From 25 to 28 September 2018, the ISF Football Program conducted the Coaches Across Continents – ISF Social Impact training with 31 ISF students (aged 16-18) that will act as role models in their community. These students were selected by our social workers based on their school attendance, performance, results, behaviors and attitudes. Those who were selected are believed be excellent role models and mentors  for other children and youth their age.

Here at ISF we know that education is the key for the long term progress.  We believe that learning should not be left only to the classroom and have seen first-hand the valuable life lessons our students are learning on the pitch under our Football Programme. Our award-winning programme gives priority to developmental objectives and is designed to be inclusive, enabling football to be as a means for educating youth.

Our programme promotes participation, inclusion, health promotion, non-violence, tolerance, gender equality, teamwork and much more. We have been working with Coaches Across Continents (CAC) to develop this social impact side to our football programme over the course of the last six years.  CAC is a global leader in sport for social impact, focusing on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to address issues such as: female empowerment, including gender equity; conflict prevention, including social inclusion; health and wellness, including HIV behavior change; Child Rights; and other life skills.

The training program delivered advice on how these students can coach football for social impact for children in their community. Topics covered included drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gambling and school education and motivation. More topics will be covered in the coming months covering child rights, leadership, trafficking, HIV/AIDS, violence, environment, women’s rights, disability and gender equity and female empowerment.