AFL - Australian Football League’s Post

The Sports Effect is delighted to see this Youth Endowment Fund commitment to sports4dev #impact measurement. Too much of sports4development impact is at best unmeasured and at worst just an assumption. We have impact central to everything we do. This rigorous approach will test assumptions and challenge false thinking around impact- an important step for the whole sector. #impact #MandE #sportsforimpact

A futuristic and big project for the development of soccer in Canada.

Youth soccer in the US is a pay-to-play system. Unfortunately, this system creates problems with the overall development of soccer in the US. - It locks out young players who can't afford it. - It has turned the youth soccer industry into big business. Even many so-called elite clubs focus more on making money than building programs supporting youth player development. The Soccer Handbook offers a system that brings quality training plans developed by professional, licensed coaches to smaller, more affordable youth clubs. This article expands on the issues and mentions a few other organizations that are focusing on grassroots efforts. Together we can help develop US Soccer from the ground up! https://bit.ly/4cXI4PB #grassrootssoccer #ussoccer U.S. Soccer Federation #youthsoccer

Rwanda Social Security Board Official (RSSB) actively participated in the 3x3 EjoHeza Hoops Tournament, collaboratively organized by partner basketball team, The Hoops Rwanda. The contest held at Kimironko basketball court on Sunday, January 14, featured boys and girls across various age groups including under 13, under 15, and under 18. The primary objective of the competition was to foster EjoHeza program's promotion in youth basketball and provide a platform for participants to not only engage in spirited competition but also gain insights into the benefits of EjoHeza, Long Term Savings Scheme. RSSB's Chief Executive Officer, Regis Rugemanshuro, highlighted the nature of the partnership, emphasizing its sponsorship as a means to endorse a healthy lifestyle. He said: “The collaboration aimed to promote physical activities that contribute to improved well-being for players, community cohesion, and serve as an advocacy platform for the EjoHeza scheme.”   "It constitutes a voluntary, long-term savings scheme, and our aim is to inspire the youth to comprehend its significance and actively participate. Sports, proven as an effective platform, serves as a means to disseminate this crucial message. Through the camaraderie of individuals coming together, engaging in competition, and the community actively supporting them, we create an environment conducive to sharing the value of this savings initiative.”   Every player who participated in this tournament opened an #EjoHeza account and received 10,000Frw initial contributions by RSSB to be put in their new EjoHeza accounts as well as pocket money to buy school materials. Speaking about the tournament's success, Rugemanshuro said: "Absolutely. Consider this event as a pilot initiative. As conveyed in my address to the players and all participants, this is just the beginning. Our vision is to expand and enhance this initiative, welcoming more players and teams to join, creating a broader platform for engagement. The gratifying aspect today lies in witnessing the joy and satisfaction from the players. Winning isn't confined to the scoreboard; every participant gains by contributing to physical fitness and instilling values like teamwork, discipline, and competition.” “This event provided us with an opportunity to propagate the message of EjoHeza. It extends beyond promoting a healthy lifestyle; it encompasses the pursuit of quality education and the development of responsible and productive citizens. Instilling a sense of responsibility that involves planning for the future, this message resonates not only with the youth but also with the parents and guardians present.” Read more via The New Times: https://lnkd.in/d6CR5FEC #youthdevelopment #tournaments #basketballgame #SaveForTheFuture #RetireWithDignity #EJoHeza

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 Introducing Game Plan AKL, a new initiative by Aktive - Auckland Sport & Recreation, providing opportunities for young Aucklanders to engage in sports and recreation. Launched on Nov 9, this initiative is made possible by generous donors. Game Plan AKL aims to empower 100 Year 9 students from 10 selected schools, breaking down financial barriers by offering up to $1,000 per year for five years. This support allows them to pursue their passion in various activities, including Table Tennis. Cost shouldn't hinder participation in sports, and Game Plan AKL addresses this challenge. With support from sporting legends like Dame Valerie Adams, Keven Mealamu, Ruben Wiki, and Laura McGoldrick, along with Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, the initiative champions inclusivity and support for young talents. Aktive, covering all operational costs, has secured $500,000 for the first cohort, starting in 2024. Now, they call on Kiwis to contribute via Give a Little to extend the impact to the next 100 young athletes in 2025. Let's join hands for an active, thriving Auckland! For more details, visit www.gameplanakl.org.nz 🌐 #GamePlanAKL #ActiveAuckland #SportsForAll #YouthEmpowerment #InclusiveSports #GameChangers #SportsForChange #AucklandCommunity #FutureAthletes #SupportingDreams #CommunityWellness #GiveALittleNZ #SportsImpact

