Tag Archives: sports

by | May 17, 2013 · 2:18 pm

PeacePlayers-Cyprus takes the court with The Harlem Globetrotters!

The Harlem Globetrotters present a donation of 25,000Krones (3,300euro) to PeacePlayers-Cyprus!

The Harlem Globetrotters present a donation of 25,000 Krones to PeacePlayers-Cyprus!

It never hurts to dream big, right? That’s what the community of Nesodden were thinking when they contacted the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, requesting a visit to their quiet community in Norway. In Nesodden, the game of basketball was already breaking down barriers as PeacePlayers-Cyprus’  basketball team of Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot boys were playing for the Hasna Cup, the first time ever that children from the divided island had the chance to compete together in an international competition.

Look out below!

It was our kids’ dream to play with the Globetrotters

But when a response came from the Globetrotters, the coaches’ and the community’s dream became reality.  The Globetrotters agreed to fly five of their players all the way to Nesodden for a community wide show (little did we know that the entire show was to going to be dedicated to the youth of PeacePlayers).

Friday evening came and people from all over the village showed up for the event. Goril, our teams’ amazing local host, said, “I think the experience was incredibly special.”  If seeing and playing alongside the Harlem Globetrotters wasn’t surreal enough for our PeacePlayers’ team, the real surprise came at the end of the evening. As the Globetrotters’ show came to an end, they called our boys to the court, this time to present a check for 25,000 Krones (about 3,300 euro)!  The surprise donation was raised through tickets sales and a bake sale that was hosted during the game.

What an unbelievable and unexpected gift from our new friends in Nesodden.  They will forever be a part of PeacePlayers-Cyprus and we look forward to the day that we can welcome them to our home here on the island of Cyprus.

A globetrotter

Orhan, from PeacePlayers-Cyprus, tests his defense against Fatima “TNT” Maddox

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by | February 21, 2013 · 5:41 pm

Jerusalem All-Stars: Mid-Season Update

"We were not able to take our dynamic as a team for granted, and what came out of it was more solid because of the challenges we had at first."

The Jerusalem All-Stars shocked fellow league participants and fans by finishing the 2012 season in second place, showing everyone what is possible when you cooperate as a team.  (photo: Fran Meckler)

In 2010, the Jerusalem All-Stars, a team made up of both Arab and Jewish elite girl basketball players, ages 12 to 17, began competing in Israel’s National Youth League, the highest level of youth basketball in the country. It marked the first time ever that integrated teams emerged from East and West Jerusalem (Arab and Jewish communities, respectfully) and the first time ever that girls from East Jerusalem had the opportunity to participate in the league. Two years later, the Jerusalem All-Stars are a permanent presence in the league, and a force to be reckoned with. The Jerusalem All-Stars are now on a mid-season break until the beginning of March. What better time to catch up with them and see how the season has been going? For the three teams, the season has been a series of successes both on the court and off. Read on to see how the under 14, under 16 and under 18 All-Stars are doing.

Under 14

The youngest All-Star team has finished the first half of the season with zero defeats. Go girls!

Under 16

The Under 16 team is poised to take the regional championship.

The Under 16 team is poised to take the regional championship.

The Under 16 All-Stars have only lost one game so far this season, and are poised to finish the season in first place, which would catapult them to a higher division next season. Through their victories in basketball, the All-Star teams are showing that Palestinians and Israelis can be a winning combination. These girls are not just successes on the court, however; their team identity continues to be forged off the court as well. One recent example of this is the “coexistence sleepover” that took place earlier this month at a team member’s home. It is virtually unheard of in the Israeli-Palestinian context for kids from one group to visit the home of a peer from the other group, let alone for a sleepover party! But for these girls, it is all a normal part of being together on the same team, and normal is certainly something we could use a little more of in these parts.

“We were not able to take our dynamic as a team for granted, and what came out of it was more solid because of the challenges we had at first.” – Jerusalem All-Star Player

Under 18

This month's pot-luck dinner gave Palestinian and Israeli girls the chance to taste each other's cuisines.

This month’s pot-luck dinner gave Palestinian and Israeli girls the chance to taste each other’s cuisines.

