Tag Archives: youth sports

by | January 24, 2013 · 5:19 pm

The PeacePlayers MiniFest #2 Comes to Jerusalem

Coach Vito Gilic leading a session of entertaining basketball drills

Coach Vito Gilic leading a session of entertaining basketball drills

Over 50 Jewish and Arab “Minis” (PeacePlayers ages 8 to 10) from four different Jerusalem communities came together this week for another action-packed twinning. Girls and boys from the Arab communities of Beit Safafa and Esawiah, as well as the Jewish school Keshet and the mixed Hand in Hand school, met at the Hand in Hand gym to learn some basketball, have a great time, and hopefully make some friends from “the other side.” This was just one of many large twinnings that all four of these teams will have together throughout the year. These teams already had their first encounter of the year in December, at this season’s Abe and Irene Pollin Holiday Happening.

A Jewish mini from Keshet and an Arab mini from Beit Safafa having a blast working together

A Jewish mini from Keshet and an Arab mini from Beit Safafa having a blast working together

Vito Gilic led participants in lively basketball sessions filled with unique relay races. Coach Vito not only had the kids working on their dribbling skills but also created special activities where partners made up of one Jewish participant and one Arab participant had to trust one another and work together.  At one point the partners had to run across the court holding a basketball in between them without using their hands.

Another event included one partner holding the other’s legs while the other raced across the floor on their hands, also known as “wheelbarrow racing.”  This taught the kids to trust and depend on each other while hysterically laughing the entire time.  It was truly remarkable to watch kids from different worlds learn to communicate and work together.

Arbinger facilitator Nissreen Najjar working with a group of minis on the Anatomy of Peace curriculum

Arbinger facilitator Nissreen Najjar working with a group of minis on the Anatomy of Peace curriculum

In addition to the basketball portion of the gathering, interactive Anatomy of Peace Curriculum sessions were held by facilitators Nissreen Najjar and Renana Gal. The kids sat down together in the courtyard outside and were encouraged to discuss their own thoughts and feelings as well as learn about important topics such as “seeing people as people” despite any differences they may have. It is extremely heartwarming to experience such a wonderful event, seeing kids who may harbor many misconceptions about other’s religions and cultures, come together and learn that we all have many more similarities than differences.

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by | November 8, 2012 · 2:35 pm

Welcome, Waterloo!

PPI-SA staff members pose with a group of Waterloo students on their new court.

PPI-SA added a new member to its family last week with a court launch at Waterloo Primary School in the community of Waterloo, South Africa. Situated in a landscape of rolling hills north of Durban, Waterloo represents a brand new area for the PPI-SA programme, which currently works in the south, west, and center of Durban.

The court launch was an event celebrated by the entire school. The launch kicked off with a school-wide assembly that featured singing, dancing, and other showcases of talent from Waterloo students and staff, followed by speakers representing PPI-SA, Waterloo Primary, and Sibaya Casino, whose generous financial contributions made the partnership between PPI-SA and Waterloo possible.

Waterloo students eagerly await the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new basketball court.

Following the assembly, it was time to hit the new court for some hoops. 45 grade 6 students were selected to participate in the inaugural basketball session at the school, while others eagerly gazed out classroom windows to catch a glimpse of the action. For many of the students, it was their first experience with the game.

After some exciting dribble relay races, students took part in team-building activities such as “Magic Hat”, a game where teams must communicate with each other to find the most efficient way to transport their teammates across an imaginary river. Then it was back to basketball for an energy-filled game of “Scramble”, where students got to test-out their newly acquired dribbling, shooting, and passing skills. To wrap up the events on the court, local gym Virgin Active provided a trainer to lead the participants in a group exercise session made up of a variety of dance moves set to some of South Africa’s favorite house beats.

PPI-SA’s newest players take part in a dribble relay at the Waterloo court launch

Though basketball and life skills programming has reached an end-of-the-year break for most schools, PPI-SA will continue holding training sessions in Waterloo throughout the month of November. When the new school year starts in January, Waterloo will be prepared to enter both a boys and girls team into the primary school league where the teams will have the opportunity to travel and host teams from other communities that PPI-SA serves.

PPI-SA is grateful to all who made contributions and sacrifices to make this new partnership possible, and wishes the best of luck to the new Waterloo teams!

