IAYS and Children International, Inc. host another successful
Game On! Youth Sports Training in Manila, Philippines
In early 2008, Children International, Inc., a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to bettering the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities, contacted the International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS) in its hopes to bring a youth sports component to its agencies worldwide working directly with marginalized youth in their respective regions.
After piloting IAYS’ signature program, Game On! Youth Sports, from 2008-2010 in four selected locations, and later bringing those agencies together in Guadalajara, Mexico for a 10-day training in 2011, the decision was made to bring Game On! Youth Sports programming to all active Children International agencies worldwide.
This global initiative kicked off in January with a special week-long training in Manila, Philippines, which included participants from Zambia, India and selected cities throughout the Philippines. With six agencies represented at this training, IAYS and Children International have now educated and empowered 10 countries and their respective agencies on the true power and impact sports can have on a young person’s life.
“The training went tremendously well and we had a very talented and diverse group of individuals in attendance,” said Cindy Daub, IAYS’ Director of International Relations. “We are excited to move forward with each of the agencies in attendance in our hopes to benefit the lives of sponsored children around the world through Game On! Youth Sports.”
Topics covered in the training included positive coaching and administration techniques, basic and modified sport specific skills and drills, monitoring and evaluation, program sustainability, community building and the importance of life skills and utilizing teachable moments in order to combat negative influences which may hinder a youth’s participation in sports and physical activities.
“I was impressed by how receptive both our staff and the sponsored youth who we piloted the techniques with were to the program,” said Jeremy Parker, Global Programs Coordinator for Children International. “I can see that Game On! is going to be wildly popular in our Zambian, Indian and Filipino agencies. What a great way to teach youth these valuable skills on such a large scale.”
IAYS looks forward to seeing Children International, Inc. continue their partnership and utilize the Game On! program to make positive differences in the lives of children worldwide.
About Children International:
Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International’s programs help more than 340,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org.
About International Alliance for Youth Sports:
The International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS) was established in 2003 as a division of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) by Founder and President Fred Engh. The goal of IAYS is for all children throughout the world to have the opportunity to gain the benefits of sports. Game On! Youth Sports is the featured youth sports program of IAYS, which offers educational training and guidance to youth sports leaders worldwide as well as addresses issues that hinder youth sport participation throughout the world, including lack of trained volunteers, lack of programming support, nonexistent facilities and poor equipment. For additional information on the Children International and IAYS partnership, or for more information on how to get involved in Game On! Youth Sports, contact IAYS at international@iays.org or at 1-800-688-KIDS.
IAYS releases series of educational resources
to help communities enhance children’s
lives through sports worldwide
The International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS), as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the lives of children worldwide through sports, has released a series of educational resources designed to help communities jumpstart or improve their current youth sports programming at school or within their community.
These new and updated resources cover everything from educating community leaders on the influential role sports can play in children’s lives to how to go about implementing the IAYS’ Game On! Youth Sports program.
Game On! Youth Sports addresses issues that hinder sports programming for children and gives them opportunities to participate in sports. Game On! programs are designed to give children the ability to develop sports skills while learning how to make healthy lifestyle decisions and avoid the negative behaviors that lead to the dangers of crime, violence, drug abuse, obesity and diseases such as HIV/AIDS. As of 2011, Game On! Youth Sports programs have been held throughout Africa, India, Central America and the Caribbean.
One of the many unique aspects of Game On! is that besides teaching sports skills, encouraging participation and promoting positive competition in a fun atmosphere, it also integrates a variety of life skills into the sessions. Children learn the importance of staying in school, how to make sound decisions, resist peer pressure and resolve conflicts.
IAYS Resources include:
Building the True Value Of Sports: This resource was created to educate community leaders and professionals on the true power that sports plays in children’s lives, if given the opportunity to take part. IAYS believes that a critical component in truly making a difference in the lives of children is to help educate individuals at the highest level that sports have the capability to make a profound impact on a child’s development and without providing a quality youth sports experience a community may not be giving their children maximum opportunity to grow and reach their fullest potential. This is a great resource for all those interested in working or collaborating with IAYS or if one is merely interested in enhancing youth sports programs for children worldwide.
Game On! Basic Sports Skill Development Manual: This manual is a critical component to the overall program’s success. All those interested in this resource can utilize it to help guide leaders in their efforts to improve their current or future physical education and/or community program. The manual consists of everything one needs to know about the basic concepts and skills children should have prior to advancing to the next level in order to have a successful Game On! experience. The manual features two main components, which includes a Basic Skill Development section for youth that are beginners and a Modified Sports section for those that are more advanced.
Game On! Children’s Workbook: This workbook is a resource developed as a supplement primarily for Game On! Physical Education programs for ages 8-12. It was developed to help document children’s attitudes and experiences throughout the program. It can also be used as a monitoring and evaluation tool so physical educators, and in some instances, coaches, can gain a better understanding as to the impact their sports program is having on their children’s overall learning experience, well-being and development. IAYS requires that all information obtained in this manual be used for the sole purpose of the individual or group overseeing the program and later for review and documentation by IAYS headquarters.
