Tag Archives: Leadership Development

by | April 30, 2013 · 1:30 pm

An Update From the Laureus YES Programme

The 9 PPI-SA coaches at this year's Laureus YES Programme

The 9 PPI-SA coaches at this year’s Laureus YES Programme

A few weeks ago, we proudly announced that 9 of our PPI-SA coaches had been selected to take part in the Laureus Youth Empowerment through Sport (YES) Programme. Our coaches have just returned from the first leg of their training, a 10-day retreat to Shongweni Dam just outside of Durban. While we are busy gathering feedback and stories from our coaches, please enjoy this blog written by PPI-SA coach Andile Msomi after day 5 of the training. Andile participated in the YES pilot programme last year and was asked to return this year to help the first-year participants along:

It is almost the end of day five of the Laureus YES program at Shongweni Dam Spirit of Adventure. This place is a constant reminder that the “earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair”. I couldn’t be anywhere else but here. I adore everything about this place; the people, the air, the mountains, the trees; it just makes me think, wow… this is what it is to be happy.

The breathtaking scenery at Shongweni Dam

The YES Leaders 2013 have been consistently working hard, pulling a sweat every day. Every day is presented with a variety of a combination of accredited and non accredited activities that brings out the best in everyone in so many different levels; The leaders shared that, when they partake in these activities their “confidence is challenged, they are put under pressure, it’s an emotional rollercoaster, it’s beautiful, enlightening, and adventurous’’. They added that “nothing is impossible”. Therefore, a lot of emotions are being shaken, catered for, provoked and tested. However, all of this is “crazy fun”!

Today was filled with exhilarating activities. In the morning there were seminars where people presented on anything and everything. The presentations were amazing; you could tell that people put effort into it even when presenting is not everyone’s

Zebras are spotted just outside the camp.

Zebras are spotted just outside the camp.

strongest attribute. This goes to show that continuous effort, not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking one’s potential. It was an honor sitting through the presentations and hearing people presenting about things that affects them spiritually and emotionally, positively and negatively. To mention a few topics, “21st century youth vs. the olden day youth”, “personal inner drive”, “love” etc. They were real. Two big events that took place today were abseiling and jumping down the dam wall that is 7 meters (23 ft.) high. A lot of emotions and feelings were apparently floating in the air. Some felt thrilled, it was a breakthrough for some, and some were threatened, a victory for some, and others were phobic and afraid. And for me, it was a reminder that water has the power to take lives. I respect nature and its course, I admire its peacefulness, and I recognize its presence because it is just too beautiful and truthful to be missed. But mostly, I envy its power and abilities.

One of the many activities at the YES training

Privileged, blessed and lucky would understate the feelings I have towards the discovery of the Laureus YES program. The program continuously turns the leaves of hope and faith for me. It just humbles me to be given an opportunity to be part of this program that equips me with the skills to be a better person, to be resilient in life, to accept myself and the world around me, to lead and follow when needed, to learn, face my fears, explore and to be around people that seeks to better themselves and the people around them. YES is home away from home, it’s my shoulder to lean on, it’s my breakthrough, it’s a ladder towards my sunny days. Moreover, it’s a reminder that wherever I go, no matter the weather, I should always try to bring my own sunshine.

The leaders this year are great beyond words, I have learnt so much from them in the past 5 days and excited to learn some more for the rest of the journey. I am thankful to Laureus for continuously giving the opportunities to learn and be surrounded by such amazing souls.
Love,
Andile
p.s. just remember that when it is dark enough, you can see the stars

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by | April 26, 2013 · 1:46 pm

PeacePlayers Leadership Development Retreat at Kantara Camp!

PeacePlayers-Cyprus team bike ride to the Kantara Castle built in the 10th century

PeacePlayers-Cyprus team bike ride to the Kantara Castle built in the 10th century

“Play for peace, respect each other” answered one of our PeacePlayers Leadership Development participants when we asked her what PPI-Cyprus means to her. This past weekend 31 PeacePlayers boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 17, spent 3 days and 2 nights at our semi-annual leadership retreat. Friday afternoon the buses picked up the kids and brought them to the checkpoint in Nicosia, but this time was different than all of our previous weekend retreats. Instead of the Turkish Cypriot youth crossing through the checkpoints into the south, it was the young Greek Cypriots turn to now cross to their friends’ side in the north for a long weekend. While to an outsider this may seem like just another weekend camp, to those of us within the PeacePlayers-Cyprus family we understand the depths of meaning behind this moment. The staff and the board at PPI-CY has been making an effort to balance out the number of events that we hold in the two communities and give our players the opportunities to feel comfortable visiting the rest of their island.

