Kieran Connolly’s Post

With smiles, they wrap their arms around each other during the baseball lesson led by coaches from Pioneers in Assen. The two brothers, budding teenagers, spend the whole time pushing and pulling each other. Accustomed to one another, they feel out of place in a group of 16 young people from various countries, speaking unfamiliar languages and still getting to know each other. I was privileged to visit the TeamUp program by Save the Children Nederland, War Child Holland, and UNICEF yesterday. It's a unique approach to organizing sports activities for children and young people in asylum centres, focusing on psychosocial well-being. In Assen, a pilot project is taking place where the sports activities for young people change every month and are provided by local sports providers. These clubs and trainers are well-prepared to work with this diverse youth group. The trainers are highly motivated; it's more than just giving sports lessons. They bring a little joy to young people who may not yet have many prospects, which is essential for their physical and mental well-being. The last lesson of the month takes place at the sports club, and the participation rate from the asylum centre is the highest. It's a new environment, and they get to participate in sports alongside Dutch youngsters from the club, making it even more exciting. The Dutch youth are pretty skilled at the sport, making the game more enjoyable. During our meeting with the delegation, including the organizations mentioned above, the Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid, Assen Sportstad, the Municipality of Gemeente Assen, and the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur, we discussed objectives, impact, monitoring, and financing. But we also delved into practical matters, like what barriers we need to remove and what support is required to facilitate motivated young people in their journey to the sports club. This includes logistics, finances, sports equipment, clothing, and instilling values like time management and responsibility. I left the meeting enthusiastically, brainstorming ideas to enhance the program and ensure its sustainability. Several possibilities emerge as the Ministries of JenV and Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport identify existing interventions and resources available to support this program. This could involve facilitation to prepare clubs and training for coaches (both services provided through the National Sports Agreement) and the "Onze Club Is Voor Iedereen" project (by NOC*NSF and 10 sports associations), among other initiatives, like the Sportkledingbank Assen (which could potentially expand into a Sportspullenbank, similar to what Erna Truijens has initiated). The two brothers are eager to continue playing sports, and through TeamUp, they can do just that. It would be wonderful if they could also join regular sports clubs without facing practical obstacles. This may become a reality here in Assen. https://lnkd.in/eRpXTkDZ Photo: TeamUp

⚽ 🏉 Youth Sports Drop-out – An Australian Crisis 🎾 🏐 ⚫ Over 30% of young people drop out of sport annually never to return, contributing to Australia being ranked 140 worst out of 146 countries by the World Health Organisation for levels of teenage fitness. ⚫ While coaches are encouraged to learn about their sport, they are not provided enough information about the young people they coach. ⚫ Youthsafe has developed a free, user-friendly online session - Coaching Teens - to amplify coaches’ influence on player retention, wellbeing, fun and team success. ⚫ Use the QR code to gain immediate access to the session which should take about 30 minutes to complete in one sitting or done over three 10-minute sets at the user’s convenience. ⚫Coaching Teens is a prototype and all users are requested when they complete the session to give us feedback by filling out a simple online assessment form at the end of the session. Your feedback will be vital in helping us further develop the session for the benefit of community sports. ⚫Please share with any coaches or sporting clubs you have in your networks.

What is the future role of a sports club in a community? A recent trip to Pōrangahau confirmed a lot for me and added to what this role possibly could be. Pōrangahau is a small community of a few hundred people, with a wider rural catchment of around 2,000 people situated about 30mins drive south of Waipukurau (put it on the visit list if you haven’t been there). It is in recovery mode from Cyclone Gabrielle’s flooding. The community are positive and supporting each other as houses, businesses and the land are being repaired. A central community group is the Pōrangahau Sports Club. It is an amalgam of two antecedent rugby clubs that then added on netball and subsequently invited other community sport activities to use the clubrooms and share in the community spirit that is there. But it doesn’t stop there. The PSC also donate money to the local schools to help with costs to participate in sport; are we are not talking small change. It is unsurprising that the club was asked to be the venue for Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery support to be based from. The club has aspirations and goals. It is currently based in a very old, former Masonic Hall. When the kitchen team (who serve up the best club meals in Hawke’s Bay) requested the old stove was replaced the committee responded. But that was only the start of a conversation to look at upgrading the hall. It soon became apparent to the club that renovating the old hall could be a very costly exercise, so they began to talk to others about the possibility of a new, fit-for-purpose facility, closer to the sports fields and change rooms. The regional sports trust provided guidance and there we were asked to help the PSG work through its future options. RSL has loved working with the PSC. The club is actively making a difference in people’s lives. So what does the future look like for a rural sports club? Well, if the PSG is anything to go by, the future could be very bright. If the focus is on the broader community’s wellbeing, using sport (or recreation) as the catalyst to bring people together to engage and socialise, then the club has a key role to play. The outcomes for the community can be very broad ranging from physical and mental health benefits, increased engagement of residents and improved opportunities for tamariki and rangatahi. If rural sports clubs can take the lessons of Pōrangahau on board, they will serve themselves, and their communities very well indeed.  The photo below shows the old hall being used for a community workshop to discuss the future. So much history and stories to share.