The Under 18 All-Stars is the most competitive team of the three, competing in the national league, which includes all of the top players from around the country. They are in the top half of the league roster, having won the majority of games they have played. The team got off to a slow start, as it took some team members – those who had never met girls from the other side before – time to adjust to playing on a mixed team. One such player looked back at the beginning of the season and observed, “In the end it made us a better team because we were forced to learn how to work together. We were not able to take our dynamic as a team for granted, and what came out of it was more solid because of the challenges we had at first.” One example of how far the team has come socially is a recent pot-luck dinner that was held earlier this month at one team member’s house. Everyone brought tasty treats from home, which also gave Palestinian and Israeli girls the chance to taste each other’s cuisines.

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by | January 23, 2013 · 4:16 pm

Empowering Girls through Sport

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Jacqui Oatley, Nicola Adams and Sarah Stevenson, each empowering girls to participate in Sport.

Last week, PeacePlayers International (PPI-NI) International Fellow Megan Lynch and Project Coordinator Joanne Fitzpatrick attended the Emerging Leaders in Girls’ Sport Workshop in Coventry, England. In this blog, Joanne shares her time at the event and her experience of engaging girls in sport in Northern Ireland.

Project Coordinator, Joanne Fitzpatrick, with some of the senior female PPI-NI participants at Stormont.

Project Coordinator, Joanne Fitzpatrick, with some of the senior female PPI-NI participants at Stormont.

After Megan and I made our way across the Irish Sea to Coventry, we were very excited to meet the staff from WomenWin and Us Girls, the hosts of the Emerging Leaders in Girl’s Sport workshop. We were given a brief introduction to both organizations and the work that they do. Both organizations, in different ways, engage girls and young women from disadvantaged areas by using sport.

We were privileged enough to meet two female Olympic athletes: three-time-taekwondo-world champion, Sarah Stevenson and Olympic gold medal boxer, Nicola Adams. We also met the first female soccer commentator in the UK, Jacqui Oatley. Each guest gave their experience as females in sport and troubles they faced growing up in a male-orientated sporting world. As a group we then discussed the troubles that each organization faces in recruiting girls into their programmes, particularly in the 14-17 year old age range. The main area of concern was the stereotypes and prejudices that girls face when joining a sport. ‘Will I be judged by my friends?’ ‘Is it cool to play sport?’ This is something that all female athletes and coaches can help to tackle.

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Project Coordinator, Joanne Fitzpatrick, with some of the senior girl cross-community-league participants.

Like some of the other organizations represented, we use sport here at PPI-NI to bridge divides, develop leaders, and change perceptions. There is no end to the perceptions we have the capability of changing. Here’s one: it IS cool for girls to play sports!

Check out this video to see how our senior girls (ages 14-17) from the cross-community league made it look easy.

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by | November 28, 2012 · 1:34 pm

Thanksgiving 2012: Thankful for the Fellows

This week, Senior Project Coordinator Tony McGaharan reflects on his cultural exchange with International Fellows in the PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) program: 

PPI-NI has evolved significantly since it started way back in 2002. At the outset, we operated under the assumption that bringing children together through sport would strengthen the fledgling peace established through the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. There was much work to be done and we were eager to hit the ground running.

However, as we went along we realized the importance of addressing and valuing diversity to our goals. Today, we have a curriculum that covers topics such as identity, respect for others, and diversity.  We share the common understanding that diversity and the traditions that make up our identity are important. In fact, traditions often are the source of our fondest memories of family and friends.

PPI-NI team plus guests at Thanksgiving 2012.

While many things have changed since we first started in Northern Ireland, one thing that has remained constant is the much-appreciated time and commitment from our American Fellows. These young Americans, many of whom are recent college graduates and young professionals, pack up for cloudy Northern Ireland to bring their skills, passion, and energy to our organization.

Throughout my time with PPI-NI, the Fellows I have met have displayed a variety of interests, experiences, and beliefs. However, I think it is fair to say there were at least two things that all of these Americans had in common and cared deeply about:

1)   Bringing young people together from both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland through sport, and,

2)   Thanksgiving dinner!

Two of my favorite memories of working with the PPI-NI team are centered around the latter. In 2006, the PPI-NI team gathered together for some authentic American casserole dishes and a giant turkey in celebration of a wonderful American tradition: Thanksgiving. I remember sharing laughs with former International Fellows Jenny Callan, Ryan Douwie, Amy Nolan, Kelly Lyons and talking hoops with Noam Fishman, RaMell Ross, and Adam Dickman.