PPI-Cy LDP participants go bug catching in the forest as part of the weekend's environmental education sessions

PPI-CY LDP participants go bug catching in the forest as part of the weekend’s environmental education sessions

Kantara camp is nestled in the mountains that stretch out towards the Karpaz Peninsula on the northeastern stretches of the island. Three outdoor basketball courts surrounded by small bunkhouses in the forested mountain range made for an ideal setting for our weekend retreat. Respect was the buzz word for the weekend as we explored the essences of respecting one another, respecting ourselves and respecting the environment. Nick Symmons, from The Cyprus Environmental Studies Centre led sessions in the classroom and in the forest focusing on bio-diversity and environmental awareness.

The retreat also served as a bonding, teambuilding weekend for our PeacePlayers boys team who left Tuesday for their week long trip to Norway to play in the Hansa Cup. They arrived Tuesday evening in Oslo and took a ferry up to Nessodden where they are currently living with host families, visiting the local high school and playing friendly matches with the local team, who happen to also be their host brothers. Check out the video that aired on national TV in Norway: http://nrksuper.no/super/supernytt/2013/04/25/spiller-for-fred/

Please follow along on our Facebook page for daily updates from the team!

PPI-Cyprus boys team plays a friendly scrimmage match with their host brothers from the Nesodden boys team in Norway

PPI-Cyprus boys team plays a friendly scrimmage match with their host brothers from the Nesodden boys team in Norway

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by | March 28, 2013 · 2:28 pm

LDP Boys pull off close win against the Jerusalem School

LDP team watching intently as the coach draws up a play

LDP team watching intently as the coach draws up a play

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) Boys team played a suspenseful, exciting game this past Tuesday against the Jerusalem School boy’s team. From the very beginning the game was tight as there were several lead changes throughout the entire match. The team held a 7-point lead at half time but the Jerusalem boys never quit and the game was tied up again half way through the fourth quarter. It was an intense battle throughout the game but the LDP boys fought hard and played together to pull out a 50-43 victory in the end.

LDP boys are exposed to a wide variety of activities throughout the year as they practice together weekly and participate in numerous Arbinger sessions and creative workshops.

The game getting intense in the final quarter!

The game getting intense in the final quarter!

However, many of the LDP participant’s favorite activity is when they have the opportunity to test the skills they have been practicing on and off the court in a real game. LDP member Bashar commented,

“We really enjoy playing in games and we are improving every day. I hope we keep getting better and better as we get more experienced and continue to play together.”

The team has pulled out wins in several of their last few games. This is a direct result of how remarkably well the boys play together due to all the time they have spent getting to know one another. Not only does this include long hours practicing

LDP participant Laith getting ready for the game

LDP participant Laith getting ready for the game

but also time spent learning how to play as one and better understanding each other on and off the court without a second thought to race or religion.  Anyone in the crowd watching the game on Tuesday would never know how much these kids have overcome by playing together which is perhaps the most extraordinary part of it all.

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by | March 7, 2013 · 3:30 pm

PPI – Middle East conquers Stop Motion Photography!

LDP participants hard at work creating their own Stop Motion photography movies

LDP participants hard at work creating their own Stop Motion movies

PeacePlayers – Middle East promotes social change through sport, but ups its game through creative activities that emphasize team building as well. The boys Leadership Development Program (LDP) team was given the opportunity to participate in a Stop Motion Photography workshop. Stop Motion is a technique in which individual pictures are manipulated to create the illusion of movement. To kick off the event, Mickey, the workshop leader, showed a video of his own that he created using this technique, and then got the boys started on creating their own.

After the initial presentation, the participants were split into groups, and they jumped right in, picking out props and discussing different ideas for what kind of movie they wanted to create.

The group learning listening and learning from Mickey, the workshop leader

The group listening and learning from Mickey, the workshop leader

Each group consisted of three people, with the roles of photographer, actor and director divided amongst them. LDP participant Laith commented, “I had so much fun creating these movies with the other members of the LDP team, and it was really cool to be able to do a different type of activity with the PeacePlayers group.”

It was incredible to see how well the boys worked together as a result of the infinite number of hours they have spent with each other playing basketball, learning about Arbinger curriculum and developing unbreakable bonds.  Over the past several years these boys have not only been able to work together seamlessly but also have grown to develop life long friendships despite where they are from or what religion they practice.