Team profile: CARIBBEAN👏⚽ The team representing the Caribbean at the International Tournament originate from the English-speaking area of the islands. While some were born there, the majority are from the Windrush generation. The squad, which is led by head coach Mike Adams, is approximately 30-strong and is continuing to grow. Teams which will compete in the December event will be in the over-50s and over-60s men’s categories. There are plans to start an over-65s men’s and over-40s women’s team in the near future. The team members are all currently UK-based, but plans are in hand to recruit members from the throughout the Caribbean as walking football develops there. The Walking Football Caribbean Association has collaborated with the Jason Roberts Foundation in bringing the game of Walking Football to people of Caribbean origin in the United Kingdom, the Diaspora, and of course the Caribbean itself. The health benefits for people in the 40-plus bracket cannot be overstated, and will hopefully develop as the under-representation in the sport is addressed. A spokesperson for the Caribbean squad said: “The sessions, get-togethers, and competition participation are the largest gathering anywhere in the world of people of Caribbean descent playing the sport of walking football. The mental health benefits are immense and all our activities promote health alongside participation. “Earlier this year the first ever official teams of Caribbean origin performed on a world stage and put a spotlight on the sport and helped raise its visibility in general. For the Caribbean community, the bigger picture of staying healthy by getting and staying active is increasingly important and will be the main focus of the efforts moving forward." “We want to help develop the sport internationally and, by competing in tournaments, this will help us raise our profile and build key relationships with like-minded people along the way." “Our purpose is to engage and work with all walking football groups/clubs, partners, participants, local authorities, health services, and any other organisations interested in the development of walking football." “We also aim to increase participation by managing, supporting, developing and promoting walking football in the Caribbean, and to create and support a sustainable competition structure throughout the Caribbean at all appropriate age levels, in conjunction with existing competitions, which encourages full social integration.”

"DOING THE GROUNDWORK (PART 1)" TO HELP YOUR SPORTS CLUB SECURE FUNDING IN 2024 - BROADENING YOUR USAGE. Following on from our general overview of how clubs might be able to be more successful in securing funding in 2024 (see https://lnkd.in/e39kKwYv) we're focusing here on one aspect of the groundwork clubs can put in to potentially make themselves more 'fundable'. To be able to have a great story to tell and to put together an interesting and attractive funding application, clubs need to show a breath of usage. For clubhouse-related and other socially orientated projects broad usage may be related to community groups you host, or perhaps any regular community-orientated social events. In essence many Rugby, Cricket, Football, Bowls clubs etc. are under utilised during the week and encouraging 'village hall' style usage from the local community (that is also affordable), will show that you are 'more than a sports club' and help your application to stand out, as project beneficiaries run much wider than your club membership. To this extent, funders generally look less favourably upon clubs with restricted members-only policies and attitudes that limit the scope of community usage of the club, especially if the cost of membership is also prohibitive to many. On the sporting side it's useful to consider how broad your offering is here with regards to the number of sports you provide and/or how open your club's provision is to different groups playing each sport. Again, funders investing in sporting facilities generally want to see them openly used by as broad a demographic as possible, as often as possible. Even aside from securing funding, there are multiple good reasons for engaging a greater breadth of people in sport(s) at your club e.g. through girls/womens programmes, working with schools, and also provision for the elderly, people with disabilities etc. Like other aspects of the funding process, clubs who display above average social and/or sporting usage of their facilities can more readily put together above average applications that stand out from a funding perspective. Perhaps this may involve attitudinal changes within the club, and a receptiveness to proactively encourage new user groups to use the club, whilst putting provisions in place to allow this new usage to grow. Again there are a multitude of factors that determine what a funder might consider a high quality funding bid that ultimately receives funding, and dare I even suggest a small sprinkling of luck along the way (usually comes with a persistent approach, once all these factors are in place!). We'll cover many of these factors in future posts.

