One of the most important elements of sport is its use to reach beyond traditional methods of social good and create a better society for us all.
Beyond Sport is an organisation dedicated to the recognition and development of ideas that do just that and they have published a list of 37 such programmes and organisations as part of the shortlist for the annual Beyond Sport Global Awards taking place in New York at the end of July.
Nominations were received from 70 different countries and while there are no Irish specific campaigns on this years shortlist, there is still much we can learn from what is being done.
The 37 shortlisted organizations highlight a diverse portfolio of work, from organizations raising awareness of endangered marine habitats through sailing with fishermen in Vietnam; to the use of triathlon in empowering adolescent girls in Long Island; to a ground-breaking digital media training program which uses football to provide underserved youth with the skills, support and a public platform to make their voices heard. This year’s shortlist represents issues such as: health, gender, STEM education, equality, climate change, accessibility and inclusion, tech and employability.
BEYOND SPORT GLOBAL AWARDS OFFICIAL SHORTLIST 2017
Sport for Health and Well-being
- Let Her Choose – Tackle Africa Tanzania
- Imagine Your Goals – Everton in the Community Global
- i-tri: Transformation through Triathlon – i-tri Girls USA
Sport for Quality Education and Employment Award
- Alive and Kicking Kenya, Ghana, Zambia
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst Foundation Netherlands
- Refugee Girls and Innovation – YALLA USA
Sport for Equality Award
- Rurka Kalan – YFC Rurka Kalan India
- Sainsburys Inclusive PE Training (IPE) Programme – English Federation of Disability Sport UK
- Colourful Girls Volleyball Circles – Girls Determined Burma
- Hockey is for Everyone – NHL USA and Canada
Sport for Peace and Social Justice Award
- Football for Peace and Reconciliation – streetfootballworld Colombia
- Mi Vida es un Diamante – MVD (My Life is a Diamond) – Grupo Internacional de Paz Colombia and Mexico
- Playing for Peace Stopping the Violence and Bridging the Gang Divide on the Streets of Chicago – New Life Centers of Chicagoland USA
- Honor Award – Value Sports Israel
Sport for Sustainable Cities & Communities Award
- Safe Spaces – love.futbol Global
- Northeast Kids – Hutt City Council New Zealand
- Etnoglia. Open football – Open City – Fundacja dal Wolnosci Poland
- Regent Park Athletic Grounds – MLSE Foundation USA
Best Corporate Campaign or Initiative in Sport for Good
- MLSE Foundation – MLSE Launchpad Toronto, Canada
- Unilever – Connected by the City Brazil
- Chevron – Inspiring future innovators through STEM and sports USA
Global Impact of the Year Award
- Skateistan Asia, Africa
- Women Win – Advancing the Playing Field for Gender Equity Africa, Asia, N America, S America
- Coaches Across Continents – Global Impact on Six Continents
Best Partnership or Collaboration
- Aspire to be Deadly, Empower Me – Cairns Hockey Association Australia
- National Alliance of Sport for the Desistance of Crime (NASDC) – 2nd Chance Group Global
- Pass It Back – ChildFund Australia Asia
- Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka #bicycleschangelives – Qhubeka Global
Sport for Innovation and Tech Award
- NBA and Discovery Education Team Up for a Math Slam Dunk! USA
- FBB TV: Youth Voices – Football Beyond Borders UK
- Station Soccer – Soccer in the Streets Atlanta, USA
Sport for Climate Action
- Protect Our Winters Global
- Sacramento Kings, Golden 1 Center USA
- Vietnamese Fishermen coach water-sports and climate change survival skill – MANTA Sail Training Centre Vietnam
UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award
- Pass It Back – ChildFund Australia Laos, Philippines and Vietnam
- SafeStamp – Caribbean Sport and Development Agency Caribbean
- Pacific Sports Partnerships Pacific Islands and Australia