LDP participants having a blast while in the process of making their movies!

LDP participants having a blast making movies!

Each group listened to each other’s ideas and joined them together to make entertaining and creative videos using a technique they had only just learned about moments before.  This is one of many examples that demonstrates the success these kids have come to expect as long time members of PeacePlayers.

 

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by | January 30, 2013 · 2:13 pm

PPI-NI Completes “Promoting Diversity Through Sport” Residential

Despite the weather, ten part-time and full-time PPI-NI staff members get ready for some outdoor activities at a recent residential.

Despite the weather, ten part-time and full-time PPI-NI staff members get ready for some outdoor activities at a recent residential.

“Leadership development” and “enhancing local capacity.” They are two phrases we use a lot around here at PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI). Why, though? And as we cut through the office-speak, what do they even mean?

Even as an international organization, we want to make sure we devote enough effort and investment to the local. In the process of peace-building through sport, it is important that we don’t hoard our knowledge, skills, and other resources. For the sake of both PeacePlayers and the world, we want others who may not work for us full-time to still become the kinds of leaders that will make Belfast and beyond a more peaceable world.

PPI-NI sessional coach Carlos Alvarez showcases his basketball tricks.

PPI-NI sessional coach Carlos Alvarez showcases his basketball tricks.

It was with those hopes in mind that ten of us–a combination of full-time, part-time, and future PeacePlayers staff members–drove an hour south to Newcastle for the past weekend. Staying in a cabin on a hill in the woods that overlooked the beautiful ocean shoreline, we worked our way through Open College Network Level 2 material: “Promoting Diversity Through Sport.”

In addition to the natural intimacy that develops as a result of such a setting, the course included conversations about material that we confront with program participants all the time: diversity, stereotypes, prejudice, sectarianism, and conflict, all as much as possible through the lens of sport. We role-played our way through several activities and games that we use with kids. For a mental break and a bit of team-building, we attacked some outdoor activities–wall-climbing and zip-lining–even in the steady rain. And on Sunday, we drove to a basketball court, where we participated in drills that introduced Arbinger concepts, which is a theory about conflict resolution that we try to integrate into our programming.

We return to Belfast with even more confidence in several new members of our team, which will surely benefit the kids with which we work.

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by | · 12:30 am

PPI-SA Coaches Get Hands-On Training

PPI-SA coaching applicants got a chance to show of their coaching skills last week.

PPI-SA coaching applicants got a chance to show of their coaching skills last week.

It’s been a long holiday break for PPI-SA, but now that schools are back in session it’s time to get the ball rolling on the 2013 PPI program.  Over the break we came to the realization that, no matter how big our plans, hopes, and desires are for our organization, everything starts with the quality of our coaches. After all, they are the ones working directly with the kids and delivering the program we have developed. Quality coaching is the product of two key ingredients: quality people and quality training. It is our job to ensure not only that we hire the right people, but that we give those people the tools they need to bring out the change we hope to see in our participants.

This year, PPI-SA went through its most extensive process to date to ensure we have hired the right people to coach our participants. Applicants were required to submit a C.V. (resumé) and come in for a formal interview. Then, we took the entire field of applicants to the courts where they took part in basketball drills and games to show off their knowledge and command of the sport, as well as other traits such as work ethic and coachability. The following day, everyone was invited back to courts where they were each given 10 minutes to facilitate a basketball drill to the rest of the applicants. This gave us an idea of who has the teaching, facilitation, and speaking skills necessary to effectively deliver our program content.

PPI-SA's Ntobeko Ngcamu leads a team building exercise during training.

PPI-SA’s Ntobeko Ngcamu leads a team building exercise during training.

After the weekend, those coaches who we felt had the skills and traits we were looking for were invited back to go through hands-on training of our brand new 2013 program manual. Over two days, the coaches played the role of program participants as PPI-SA office staff put them through all of the life skills activities and basketball drills that they will need to know for the upcoming term. Through this process, coaches learned the correct way to administer the drills and activities, find and address teachable moments, and facilitate discussion to extract key points and messages.

There were many old faces at the training who we know and trust to be good coaches, and they did not disappoint. But even more exciting were the several new faces who showed great potential as coaches and leaders and will hopefully form the foundation for the next generation of PPI-SA coaches.