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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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by | September 13, 2012 · 4:19 pm

Holon and Fureidis Work It Out While Working Out

The girls counted out loud through exercise sets in Hebrew, Arabic in English

While most teams in the Twinned Basketball Clubs (TBC) program won’t start Twinning (AKA joint activities) until later in the fall, two teams have already started getting into the swing of things with joint fitness trainings on the beach in Herzliya. The two teams, which include teenage girls from the Jewish town of Holon and the Arab town of Fureidis, are new to PPI and consequently new to each other. Last week’s twinning was the first of what will be weekly fitness trainings throughout the month of September. Starting in October, activities will revert to the standard TBC format, whereby the two teams will practice twice a week in their own communities and come together for Twinnings twice each month. Fitness trainings are led by trainer Alon Levy, who last year led joint fitness trainings for the Jerusalem All-Stars and Elitzur Holon, so he knows all about working things out by working out.

Last week’s joint training was the first time that most girls had met “the other side”

The first training session was held in a friendly casual manner, letting the girls settle into the idea of working out with girls from the other side of the Arab-Jewish divide, which isn’t exactly a usual occurrence in Israel. Out loud, the girls counted their ways through exercise sets in unison, alternating between Hebrew, Arabic and English.

The next training session will take more of a direct Twinning approach, with more of a focus on working together, playing beach volleyball on mixed teams and other muscle- and team-building games. While the two teams are new to PPI – ME, these two communities have already been involved in the TBC in some capacity. Holon has been cooperating with PPI – ME for the past two years, and since last year has had an official team in the TBC. This year, Holon is sending another two teams to the TBC, including the girls in this post. Fureidis has been a guest of honor at many of our special events, including tournaments, but only this year became a full-fledged TBC member, with two new teams also participating.

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by | August 13, 2012 · 11:49 pm

Back To School, Back To Work, and Back to PPI

We all hate to say goodbye to summer and all of its pot-luck barbecues, hazy pool days, and easygoing evenings at the park or playground. Although it will soon be time to put away the sunscreen and the picnic blanket, new opportunities are just around the corner. As you get back into the swing of the school year, consider getting involved with PeacePlayers International. Explore this list to learn more about how to help in our mission to unite, educate, and inspire young people in divided communities around the world through basketball.

RJ Goldberg’s Mitzvah Tournament raised over $5,000 to support PPI! Thank you, RJ!

Raise awareness for PPI at a special celebration or birthday party. Many students in the US and Canada have chosen to support PPI for their bar and bat mitzvahs, asking family and friends to donate to the organization in honor of their special day. Read more about the work of some of these amazing young leaders here and here.

Think about working with PPI on a service-learning project for your school or community center. Read more about how 6th graders at Alice Deal Middle School used Give Back Day to start a dialogue about global citizenship.

Put together a basketball game or tournament. Donnie and Vance Walter, brothers from Gonzaga College High School, have organized two annual three-on-three tournaments to benefit PeacePlayers International.

Going in for a lay-up at the Gonzaga High School Tournament

Enjoy a cause-motivated night in or out. In the past, supporters have hosted successful raffles, house parties and pub nights to benefit PPI.

Discover grassroots activism and social media. Razoo.com lets you set up a simple, fun webpage to support your favorite nonprofits, including PeacePlayers International, and find the tools to recruit your friends and family as fellow activists. We have also partnered with Do Something, a nonprofit organization with a large network of resources for young activists.

Spread the word. ”Like” PeacePlayers International on Facebook, or follow PPI on Twitter!

Visit our website for more info about different ways to help out as a teen, college student, teacher, coach, club leader, or adult volunteer, and see how you can contribute here. We are so grateful to the many friends of PPI for making our programs possible! With your assist, we can all strive to develop leaders for peace all around the world.

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by | July 3, 2012 · 1:25 pm

PPI-SA welcomes New Operations Manager Debby van der Heever to the Family!

Debby has a natural ability to work with young people.

This month,  PPI-SA welcomes Debby van der Heever as the new operations manager. Debby brings a wealth of professional experience and knowledge to PPI-SA  and has an infectious enthusiasm and love for basketball and helping young people.  Get to know Debby below!

How will being a former teacher help you with your new position?

As a former teacher I think I have a deep insight into the pressures and obstacles facing teenagers in South Africa.  I have built up relationships with many of my students over the years who have sought help from me in having to deal with many difficult circumstances and am still in contact with some of them 7 years later.

Being an organized and highly motivated person who always strives for excellence I aimed to instill these values through a good work ethic with my students.

Describe the impact basketball has had on your life.

