WE BALL TOO
Flag football stands out as a dynamic and inclusive sport with the power to unite people from various backgrounds in a shared experience. Its capacity to serve as an educational tool and a catalyst for social change, combined with its growing international presence and Olympic recognition, positions flag football as a key player in the promotion of healthy lifestyles, equality, and the dissemination of positive values among young individuals across Europe and beyond.
The project “We ball too” aims to promote youth and all gender participation in sport, enhance the accessibility and social inclusion of young people and equalize gender gap.
This overall project aim translates into more specific objectives:
- Increase Participation Across Genders: To significantly increase the participation rate of young people, especially girls and youth, in flag football and other sports activities, aiming for a more gender-balanced participation rate within two years of the project’s launch.
- Develop Inclusive Sports Programs: To create and implement sports programs that are intentionally designed to be inclusive, offering equal opportunities for participation, leadership, and recognition regardless of gender identity.
- Educate on Gender Equality: To educate coaches, participants, and the community about gender equality and the importance of inclusivity in sports through workshops, seminars, and inclusive policy frameworks.
- Enhance Accessibility: To improve the physical and social accessibility of sports facilities and programs for all young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate.
- Promote Social Inclusion: To foster a sense of belonging and community among participants by encouraging teamwork, respect, and mutual support across gender lines, thereby enhancing social inclusion.
- Monitor and Evaluate Gender Gaps: To regularly monitor and evaluate participation rates, access opportunities, and outcomes by gender to identify persistent gaps and address them proactively.
- Build Partnerships for Support: To establish partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and sports clubs to support and promote the project’s goals, ensuring a wider reach and impact.
- Create Safe and Supportive Environments: To ensure that all sports environments are safe, supportive, and free from discrimination or harassment, encouraging positive interactions and experiences for all participants.
- Encourage Leadership and Empowerment: To provide leadership opportunities for youth, especially girls and youth, in sports settings, empowering them to take on roles as coaches, referees, and organizers.
- Showcase Success Stories: To highlight and celebrate the achievements and contributions of participants of all genders in sports, using these success stories to inspire further engagement and challenge gender stereotypes.
These objectives collectively aim to create a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment in sports, particularly focusing on youth and flag football, to bridge the gender gap and promote a culture of equality and respect.
The present project assumes involvement of three key sectors as a cooperation between Sport organizations, NGOs and Schools. The engagement of these actors are essential to release the full potential of the sport project in the community of young people with emphasize on European values in non-invasive way.
The implementation of a “We ball too” project consist of 2 partners from Slovakia and 1 partner from Czech Republic.
The coordinator organisation will explore the educational relevance and use the flag football across the following issues:
– Social Inclusion: sport as an effective tool to fight against prejudices (racism, social, gender) and showing the important role of respect in sport.
– Gender Equality: giving positive example of the irreplaceable role of each person in the team and transferring it in to real life situation.
– Tolerance: emphasize the mutual knowledge, positive interaction and cooperation among young people and the potential of cultural and educational enrichment of people from different backgrounds.
The final output of the “We Ball Too” project, which aims to promote youth and all-gender participation in sports, enhance accessibility, and equalize the gender gap, would likely encompass several key deliverables and impacts:
Inclusive Sports Curriculum and Programs: A comprehensive set of sports programs and curricula that are specifically designed to be inclusive, catering to all genders and promoting equal participation. This would include lesson plans, training modules, and educational materials focused on gender equality in sports.
Community Engagement Reports: Detailed reports documenting the engagement and participation of the community, especially focusing on the involvement of girls, youth, and underrepresented youth in sports activities. These reports would include feedback, testimonials, and success stories to highlight the project’s impact.
Digital Platform or Community Network: If applicable, the development of a digital platform or community network that provides ongoing support, resources, and a space for participants to connect, share experiences, and access continued education on gender equality in sports.
Leadership and Empowerment Outcomes: Evidence of the empowerment and leadership opportunities afforded to youth through the project, showcasing the development of new leaders in sports among girls, youth, and underrepresented groups.