Game On! Administrators Manual: This manual and all related trainings are designed specifically for all those with little or no knowledge on how to implement and administer a youth sports program in one’s community. It is designed to teach individuals or organizations how to train their volunteers and all related staff who are working on the ground and interacting with the children directly. This manual covers all important aspects of implementing and running a sports program, including teaching community leaders on how to properly train and screen all volunteers or staff and carefully monitoring and evaluating the program’s effectiveness on their youth. It also covers areas on child protection and how to develop and enforce league rules and structures in order to ensure a quality program.
Game On! Coach’s Manuals: The IAYS currently offers a Game On! Soccer manual, and is developing additional sport-specific manuals for Baseball, Softball and Basketball. These manuals feature detailed information on how to teach the basic skills of the sport as well as provide a variety of exciting drills and games that allow children the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance others in a fun and stress-free atmosphere.
Game On! Life Skills Manual: One of the most vital components of Game On! is its emphasis on life skills and the importance of reinforcing those important skills and values all children can gain by participating in youth sports activities. Some examples of life skills include hard work, discipline, respect, teamwork and sportsmanship. For all Game On! Youth Sports related activities and trainings, the Life Skills Guide is a necessary resource so life skills can be integrated into their current sports programs or activities.
The Ultimate Game On! Package: This package is a compilation of all Game On! Youth Sports resources, including the International Standards for Youth Sports and the Child Protection Recommendations. The package has information for those interested in both school and community youth sports programming, including the Game On! Physical Educator’s Manual, Administrators Manual, all sport-specific coaches manuals and the Game On! Life Skills Manual. Each of these items are crucial components for any sports-minded professional, teacher, coach and community leader.
Game On! Monitoring & Evaluation Tools: These tools are used only for official Game On! communities that have been trained by IAYS staff or one of their regional trainers. The tools are used to help all those working closely with IAYS headquarters in the development of one’s current program, whether it is at school or in the community. The information collected is intended to assist both youth leaders and IAYS in understanding the successes and setbacks of one’s current program, as well as providing key statistics reflecting the impact sports have on a child’s overall health and well-being.
For additional information on purchasing any of these materials contact IAYS headquarters at international@iays.org.
High-ranking officials will
be among more than 20,000 who will be on hand for historic event!
The State of Mizoram is the first in India to join an ever-growing list of countries and regions around the world that are implementing a one-of-a-kind initiative to help ensure that children are given much-needed opportunities to take part in sports programs and reap the many benefits that participation provides.
More than 20,000 people, including the State’s top dignitaries, will be on hand at AR Ground in Aizawl on Feb. 19 for the historic unveiling of Game On! Youth Sports, which will be implemented in schools throughout the state.
The dignitaries who are anticipated to be present include the Governor of Mizoram, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister of Mizoram, the Education Minister and Chairman of the High Level Working Group on International Cooperation of Mizoram and Officers of the State of Mizoram.
Game On! Youth Sports is the signature program of the International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS), based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Game On! has already been implemented across Africa, the Caribbean and Mexico, and soon to be India.
Fred Engh, Founder and President of the IAYS, will be the featured speaker at the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 19. A press conference will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the I&PR Conference Hall at the Aizawl Press Club.
“Sports truly are the outdoor classroom of life and it’s vital that every child in India has the opportunity to participate in them,” Engh said. “Sports help form children’s attitudes, mold their values and define their character while teaching the importance of teamwork, playing by the rules, handling winning with class and losing with dignity, good sportsmanship, putting your best effort forth every time and learning to persevere in times of adversity, among others. It’s also important to note that sports has proven to be an effective tool in driving young people away from the temptations of drug and alcohol use, as well as criminal and promiscuous behavior. There simply is not a better deterrent than sports for keeping young people headed down the right path.”
Joining Engh will be Bob Wilkinson, honorary chairman of the IAYS & SWMF Advisory Board, which raises money and collects sports equipment to distribute to children worldwide through Game On! In 2007 Engh announced the establishment of an International Office in Guwahati, Assam, being headed by Das. He has worked closely with Government Officials to establish Game On! in Mizoram and has been working closely with State Governments to further Game On!
“The future of mankind lies in our children because children are our assets and our future and they will take the world forward,” Das said. “Sports or sports programs help children to mold their lifestyle and grow positive habits and this, in turn, helps children to become responsible citizens as they grow.“
Along with the unveiling of Game On! several other special events will be held during Engh’s visit. On Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. there will be the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at the Conference Hall of the State House, and at 7 p.m. there will be a State dinner hosted by Dr. R. Lalthangliana, the Minister of School Education.
Prior to the unveiling of Game On! on Feb. 19 Engh will visit the SSA Sports Academies within Aizawl city, as well as meet with the Governor of Mizoram at Raj Bhavan in Aizawl and the Chief Minister of Mizoram.