Going forward, PPI-SA is committed to quality over quantity, even if that means temporarily shrinking the number of schools we work with while we strive to find the RIGHT people to coach at those schools. It also means giving our better coaches the opportunity to work at multiple schools, where their value can reach a greater number of kids. 2013 is the year for PPI-SA to put its best foot forward and set the standard for how we want to present ourselves to the communities in which we work. The results of this year’s hiring, interview, and training process has everyone excited that our 2013 vision is off to a promising start.

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by | January 10, 2013 · 6:54 pm

Two PeacePlayers Standouts: Aysha and Manal

Manal participating in some fun one on one activities

Manal participating in some fun one on one activities

This week’s blog was written by PPI International Fellow Jamie Walsh.

Although it has been less than a month and a half since my arrival in the Middle East, I find myself becoming increasingly attached to many of the people I’m meeting here. I have spent much of my time trying to become more comfortable with my completely new (for me) surroundings and getting to know the staff and participants, and I’m finding out that the most amazing part of PPI – ME is the people who are involved in this program. Two teenage Palestinian girls in particular have truly inspired me since the first day that I met them.

Aysha (left) and Manal participating in some team building exercises at the Professional Development Retreat.

Aysha (left) and Manal participating in some team building exercises at the Professional Development Retreat.

Aysha Faqih and Manal Khader, both from East Jerusalem, have each been involved with PeacePlayers for many years, and are currently in the Leadership Development Program and play on the top Jerusalem All-Stars league team. In addition to being participants, they are also coaches themselves as they have learned important traits and characteristics of leadership throughout their time in the LDP program. They help coach many of the younger teams and always show up to each practice with positive and enthusiastic attitudes.

They have been a tremendous help to me personally when I have been dealing with the newness of my role here, and they are always coming up with fresh ideas to improve the program. Plus, they are always available to translate, which is often needed and extremely appreciated.

“PeacePlayers has given me the opportunity to meet more people, people from the other side. It has taught me how to see people as people and treat them in a good way while of course making me a better basketball player as well.” - Aysha, PPI – ME Young Leader

As an example of their value to the program and to me personally, PeacePlayers just began a women’s team made up of parents of Jewish and Arab children involved in the program. The women come together once a week to have some fun staying active and participating in some basketball activities themselves. Aysha and Manal have been instrumental in intertwining basketball and other fitness drills to make sure everyone has a great time. They arrive early to every meeting and truly inspire me to be better at what I’m doing when I work with them.

“PeacePlayers has changed my life. It has taught us how to play basketball, empowered me as a woman and gave me the opportunity to meet Jews and not be afraid of them. It has taken us to new places that without PeacePlayers we wouldn’t have the chance to go and it has made me a better person.” - Manal, PPI – ME Young Leader

Despite any political turmoil they have experienced in their lives, they are always positive and I have a great deal of admiration for both of them. I look forward to continuing working with them and the rest of our young leaders in PPI – ME.

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by | November 16, 2012 · 8:17 pm

Vito’s Visit to Cyprus

Kiti boys team after their court session with Vito

In a tavern just 100 meters from Cyprus’ buffer zone, one American, one Greek, one Greek-Cypriot, one Turkish-Cypriot and one Israeli Croatian sat around a table.  What unites the 5 of us from such different backgrounds? We are all members of PeacePlayers’ global family of coaches, directors, volunteers and fellows. This week PPI – CY had the honor of welcoming a new member of the family from PeacePlayers International – Middle East, Vito Gilic. Vito made the trip from Israel to Cyprus to join us for our youth leadership development weekend and combined coaches training.

Vito is a coaching expert with a knack for working with youth. Vito has led the youth program for Macabi Tel Aviv, the girls Israeli National Team, the Women’s Croatian National Team, and for the past 5 years he has been with PPI – ME as the Director of Basketball Operations. Vito not only understands the game in a deep and intricate manner, he also truly represents the values, qualities and coaching philosophies that set PeacePlayers apart from other basketball organizations. Over the next 3 days our goal is to gain as much knowledge and insight from him and to better understand the methods that have allowed him to be such a successful basketball coach.

Vito directing the boys in a ball-handeling drill

To learn as much as possible in a short amount of time we created a very full schedule.  Shortly after landing in Cyprus on Thursday, Vito joined PPI – CY’s Program Coordinator, Thanasis, at a practice in Larnaca, a Greek-Cypriot town in southern Cyprus. Friday morning Vito toured the Turkish-Cypriot northern part of the island where he directed a practice with one of our longest running sites in Iskele.  On Saturday morning we will be leaving bright and early for the mountains where we will be holding our leadership development and coaches retreat.  This is where the real learning will begin for our players and coaches, as we will have 4.5 hours of court time with Vito  running the show.