For many years I played competitive tennis.  One day in late 1979 my brother who played at the University of Natal invited me to play as their girl’s team was short of players and they did not want to default the game as they were top of the league.  The following week I gave up playing tennis and was registered as a basketball player. Five months later I made the Natal Provincial team.  In February of 1980 I met my knight in shining armor on the basketball court who became my husband in 1984 (Marcel van der Heever- new managing director of PPI-SA!)  I THINK BASKETBALL HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON MY LIFE!

What are you most excited about? (Joining PPI) 

To be able to touch and make a difference in a young person’s life through basketball (I will still be teaching but through basketball) – MY DREAM CAREER!!!

What is your favorite PPI experience so far?

By far the Bridges of Hope training – I got to meet the PPI SA Family – what a wonderful bunch of young people.  I was inspired by their courage and determination to continue persevering even though many face hardships and significant obstacles in their lives.  My impression is that they give unselfishly and are determined to make a difference in whatever they do.

Why do you think basketball can create friendships and bring children together?

Sport is an integral part of young a person’s life.  As a baseball and softball Provincial coach and National Basketball coach I have had the opportunity to bond with my players in a different environment to teaching.  To be able to lead them towards a healthier and more holistic approach to life is a privilege that I cannot put into words.  The many memories and experiences I continue to share with my players on and off the sports field have created bonds that can never be broken and are invaluable in my life.  These experiences comprise an integral part of the person I am and the person I have become.

Favorite quote?

My favorite quotation by Unknown:

“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, And touches a heart!”

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by | September 7, 2010 · 2:13 pm

Up Close and Personal with Ryan Douwie, PPI-SA’s Operations Manager

In this week’s post, we interview Ryan Douwie, PPI-SA’s Operations Manager.  Ryan has been with PeacePlayers since 2001, beginning as a coach, and has had the opportunity to work outside of South Africa with PeacePlayers International- Northern Ireland for two and a half years.  Ryan is PPI’s longest tenured employee and PPI-SA is incredibly fortunate to have such a veteran leader in the organization.  Douwie, the floor is all yours, my friend…

Ryan Douwie (also known as "Dow Jones"), PPI's longest tenured employee.

PeacePlayers International: Ryan, tell us how you first came to learn about PeacePlayers International, or Playing for Peace, as it was referred to back then.

Ryan Douwie: I was shooting hoops at a gym when I met Sean Tuohey, the founder of PPI. Sean was climbing a wall closest to the basket where I was shooting. He basically called me aside and asked if I would like to coach basketball. The answer was a no-brainer, seeing that I extremely loved the game, and leading up to that point I was so fortunate to be awarded many opportunities to travel, meet people and learn through basketball.

PPI: You’ve had the experience of living and working in Northern Ireland for two and half years with PeacePlayers.  Tell us a little about that and how it has shaped your life.

RD: Living in Northern Ireland was tough at first. It rained 95% of the time, was cold, gray and everything was done indoors. That might seem like the norm to most, but coming from Durban, South Africa, where winter is a figure of our imagination, the mental shift was going to be tough. However, the country is extremely beautiful and the people are great!  Within a few days, I felt right at home.

I particularly loved the experience of working with different people and such diverse cultures! It taught me a lot about myself and how important it is to live life to the fullest and never to judge people before you meet them!!! I was the only South African, “non-white” person for miles, which seemed like continents apart, but it was great! I lived with two Americans and our entire full time staff was American, so the cultural learning was interesting.  I’m happy to say that all worked out just fine!

These experiences have contributed hugely in shaping the way I see people merely as people, regardless of race, color and cultures!

PPI: What’s the best part of your role as PPI-SA’s Operations Manager?

Douwie (center) helps a PPI-SA player with his shooting.

RD: The best part of my role is that I am able to lead a team of dedicated people who are as passionate as me about using basketball as a tool for social change. Being part of the organization for such a long time allows me to contribute positively to the way the organization does its work, from the people we hire to operations we manage on a daily basis.

PPI: What are some of the strategic goals for PPI-SA that you hope to achieve over the coming years?

RD: I would love for us to become locally sustained and be seen as the number one organization in Durban that does youth-development through sport.

PPI: We’ve recently learned about some exciting news in your personal life.  Tell us a little bit about that.

RD: I’m going to be a father, as well as get married to the lady of my dreams!!!! According to Chinese Astrology, 2011, is the year of the Dow Jones aka Ryan Douwie!!!