What better way to kick off another #WinnerWednesday than with one dominating the social enterprise sector through sports: HR Sports Academy owned by one of our most cherished Launch Iteer, Mickela Hall-Ramsay and her brother, Christian.🙌 The success of this multi award-winning social enterprise dedicated to empowering children and young people with valuable life skills and sporting opportunities is a true testament to how hardworking, unbreakable and driven this tandem is. And that has never faltered through all the these years especially since its registration in 2010. As they grew, not only were they able to help young people but also the local community by providing jobs to residents around their area. Mickela shares: "I have always had a passion for sport and its positive effects on young people. Growing up in Tottenham I was aware of how easily young people could get caught up in the wrong crowd or just be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Sports played a massive part in keeping me safe, developing my confidence, my social skills and giving me purpose."💛 Asked what running a business allowed her to gain, Mickela said she was able to develop confidence and found fulfilment and a strong business network. "Not a lot of young people know the different opportunities out there and the support available. If you use organisations like Launch It, it can really help develop your confidence, knowledge and grow into a successful business."🚀 👉 Check out www.hrsportsacademy.co.uk to find out more about the inspiring work they do. And if you or know anyone like Mickela who has the heart and the spirit to create, innovate and change the world through enterprise, you know how to reach us. Link in bio! 💯

I applaud the sentiment and I completely agree that more people, children and adults, should be doing more exercise (myself included). But what they've said in this article isn't going to entice anyone. They write about setting the vision, improving doping and corruption, ensuring the sector is more environmentally sustainable, and continuing to support bids to host major sporting events. All important things, but nothing any kid is going to care about. In my youth, I was at my most active between the ages of about 10 and 18. I swam between 6 and 10 times per week, I played Cricket, I did 10-pin Bowling, I did pretty much any sport I could but those were my main three. Saturday's were particularly crazy. I would train in the pool from 6am to 8:30am, then I would go straight over to the Bowling club and compete in the league there, then I would go home and freshen up and then head over to the Cricket Club and spend the day playing cricket. Sometimes if I had enough gas in the tank, I would even go back to the pool in the evening from 8pm to 10pm for more training. Thursday's were pretty hectic too. I would train in the pool from 6am to 8:30am, go straight to school for the day, go home and do my homework and have some dinner, then I would go over to the Cricket Club for training in the evening. All that stuff is as accessible now as it was then (price being an issue now of course). My weeks were extreme, but there were three major factors which made it possible: 1) My desire to do it 2) My parents being absolute saints and getting me everywhere! 3) The cost of each sport being cheaper than it is now If you don't have that desire and you aren't lucky enough to have parents who are willing and able to take you everywhere, then this strategy from the Government just isn't going to work. The enjoyment of sport is fed by sporting events being accessible for all on TV, but the desire to play and make the effort is built from a young age. Doing plenty of sport at school is a massive driver for athletic ability and general activity later in life. I have spoken with friends of mine who are Teachers, and they all say that they are terrified of Health & Safety and what will happen to them if a kid gets hurt in PE, so they tend to do "safer" sports like Football. There does seem to be a "club or nothing" attitude about sport in this country, i.e. there are plenty of options to join a club, but not many options for the person who just wants to "have a go". Joining a club is a big step. A very daunting step. So I fully appreciate the need to have facilities available for those who just want to try things. Take Cricket as an example. Where can you go to just "have a net"? Grass roots investment and development for kids, and sensible costs for adults has got to be the focus. #football #grassroots #bbcsport #government #strategy https://lnkd.in/eZQZ7epd