L-R: Tony McGaharan, Ryan Douwie, Noam Fishman, Craig Lustman, Adam Dickman, RaMell Ross, Jenny Callan, Mickey Campbell

Last week, the PPI-NI team celebrated this honored tradition yet again. Our current Fellow, Megan Lynch, coordinated the meal with everyone else contributing his or her favorite dish. At the start of the meal, we each shared what we were most thankful for including the meal, each other and the work we do. After the first response, someone said instinctively “let’s give him two claps” which produced a few grins and laughter as everyone followed suit.

As PPI-NI continues to grow and change we remain grateful to our American family: the headquarters in D.C. and our Fellows who join us in the field. We are so thankful to have Megan and Chris Schumerth here with us in Northern Ireland and not just because they make a tasty turkey dinner (although that certainly helps!).

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by | January 31, 2011 · 3:09 pm

Coming Up: The Laureus World Sports Awards

Today on From the Field, we wanted to highlight efforts of one of our partners, the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation, which is preparing to host the Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi.

The Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony, taking place this year at Emirates Palace, is “the premier global sports awards honoring the greatest sportsmen and women across all sports each year.”

Sean (left) and Brendan Tuohey at the Laureus World Sports Award in 2008.

As always, PPI will be paying particular attention to who brings home the Laureus Sport for Good Award, honoring individuals whose contributions go beyond sport to make the world a better place. PPI Co-Founders Brendan and Sean Tuohey were proud to win the Award in 2008. Last year’s recipient was future NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, whose efforts to use basketball to serve his homeland in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have always been an inspiration to PPI. Other recipients include Luke Dowdney of Fight for Peace, Jürgen Griesbeck of streetfootballworld and Gerry Storey of the Holy Family Gym in Belfast.

This year’s Awards Ceremony comes on the heels of recognition awarded to two friends of PPI within the Laureus World Academy (the group of athletes that lead Laureus’ efforts) as Edwin Moses and Nawal El Moutawakel recently received “World Fair Play Awards” from the International Committee for Fair Play. Ms. El Moutawakel visited PPI – South Africa earlier this year, while Edwin Moses visited PPI – Middle East in 2008. (See video below.)

The Laureus World Sports Awards will take place on Monday, February 7th, and PPI will be watching closely  to see who brings home the awards this year, as Laureus once again celebrates the achievements and contributions of the best in sport.

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by | November 10, 2010 · 1:34 pm

Darryl and the Leadership Development Program

A couple weeks ago, PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) offered a glimpse at the documentary currently being filmed and produced by former PPI-NI Program Director Will Maloney. The as-yet-untitled documentary chronicles the experiences of four PPI-NI participants at various stages of their involvement with the organization. Last installment, we featured Ronny, a ten-year-old participant from Carr’s Glen Primary School in North Belfast.

This week, we are pleased to introduce you to Darryl Petticrew, our Leadership Development Program Coordinator. Born and raised in Belfast, Darryl (or “Dazz,” as he is affectionately known) provides the PPI-NI office with his perspectives as both a Belfast native and a sports studies expert. Watch the video below to learn more about Darryl and his facilitation of the Leadership Development Program’s upcoming weekend residential workshop.


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by | October 11, 2010 · 12:54 pm

PeacePlayers International Delivers

Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about what PeacePlayers International is making possible around the world.

We know. You love PeacePlayers International and the work that we do. You’re inspired when you read about our emerging young leaders and devoted coaches. Our success stories, like the new Jerusalem All Stars initiative, get you fired up and ready to spend the day making a difference.

But you’re busy. Especially now that the basketball season’s getting started. You love PeacePlayers International, but you can’t realistically make your way over here to FTF every day, and as a result you might be missing some of the great stories we’ve got about how basketball is making a difference in conflict-afflicted communities.

We know. That’s why we’ve got a regular e-newsletter, released about once each month, that will deliver the best of From the Field right to your inbox.

Click here to join.

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by | August 11, 2010 · 1:35 pm

PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland Completes OCN Training

Through its work with the OCN, PPI-NI is training its staff, participants and outside partners on how to combine sports and community relations.

PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland’s (PPI-NI) staff and local coaches have completed a self-designed Level III Open College Network course, Developing Integrated Sports Clubs. Tony Macaulay of Macaulay Associates Network served as the course’s moderator, facilitating each session and evaluating each participant’s final report.

