Connecting the widespread, global population dedicated to sport and development just got easier. Beyond Sport is a global initiative that seeks to celebrate and support any individual or organization that uses sport as a vehicle to drive positive social change. One great aspect of this organization is their Beyond Sport Awards. This Awards program provides 1 million dollars annually to projects around the world that use sport to address issues within their communities. There are 12 categories covering the entire sporting spectrum of health, social inclusion, corporate and social responsibility and philanthropy.
You can submit entries until April 16 but, the sooner the better. Those shortlisted will be brought to Chicago this fall for the Beyond Sport Summit 2010 where they will go on site visits, participate in practical workshops, receive advice in fundraising, business structuring, creative and communications strategy and much more. The Summit is an annual event that brings together the best sport-led social innovators with influential, global leaders to address sport’s role in driving positive social change. Its founder, Nick Keller feels, “there are numerous examples the world over that prove the impact that sport can have in creating positive social change in communities. The Beyond Sport Awards seek to recognize the best of these examples and, by shining a light on them and helping them become sustainable, we can drive others to follow in their path.” And with ambassadors like former Prime Minister Tony Blair, track star Michael Johnson and Senator Bill Bradley, this organization has some great support. After last year’s Summit, former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo proclaimed, “If we can get more people to follow the lead of these initiatives that we saw first-hand at the Summit then we can create real social impact across the world.”
The 2009 winner for health was an organization from India called Saving Lives Through Dance. Survivors of trafficking consider themselves to be impure and feel guilty about their bodies. Kolkata Sanved, a style of dance, helps one reclaim, open up, respect and love one’s body — a body that has suffered much abuse. Specifically, the Kolkata Sanved curriculum focuses on using dance as a vehicle for learning selected life-skills, renewing a healthy mind-body relationship, addressing psychosocial handicaps and developing new community bonds. 
The best new project was awarded to a group from Tanzania, Coaches Across Continents. Launched in June 2008, this unique face-to-face and online educational curriculum uses soccer games to educate teachers/volunteers and children on health, leadership, life and social skills. Its projects are called ‘Hat-Trick Initiatives’ and take place over three years. They include teacher training, funding for a coaching exchange and then equipment is provided in year three. Ongoing mentoring ensures that all communities involved have support both throughout the Hat-Trick Initiative and in the years to follow, thus facilitating sustainability.
Project Alcatraz from Venezuela won the Sport for Social Inclusion Award. Their mission is to peacefully eradicate crime and transform violent leadership of youth offenders into virtuous leadership. They recruit gangs (not gang members) rehabilitate them and after a 2-year program, reinsert them into society. Under their zero crime motto, members of the Project participate in programs that combine rugby training, community service, civil values education, vocational training and psychological assistance.
These are just few of the amazing organizations that have participated in the Beyond Sport Awards. To learn more, visit their website.
Photos courtesy of Beyond Sport.