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December 15, 2023
A lot of incredible work across the world of sport for social change happened in 2023. Beyond Sport is committed to amplifying the work of our vast global network and as we approach the end of the year, we’re taking a look back at some of our Network In Action stories that resonated the most with our readers. From work using sport with intention to drive action in mental health, youth sport access, gender equality, Indigenous awareness, refugee inclusion, disability inclusion and more – read on for the top 10 stories across our network of non-profits and organizations, partners and individuals.
#Return2Play Fund in Focus: Our Q&A with Dr. Monica Ponder
In recognition of February’s celebration of Black History Month in the US and the recent release of the Return to Play Fund PSA produced by our founding partner, ESPN, and its accompanying resources, we highlighted a few members of our Return to Play Fund Expert Advisory Council throughout the month.
We spoke to Dr. Monica L. Ponder PhD, MS, MSPH, Assistant Professor of Health Communication and Culture in the Department of Communication, Culture and Media Studies within the Cathy Hughes School of Communication at Washington, D.C.’s Howard University. Her research addresses organization-level approaches to public health and crisis communication practice and focuses on providing communications solutions to understand, reach and engage historically marginalized and racialized groups during public health emergencies. She spoke to us about expanding public health crisis communications to address marginalized and racialized communities, what sports entities can do to address health outcomes and more.
Read the story here.
Meet Courageous Use of Sport Award Winner Paris McLeggan-Milner
Throughout March, we profiled our five 2022 recipients of the Courageous Use of Sport Award, presented by WWE who overcame personal hardships to positively impact their communities through sport. We spoke to then 18-year-old, Paris McLeggan-Milner – one of the Courageous Use of Sport 2022 winners – about her upbringing, challenges and achievements.
Paris grew up in a disadvantaged community in London, with a childhood marked by violence, homelessness and poverty. Even after losing her two close friends, and struggling with isolation and her mental health, Paris had a personal drive to not let her circumstances limit her future. She got involved with the BIGKID Foundation, which helps youth at risk of social isolation and violence take control of their lives. Through her love of sport, Paris has made it her mission to get other young women into American football and break down gender barriers.
Read the story here.
#SportTogether Fund in Focus: Our Q&A with Advisor Marisa Schlenker
In April, we announced our inaugural grantees of the Sport Together Fund (STF) delivered by Beyond Sport. In celebration of this, we spoke to a few members of the Fund’s Expert Advisory Group (EAG) to provide insight on what goes into designing a collaborative, community-based fund such as STF.
We spoke to STF Advisor, Marisa Schlenker who took part in the mapping and research phase of the Fund alongside fellow advisor Lucy Mills. She speaks to the key steps in the process of the Fund, what it was like to collaborate with the Fund’s EAG members, why collective learning is a key principle of how we fund and what is it about the refugee and asylum seeker experience that’s important for people to understand.
Read the story here.
Helping Youth Cope with Violent Events – Tips from Doc Wayne Youth Services, Inc.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in the US, we highlighted work being done by a few of our network members to improve mental wellbeing through sport in May. We highlighted Massachusetts-based non-profit, Doc Wayne Youth Services, Inc. – a member of our Return to Play Fund Expert Advisory Council and Expert Partner of our Head In The Game program in partnership with Z Zurich Foundation in collaboration with Zurich North America. It reimagines mental health therapy through the lens of sport to heal and strengthen at-risk youth. Its Deputy Director, Rebekah Roulier, LMHC, shared her thoughts and tips on helping youth cope with traumatic and violent events.
Read the story here.
Rainbow Labs – Addressing Challenges Faced by LGBTQIA+ Youth
In June, we took a focus on Pride Month and highlighted members of our network that are working to support the LGBTQ+ community through sport. We spoke to Luis Vasquez, Co-Founder of Rainbow Labs – a US organization on a mission to address the unique challenges faced by queer and gender non-conforming youth (QGNC) and ensure that they see themselves as co-creators of an equitable, inclusive and progressive society.
The concept of Rainbow Labs was created in 2020 by Jacob Toups and Vasquez, who have both experienced the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people such as bullying and the lack of supportive environments. Vasquez spoke to us about the power and benefit of sport for youth, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, as well as his thoughts on the current challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in America and what we can do to help.
Read the story here.
North Yorkshire Sport & Spartans Community Football Academy Providing Opportunities Through Sport
As part of our series highlighting the participating charities of our sport for social change retail donation campaign in partnership with Under Armour, we spotlighted North Yorkshire Sport, which is tackling barriers to physical activity, so people live longer, healthier and more independent lives in York, England and Spartans Community Football Academy, which is delivering youth work, education and health and wellbeing programs in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Read the story here.
SEPROJOVEN Empowers Indigenous People in Costa Rica
In celebration of World Indigenous Peoples Day on August 9, we highlighted a few organizations within our network that are serving Indigenous communities through sport. We profiled, Costa Rica-based SEPROJOVEN and spoke to its Director, Alonso Chaves, about their programs and initiatives that are promoting intercultural dialogue, human rights, gender equality, inclusion and much more in the country, as well as their expanded work in Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Read the story here.
FutboLISTAS X Fútbol Más: Creating Safe Spaces for Girls to Learn & Grow
We highlighted the collaborative work between FutboLISTAS and Fútbol Más who are working together to create inclusive safe spaces for girls to learn and grow through football across Spain. Many young girls in Spain face societal norms and gender stereotypes that discourage them from participating in sports or pursuing certain activities. The organizations joined forced to reach more girls, teaching them to play football, whilst also educating on valuable life skills and engaging on timely social issues.
The spotlight was part of our Beyond Sport and Under Armour participating charities series. In September, the retail donation campaign expanded into Germany and Spain.
Read the story here.
Rexona & Beyond Sport: Breaking Limits Around the World
Launched in partnership with Beyond Sport in 2021, the Rexona (also known as Sure, Degree, or Shield) Breaking Limits Program is equipping young people with the confidence and opportunity to move more, however, they want, by breaking down the barriers holding them back. Over the years, the program has expanded into more countries, impacting many young people, coaches, mentors and leaders and has plans to continue broadening its reach and impact. It supports Unilever’s commitment to improve health and wellbeing and advance equity and inclusion, reaching one billion people annually by 2030.
Read the story here.
Fonds Gehandicaptensport – Making Sport & Its Benefits Accessible to People with Disabilities
In October, our #SportForSocialChange retail donation campaign in partnership with Under Armour launched in Austria, the Netherlands and Portugal. In celebration, we spotlighted its participating charities in the countries.
We spotlighted Fonds Gehandicaptensport, which is working to make sport and exercise accessible to people with disabilities in the Netherlands. It believes that sport belongs to everyone and by promoting inclusive activities, the organization informs and inspires people to discover new experiences and fulfill their potential through sport.
Read the story here.
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