ISF’s Football Programme team is back in the capital after four action-packed days of travel and sport in Battambang.  Each year, the team brings our Football Festival to a Cambodian province to spread grassroots football and social impact lessons.  This year they ventured to Phnom Prek commune, a small community near the Thai border. Arriving after a nine-hour bus ride, Samaki Primary School staff were on hand to give them a warm welcome. 

Football activities and games at Football Festival 2019

Over the course of the festivals two days, a multitude of football activities and small tournaments were held under the guidance of ISF Head Coach Sovath. Activities included: shooting, passing, ball control, juggling, friendly matches, and small team games.  285 children and youth in total participated in the two-day Football Festival.

Samaki Teachers learn social impact lessons

While the children enjoyed fresh air and sport, their instructors learned how to use football to create social change. Three ISF coaches led 25 teachers and principals through a bespoke social impact curriculum created in partnership with Coaches Across Continents (CAC). It highlights ‘Purposeful Play’ in addressing key social issues. The UN’s  Sustainable Development Goals act as its framework. The workshop taught a series of activities and games promoting gender equality, teamwork and conflict resolution. At the training session’s end, participants created coaching plans for their players. The ultimate goal of this lesson plan was reducing inequalities and helping players to contribute to society through healthy habits and attitudes.

Samaki Teachers graduate CAC Social Impact Training

ISF’s Football Programme uses these events to build grassroots football support, build relationships with other schools, and share social impact lessons to countryside coaches. The lessons we share push for progress and inclusion while teaching valuable life skills and encouraging players to live healthier lives.