SportForward uses sports to empower women, strengthen character, and build peace in communities with We don't just go do a contract there.
"The word partners is very important because we operate by partnership. We have intimate relationships with the countries where we work. We have a long-term relationship." - Steve DeVoss, President and Founder of GSP
Since 1992, GSP has focused on the synthesis of sports development and social development by pursuing three primary objectives: (1) increase participation through grassroots progra
18/12/2019
Sports build bridges!
Youth leaders, 18 - 25 years old, in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar or 1 of the 8 states of the North East, apply for the fully-funded 'Sport for Change' program. April - July 2020.
Click to apply: http://bit.ly/SportForChangeApplication
U.S. Consulate General Kolkata SportForward Pro Sport Development Urban Initiatives
18/12/2019
Our 'Sport for Change' program is accepting applications for 3 more weeks! Sport for Change is a fully-funded, 3-month youth leadership program from April through July 2020.
--> Are you between the ages of 18 and 25?
--> Do you love football/physical activity and care about making your community better?
--> Do you live in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar or 1 of the 8 states of the North East?
Read more about Sport for Change: http://bit.ly/SportForChange
Complete the application form: http://bit.ly/SportForChangeApplication
U.S. Consulate General Kolkata SportForward Pro Sport Development Urban Initiatives
13/12/2019
Exciting announcement!!
The Sport for Change Program is accepting applications!! Sport for Change is a 3-month youth leadership program from April through July 2020.
--> Are you between the ages of 18 and 25?
--> Do you love football/physical activity and care about making your community better?
--> Do you live in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar or 1 of the 8 states of the North East?
If so, check it out! www.bit.ly/SportForChange
U.S. Embassy India U.S. Consulate General Kolkata SportForward Pro Sport Development Urban Initiatives
In honor of International Women's Day on March 8, we celebrate emerging female leadership!
Throwback to January 2019, Indore's Youth Basketball and Leadership Camp. 1 week. 40 female youth. 11 male youth. Sneha, a camp participant and emerging coach, shares her top 2 highlights: (1) the practice of serving others as a path to leadership and (2) the consequence of push-ups! :) Sneha, we see and celebrate your values for empathy and discipline. Cheering you on as an emerging female leader!
SportForward, GSP's non-profit arm, thanks the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai for sponsoring this program in partnership with FIBA certified coach Wayne Mendezona of Quick Handle Basketball and Sagar Gangurde of Seeds of Peace. We also thank BhEɾulal B. PrajaPati for producing an excellent video!
"Women's basketball first began in 1892 at Smith College in Massachusetts (USA). Since then women globally are joining the game! India had its first women's national team in 1936." - Nicole Wriedt, CSR Manager (India) for GSP
27 of the 33 participants in this camp were girls. Keep up the hard work, ladies! We will be here cheering you on!
SportForward, GSP's non-profit arm, thanks the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai for sponsoring this program in partnership with FIBA certified coach Wayne Mendezona of Quick Handle Basketball and Sagar Gangurde of Seeds of Peace. We also thank BhEɾulal B. PrajaPati for producing an excellent video!
29/01/2019
Congrats to the 50 participants (39 of whom were female) and 5 local coaches who successfully completed the Basketball and Leadership Camp in Indore last Friday! Coach Mendo, USA FIBA certified basketball coach, honored participants for their excellent work ethic, culture of encouragement, and deepening teamwork.
Alongside of strengthening their skills in an iconic American sport, participants developed as leaders. During the week, participants worked in small groups to name one societal issue that bothers them. They asked themselves the question, "If we were 10 times bolder, what would we do to address the problem?" Small groups presented their "Big Ideas" at the end of the week. The winning group plans to address the problem of child abuse and gender discrimination through education. Way to go! Stay tuned to hear how their idea takes shape over the next two months.
SportForward gives deepest appreciation to program sponsor U.S. Consulate General Mumbai, local host Principal Sandra and Sideras International School, and partners Quick Handle Basketball and Seeds of Peace. We are proud to further !