Reflecting now on this weeks announcement from Sport England to invest £250m to support 80-100 places where activity levels are the lowest I remain hopeful but cautious. https://lnkd.in/eDYqz4D3. Although widely welcomed, spread over five years, 100 places and including supporting the existing pilots and a universal offer, it’s not a substantial investment given the high levels of deprivation and system failure in these places and certainly not a replacement for the millions lost over the last decade. But it is a start providing that these resources are used wisely to oil the wheels of permanent system change and not just used to fill holes in existing budgets. I recently wrote about the risks we share with Integrated Care Systems as we both embark on our own system change journeys. https://lnkd.in/eJ-yPcJ8. One of our key risks is that current financial pressures and old cultures will just overwhelm the desire and energy for change as people have to cope with both the existing and new systems, what we call ‘in flight’ change. My biggest fear therefore remains that the sector, being so short of funding will avoid the challenge of real change and once again simply continue doing the same things. As I was following the reactions on social media my fears soon started to be realised as a number people spoke of schemes and projects ‘just waiting to go ahead’ and then Andy Taylor CEO of Active Partnerships had to point out to Nihal Arthanayake on Five Live that the money would not necessarily be available to help solve the swimming pool crisis. Every one was talking passionately about ‘targeting’ these communities just as we have done for decades to no avail rather than talking about ‘targeting’ the system that has failed them. As Hayley Lever pointed out the scale of the potential is huge but so is the challenge. Change is always hard but if we are to finally tackle these engrained inequalities this is our best opportunity. Let’s not blow it. 

Today the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published Get Active: A Strategy for the future of sport and physical activity, which sets out the Government’s national plan for sport and physical activity.  London Sport Chief Executive, Emily Robinson, calls on the Government to commit additional investment to ensure that the ambitions set out in its strategy can be met. “We are pleased to see the Government’s new strategy outlining ambitious new targets for increased activity levels and a renewed focus on working in the places with the greatest need.   Active Partnerships like London Sport who are close to their local communities and understand what is needed to help people get moving are ideally placed to help deliver on these commitments. However, the new strategy fails to bring forward any new Government investment to tackle the challenges our sector is currently facing - brought on by the pandemic, energy crisis and the increased cost of living. Without additional support, there is a strong risk of activity levels continuing to decrease, facilities closing down, and wider long-term impacts on communities across the capital.  We therefore call on the Government to commit additional investment to ensure that the ambitions set out in this strategy can be met. By realising the immense potential of an active nation, we could generate billions of pounds of savings for the NHS, but also improving the wellbeing of thousands of communities across the country.” Read our statement here ⤵ https://bit.ly/3EkEHmy

‘Focus on Growth’ Series 2023 MWB Advisory Limited ‘Youth Team Sports & future GEN leadership lessons’ “Team sports effortlessly teach children life lessons like positively approaching setbacks, and persevering relentlessly to attain goals. However, in addition to all these benefits, perhaps the most important one is the sheer joy they provide kids everyday “ The Bailie Family have been eagerly involved in the annual Cabinteely Mini World Cup, Dublin , Ireland 🇮🇪. This tournament brings together young athletes from diverse backgrounds and skill levels, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie, competition, and sporting excellence. 1260 players, 120 teams and 440 games over 2 weeks of rare Irish sunshine! As a privileged Co-coach to Sierra Leone @ Riley Bailie. We carefully supported, encouraged and quickly built trust & confidence with 11 players who have never ever played together. The importance of team sports - especially Finnlay (15), Oliver (13) & Riley (8-Sierra Leone) is TODAY clear: Leadership While team sports teach us a lot about working in a team, they provide us with equally valuable lessons about leading one. A good leader is associated with strong communication skills and decision making abilities, a sense of self discipline and the capability to deal well with success and failure - attributes inculcated by partaking in team sports. Communication Being able to communicate effectively is perhaps the most important of all life skills. Playing team sports enables children to develop excellent communication skills, which includes communicating strategies verbally as well as non - verbally and motivating one another on and off the field. Sportsmanship “It is your response to winning and losing that makes you a loser or a winner.” Team sports teach children the crucial lessons of winning humbly and losing gracefully. Self-esteem and Confidence  When kids actively contribute to team results and see tangible outcomes of their hard work, they feel a sense of pride in not only their team’s, but also their own accomplishments. Discipline “We don't have to be smarter than the rest. We have to be more disciplined than the rest.” Discipline is a prerequisite for growth! Critical Thinking Skills Sports players need to be quick and calculative and make effective decisions in high pressure situations. A key skill in leadership. Accountability Working with team members teaches children to step up and take accountability for their mistakes and when needed, even take one for the team. Being able to accept our faults and learn from them is a fundamental step towards happiness and success. Managing Emotions The emotional joy that kids experience while engaging with their friends playing a game they love and occasionally experiencing the highs of winning is sure to have them beaming from ear to ear! Health Physical exercise is essential for everybody - kids especially! Congratulations to Team Serria Leone, Mini World Cup Champions 2023!