Having another member of PPI family here with us in Cyprus is motivating and encouraging to our players and our coaches.  His visit reminds us that we are part of a global family all working under a common vision and goal of inspiring and uniting youth through the game we love.

Check out next week’s blog for an update from the leadership development and coaches retreat!

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by | October 31, 2012 · 1:21 pm

Leadership Development Works at PPI-NI

The future leaders of PPI-NI

As October 2012 draws to a close, PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) can be assured of this much: our Leadership Development Program changes future realities for our kids.

The idea is that our programs should at least have the potential to run seamlessly into each other. From P6 twinning to P7 with the same set of pupils. From primary school twinnings into cross-community leagues in community centers across the city or maybe into OCN courses at a residential facility. From those programs maybe into our part-time coaching program and if the situation is right, maybe even employment on the local staff. It’s pretty ambitious.

And yet, the evidence all around us tells us that it works. In this past month alone, Tony McGaharan–a local and former coach in our program–took on a full-time role as Senior Project Coordinator.

Shortly after, Mary Braniff chose to complete her school’s required work placement with us at PPI-NI. We’ve known her for many years, first as a pupil at Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School and then again as a participant in our OCN course and as a volunteer coach. It’s pretty powerful to go that far into knowing and working with a person, and glimpsing, with excitement, who that person is becoming at least in part because of our programming.

But it takes a lot of work to get there. A couple weekends ago we spent a weekend with several kids from 174 Trust. The residential culminated a five-week diversity-through-sport program. We did not know most of the kids at the start of the program, and so it was frustratingly difficult to find enough common ground for a conversation. But by the end of the residential, after spending basically 48 uninterrupted hours together, there we were, talking seriously about discrimination, Protestants and Catholics, what it’s like to get confronted by a police offer at a parade, and even the different ways people get treated based on sexual orientation. It felt like a beginning. On the bus ride home, one of the excited kids asked Leadership Development Program Coordinator Darryl Petticrew, “When are we going to have another residential?”

There is much work left to do, but seeing these glimpses makes it that much easier to go to work that next day.

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by | September 20, 2012 · 7:22 pm

Seeing each other as people…. with masks on

The mask workshop requires physical closeness and trust between Palestinian and Israeli participants

LDP-er Juman (right) shows a younger PeacePlayers the right moves on the basketball court

This past weekend, PPI – ME returned to Kibbutz Sdot Yam for another in a long line of retreats that we’ve been holding to kick off the year. First there was the Jerusalem All-Stars excursion to Eilat last month, and the Professional Development Retreat for coaches took place a week after that. This time around it was the Peace Education Retreat for kids from East and West Jerusalem and the surrounding area. More than 50 kids ages 12-14 as well as Leadership Development Program (LDP) kids 15 and up were in attendance. In addition to playing basketball, the younger kids, many of whom are totally new to PPI, got an intensive intro to the Peace Education curriculum, which teaches kids to see each other as people on the basketball court and off. The workshop was led by new on-staff facilitators Nissreen and Renana, who led the session in two groups, one in Hebrew and one in Arabic, to maximize the younger children’s comprehension and ability to actively participate. LDP, who are already well versed in the curriculum, are putting a greater emphasis on gaining the tools to lead the curriculum.

On-staff facilitator Renana leads younger and newer participants in an Anatomy of Peace workshop

As an extra treat, PPI – ME Project Manager and facilitator Nissreen (who is also an artist) led a creative workshop that delves into the notion of cooperation and trust that are at the core of our program. For the activity, Palestinian and Israeli youth were split up into mixed pairs. Each member of every pair was charged with the task of applying plaster masks to his or her partner’s face. As Nissreen explains, the workshop offers an opportunity for intense cooperation, trust and communication. “Plaster, when not applied correctly with the right amount of Vaseline can stick to a person’s skin. Each member of the pair had to trust that the other person was taking the care to apply the mask the right way.” Nissreen also added that “the physical interaction make them feel comfortable with one another. Having contact with each other’s faces, which is very intimate, creates a sense of closeness and creates a positive feeling.” Workshops like these complement the impact of basketball, which works the body, and the curriculum, which works the mind, by creating a casual and fun way to build closeness.

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