27/01/2019
"What do you think about diversity? Is it good or bad?" At last Thursday's Basketball and Leadership Camp in Indore, Sagar Gangurde, Director of Indian Programs for Seeds of Peace, asked campers this question.
Together, students named a variety of differences that existed in the room: school attended, religion, region, age, gender, ethnicity, ability, language, accent, skin color.
These same types of diversities exist in the USA. We love that both the American and Indian constitutions value democratic freedom and promote the equality and welfare of all. When celebrated, diversity leads to individual and communal growth! Happy Republic Day, India!
24/01/2019
Sore muscles. Laughter. Teamwork. Creativity. Challenge. Encouragement. Day 3 in the books!
After high-level basketball training with Coach Mendo, USA FIBA certified basketball coach, the youth transitioned into small group work on their "Big Idea."
Here's how it started: After sharing a story of racial division on the basketball court in the US, Nicole, SportForward Manager (India), challenged the youth, "Step into the story. Imagine you were the one walking onto that basketball court. If you had ten times more courage than you have now, what might you do?" They thought for a few moments. Then, one raised her hand. "I'd go and play with the team that didn't look like me." Another boy jumped in, "I'd invite both teams to mix up their players for a match!" After a role play and discussion, it was their turn. Nicole asked, "Now think about your communities. What are three things that bother you in your school, society, or neighborhood?"
Stay tuned to hear some of their brilliant ideas to address these societal issues!!
23/01/2019
Day 2 of the Basketball and Leadership Camp = a grand success! In the morning, Coach Mendo, USA FIBA certified basketball coach, led campers in foundational ball-handling drills. Team competitions spurred on pounding heartbeats, glistening foreheads, and excited cheers from the relay race and 3-3 winners.
Transitioning to the afternoon leadership session, campers practiced making a S.M.A.R.T. goal that will move them one step closer to their dream. One girl shared, "I want to be a doctor." Her goal: "I will study two hours every day, six days every week for one year." Three cheers for a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal that moves her closer to her dream!
"It’s not really inspiring to see extraordinary or powerful people doing extraordinary things. What’s inspirational is seeing ordinary people doing extraordinary things." - Jonathan Yackley, Country Director (India) for GSP
SportForward, GSP's non-profit arm, thanks the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai for sponsoring this program in partnership with Quick Handle Basketball and Seeds of Peace. We also thank Bheru Prajapati for producing a video which excellently describes the camp. It's been a stellar team effort!
21/01/2019
After stellar basketball and leadership camps in Mumbai and Ahmedabad the past 2 weeks, we have great anticipation for this week in !
Coach Mendo, a USA FIBA certified basketball coach, alongside of 6 local coaches, led nearly 50 children in foundational ball-handling drills in preparation for their first competitions tomorrow.
Transitioning to the leadership session on achieving dreams and setting goals, Coach Mendo asked the campers, "What is one of your dreams?" One girl replied, "I want to be a doctor." A boy replied, "I want to be a PSA officer." We love these dreams! As Coach Mendo said today, "These children have greatness inside of them. Let's help them get it out."
SportForward, the non-profit arm of GSP, thanks the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai for sponsoring this program in association with Quick Handle Basketball and Seeds of Peace.
21/01/2019
What an incredible conclusion to the basketball and leadership camp in Ahmedabad! Coach Mendo, USA FIBA certified basketball coach, awarded 33 participants and 3 local coaches with SportForward certificates to honor their excellence and hard work this past week.
Nicole Wriedt, CSR Manager (India) for GSP, awarded 6 female campers medals for winning the "Big Idea" Leadership Competition. Throughout the week, the campers creatively worked in groups to create a plan for how they can do their part to address a problem they see in their communities. This group decided they want to address the problem of people judging others based on outward appearance. On average, they hear people judge others in this way three times per week. Their SMART goal: "One time per week, when we hear someone judge someone else by their appearance, we will initiate conversation with them about the value of diversity. We will do this for one month." Way to go, ladies! You inspire us! They will receive two months of virtual life coaching with a certified coach to support them in implementing their idea.
Finally, we would like to thank the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai for sponsoring this program in partnership with Quick Handle Basketball and Seeds of Peace. Each partner added great value to the whole!