Along with PPI-NI staff members and coaches, representatives from the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the Irish Football Association (IFA), Basketball-Northern Ireland (BNI), Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the Belfast Giants, and the Belfast Community Sports Development Network (BCSDN) took part in the course. Every participant contributed a great deal of insight into various aspects of diversity within their respective clubs. All will receive their Level III certificates of qualification at an awards ceremony scheduled for early autumn.

PPI-NI Fellow Shannon Brown commented on her first experience taking an OCN course: “It was very beneficial for me to hear about other sport organizations’ experiences, both triumphs and struggles, with diversity in their own respective clubs. I took a lot away from this course and look forward to contributing to PPI-NI’s own efforts to improve diversity.”

The latest course, “Developing Integrated Sports Clubs” plays into PPI-NI’s long-term goal of developing sustainable, multi-sport integrated clubs in Northern Ireland.

In May 2010, PPI-NI became an Open College Network (OCN) recognised centre. The Open College Network is a UK-wide body, accredited by the Regulatory Authorities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, that works with organizations to design high quality, flexible, credit-based professional and educational qualifications. As a result of its accredation, PPI-NI can now package, deliver and assess accredited courses and national qualifications.

Alongside the centre recognition process, PPI-NI has developed and piloted three OCN-accredited training courses of its own: Understanding Diversity Through Sport (Level I); Promoting Diversity Through Sport (Level II); and Developing Integrated Sports Clubs (Level III). We intend to fully integrate these OCN courses into programming by offering the Level I and II courses to the young people with whom we work.

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by | May 10, 2010 · 1:53 pm

Our New Links Section: S & D & So Much More…

Among the resources highlighted in our new links section is the International Platform for Sport and Development, which includes a special section coordinating sport relief efforts in Haiti.

From modest beginnings, the “sport-for-good” field has begun to absolutely boom in the last year or so. Highlighted by events like the launching of the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace and the worldwide spotlight provided by movies like Invictus, leaders in business, government, the nonprofit world and beyond are beginning to realize the powerful role that sport can play in making the world a better place.

We try hard to keep informed of all the latest events coming out of the sport-for-good world, and want to help you do the same. So, this weekend we launched a brand new links section (over there on the right), highlighting people, groups and organizations doing good in the world in various ways. They don’t all use sport for good – some speak specifically about peace, others to women’s empowerment, and so on – but they all are working in ways that resonate with PeacePlayers International’s mission of using basketball to unite and educate children worldwide.

So please take the time to browse them sometime, and keep your eyes open for updates. Some initial highlights:

  • Ashoka Peace – A clearinghouse for the latest innovations in entrepreneurial approaches to peace, brought to you by Ashoka, a worldwide leader in social entrepreneurship.
  • The Big Bang Ballers – Great friends of PPI from Down Under doing excellent work using basketball to support impoverished communities in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan and more.
  • Do Something – Using the power of technology to inspire online action in young people.
  • Kevin Carroll: Katalyst – A speaker and author who uses the power of play to motivate and inspire.
  • She’s the First – Using education to give every girl a chance to be first.
  • YouthNoise – PPI’s newest youth outreach partner, empowering young leaders to act for the causes they care about locally, nationally and globally.

For a taste, watch this video from YouthNoise about the Venice Boarding School, harnessing the talents of Los Angeles’ young skateboarders:

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by | April 7, 2010 · 2:56 pm

Life’s Lessons Through Sport

S'bo (right), with Dallas Oberholzer, the head of one of PPI - SA's partners, the Indigo Skate Camp.

This week, we dip into the archive for a chat with PeacePlayers International – South Africa Managing Director S’bo Vilakazi. Last August, he spoke with Diane Macpherson of East Coast Radio in Durban about PPI’s work in South Africa. Coming right as the global financial crisis peaked, S’bo spoke of PPI – SA’s resiliency in tough times, as well as the support its gotten from the community:

You know, what’s been uplifting is that despite the challenges and despite the drastic cuts that we’ve had to make is that the schools have said to us, “You know what, we understand what you are going through. We’re going through the same thing. Is there any way we can help?”

The flexibility and enthusiasm of its coaches is one of PPI - SA's greatest assets.

We’re proud to say that now, with the help of its partner schools and coaches, PPI – SA has emerged from the toughest of times an even stronger organization than before. The article stands as a reminder not only of the impact that PPI – SA is continuing to make in Durban, but of the wonderful people who make that impact possible.

Click here for the full article.

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