Growing Football Fund Grant - up to $5,000 able to be applied for Open to all Football (Soccer) Clubs and Associations in Australia A new and very good grant opportunity supporting the continued growth of women’s football across Australia. Offered by CommBank and Football Australia off the back of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Can’t remember the last time a grant was offered specifically to Australian community Football clubs that could be applied for directly. If eligible, one can apply for up to $5,000 for initiatives and activities that drive women and girls’ participation in football. To be eligible to apply Clubs and Associations MUST: • Have at least one women’s or girls’ team or program • Have achieved a 1-star rating with Football Australia’s Club Changer Program at the time of applying for this grant. If you haven’t, other clubs have mentioned that this does not take long. It is also something that each club is likely to have to eventually do • Be registered / affiliated within the Football Australia / your State Federation / Association structure. Grant money can be used for the following: • Activities that promote women and girls’ participation in football (come and try days, school visits, recruitment drives, digital promotion). • Activities that create better playing experiences for women and girls (coaching courses, cultural training, mental health first aid training, social media training). • Development of new policies, practices or processes that aim to improve gender equality. • Development opportunities for women (mentorship programs, leadership training, inspirational speaker series). • Uniform upgrades (replacing white playing shorts with coloured shorts to improve women and girl’s confidence and comfort while in uniform). • Registration fees for women and girls who are facing financial hardship. • Other activities which are consistent with the aims and objectives of this Grant. The grant closes on 15 December 2023 and funding will be received from February 2024. Applicants then have 18 months to complete the project / spend the grant. Contact us at [email protected] if you want to apply or simply want to learn more.

I could be accused of being biased but I genuinely believe this is a great piece of research, on so many levels. Here are just a few thoughts from me as to why: 1. As you would expect from Access Sport, the presentation and format is clear and easy understand. 2. The final product also contains a playbook, which goes beyond the research and is an attempt to bridge that gap and help support organisations and clubs to actually embed the findings. 3. Research is not my specialist area but this is one of my (if not the) first experiences of reading research that talks to the things that we 'sports for change' professionals have known and understood for a very long time. The fact is though that sport still has a huge way to go to fully achieve it's potential around social impact, and for that to happen, perceptions around what sport is and what sport can do, is pivotal. This research, which is evidenced based, supports that by highlighting the things that are often overlooked. Well worth a look.

Women’s and girls’ football in England has seen record growth, with the number of registered female players increasing by 12 per cent between October 2022 and October 2023. The growth has been driven by youth, with an increase of 18 per cent in the number of registered players under the age of 18 years old. Data also shows that the number of girls teams has increased by more than a third (39 per cent) since October 2021 – and by 17 per cent increase since October 2022. The Football Association credits the increases in the recent success of the #England women’s football team, the #Lionesses. Baroness @Sue Campbell, The FA’s director of women’s football, said: “The transformational growth we are seeing across the game has been spearheaded by our trailblazing Lionesses and the #legacy they have created for the generations of girls who will come after them." Read more: https://lnkd.in/ep7HddgQ #Football #TheFA #sport #WomenInSport #womeninsports

Play Our Way grant available until end of April in 2024: Following the respective successes of both the CommBank Matilda’s performance and Australia’s hosting abilities of the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed $200 million into the “Play Our Way” Grant Program. As the current biggest investment into Women’s sport across the nation, applications for the grant still remain open with the closing date on April 29, 2024. Working in conjunction with non-for-profit businesses, local government officials, and sport organizations nationwide, the overall aspiration of the program is to make sport for woman and girls 'more welcoming and equitable.'  The $200 million grant is available in funding over a three year period in which will be split into two streams: Participation and equipment: Funding will be placed into programs that inspire females of all ages to become involved within sporting and physical activity obligations. The employment of recruitment and commitment officers, coaches, officials and volunteers is crucial for the growth and sustainability of women’s sport. Further funding will be implemented into equipment to assist with the encouragement of women’s participation. There is nothing more off putting than using out dated, uninspired equipment hence the importance in which surrounds its necessary upgrade. Facilities: Much in the same vein as the previous entry, the establishment and improvement of facilities is another primary focus of the program. To encourage and inspire woman to be involved within sport, it is crucial that they are recipients of facilities in that are of a high-standard. The lack of adequacy within facilities can be a deterrent across all sporting codes for all of its participants, regardless of age, ability or gender. Clubs with all the relevant information are urged to apply for the grant in which can be completed upon the Football Australia website, as well as each state football website. The grant is assessed and determined by the Department of Health and Aged Care, in whom are transparent and impartial. Guidelines within the application process showcased a clubs eligibility, grant amount and time period, application process, and what the grant can be used upon. The game within Australia is on a trajectory, especially within the women’s cohort. The government backed program presents a monumental opportunity for current and emerging women’s football contingents across the state. The post Play Our Way grant available until end of April in 2024 appeared first on Soccerscene. #Football #Soccer #FootballNews