students across the United States in partnership with financial advisor, Jordan Awoye. As part of the Foundation’s efforts, Harden wanted to boost financial literacy among young adults – something which he quickly had to learn as a young basketball player.
Only 57% of adults in the US are financially literate according to the Milken Institute. The initiative will connect with various colleges and share financial skills, including through a personal finance e-course.
Read the story here.
Asisat Oshoala, Nike and Women Win Launch Football Academy for Girls in Nigeria
Four-time African footballer of the Year and FC Barcelona Femení striker, Asisat Oshoala teamed up with Nike Football and Women Win to launch an academy for young Nigerian girls. The Asisat Oshoala Academy provides access to football and life skills for marginalized schoolgirls in Lagos and builds on Oshoala’s long-time mission to improve education and provide access to sport for girls in her community.
In 2019, Oshoala became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League.
Read the story here.
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