PPI: Congratulations!  However, according to Chinese Astrology, 2011 is actually the year of the Rabbit, but we’ll look into to getting that changed somehow. Thanks for your time, Ryan!

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by | June 29, 2010 · 3:35 pm

PeacePlayers International – South Africa at the Laureus Workshop

S’bongiseni Vilakazi, our Managing Director in South Africa, recently attended the Laureus Sport for Good summit in South Africa.

S'bo at the Laureus Sport for Good summit in South Africa

The workshop incorporated  lessons about life skills, tips for making sessions interesting, and the importance of innovation and creativity.

S’bo learned a lot from the workshop to better the Leadership Development Program in South Africa:

“…The heart of our impact lies in leadership development. It was therefore quite useful to explore with other organisations what leadership development through sport means for us. The session on defining leadership development pathways helped me to think about a matter that is of great importance to PPI – SA.”

Read more from S’bo on the Laureus blog.

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by | May 7, 2010 · 11:59 am

R-E-S-P-E-C-T in PPI-CY

Respect. “Sevasmos” in Greek. “Saygi” in Turkish. Same thing in any language. We show respect to our parents, to our teachers, to our environment. On the basketball court, we show respect to our coaches, the referees, and our fellow teammates and opponents. Respect is a key part to meeting, understanding, and getting along with new people and cultures, and something important to everyone in PeacePlayers International – Cyprus.

The PPI – CY girls’ team from Lapta/Lapitos understand that respect is important in both basketball and life. This month we asked them to come up with skits demonstrating when you show respect and how you show respect. The results exceeded our expectations. The girls came up with three skits: respect between players on the court, between a mother and daughter, and between girls at school. We hope you enjoy!

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by | April 20, 2010 · 2:18 pm

Thobani Khumalo: “I am a PeacePlayer”

Thobani Khumalo, fresh off a promotion, delivered this rousing poem at a recent staff meeting.

As part of our weekly PPI-SA management meetings, one designated attendee always ends with a unique presentation, which we call “News to Me.”  Fresh off a promotion and a rookie to the meetings, Thobani Khumalo ended the meeting with a bang.

Thobani had written a poem just days before, prompted only by the love and passion present for PeacePlayers International -  South Africa.

If only we could upload a video of his spirited delivery…

Enjoy!

I am a PeacePlayer.  I am a PeacePlayer.  I am a PeacePlayer.
My dreams are painted with hope for a brighter future,
for these kids especially within my reach.
My mind is programmed to do everything in my will to help some kid reach their dream.
My life is governed by a righteous force that motivates me to do good.
My dreams are inspired simply by people with passion and love like you and me.
My energy is enough to drive my body to be available in time of need.
Yes, I intend to make myself accessible in times of need.
My words and my actions are enough to be a psychic fuel that propels and inspires many to do good.
My love for sport has helped me grow so I will make sure that some kid out there will grow through sport, too.
You see, I believe that the passion of life shares the same spark with a thousand neuron pulses in the brain.
So I wish I can at least do good for one person everyday.
So every morning when I wake, I remind myself of what good I did yesterday and then strategize on what good I can do today.
I remind myself that I am a PeacePlayer.  I am a PeacePlayer.

Though it is tough sometimes.
I remind myself of the passion I once had and the passion I see in kids’ eyes every session.
That smile in kids’ faces when I come to my session, that joy they have when they run towards me, just simply to say, ‘What up coach?’
And I reply,’ The sky,’ then we all laugh about it.
See my job is not about coaching basketball but to link basketball with life lessons that these kids will grow old with.
Sadly, I didn’t have people like me when I was growing up.
In my heart I carry a flag of peace.
In my mind I hold the truth.
I hold the wisdom that we can use basketball as a tool to teach.
And yet again, I am a PeacePlayer.  I am a PeacePlayer.

You see I am not here for the payroll.
I am not here cause I got nothing else to do.
I am here cause I have a lot to do for my community, for the kids we brothers can reach.
My brothers and sisters through PPI.
Yes, through PPI.
And if you feel the same way put your right hand up and repeat after me.
I am a PeacePlayer. ‘I am a PeacePlayer.’
And I love my job. ‘And I love my job.’
I will make a positive difference. ‘I will make a positive difference.’
In my community. ‘In my community.’
I will honor and cherish. ‘I will honor and cherish.’
Respect and love. ‘Respect and love.’
The good work that we do.  ‘The good work that we do.’
For the rest of my life. ‘For the rest of my life.’
Simply because. ‘Simply because.’

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