Leagues for poor teens around the world
It’s “Game On!” for Children International and the International Alliance For Youth Sports (IAYS) as they announce a partnership that brings organized sports leagues to poor children and teens around the world!
For Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization which helps more than 335,000 poor children, 135,000 of those being teens between ages 12-19, the partnership supports community development in poverty-stricken areas. IAYS teaches a program to volunteers called Game On! Youth Sports that encourages fun, participation and positive competition, while integrating life skills into its lessons.
“Millions of children in the U.S. benefit physically and socially from playing sports, but for millions of children around the world this simply isn’t the case,” said IAYS Founder Fred Engh. “Children International, working hand in hand with IAYS, is bringing organized sports to children throughout their agencies worldwide to show the world that sports aren’t simply throwing or kicking a ball, but more so, the opportunity to teach life skills that can enhance the lives of children everywhere.”
Game On! has been widely popular around the world since its inception. Highly successful programs have been held throughout Africa, India, Central America and the Caribbean, which have impacted thousands of children.
After launching a children’s soccer league in Mexico and with new leagues in Colombia expected by early 2010, Game On! Youth Sports encourages participation from parents, teachers, teens and volunteers wishing to coach teams and organize games. By providing volunteer training, IAYS teaches parents and volunteers interpersonal communication skills which improve their relationships with children in their community. Training also enables teens to co-captain many younger teams. The sense of pride parents and volunteers receive from overseeing teams and leagues often provides them with self-esteem and better leadership tools.
Game On! Youth Sports appeals to populations of underserved, impoverished teens who are at-risk of dropping out of school and taking part in risky behaviors, such as gangs, early pregnancy, drug abuse or crime. Through the program, teens are encouraged to participate in leagues where they learn skills like making a life plan, decision-making, resisting peer pressure and conflict resolution, motivating them to stay in school.
Children International’s President and CEO Jim Cook said, “Children International is excited to work with IAYS on real community development at the grassroots level. Using sports as a medium to teach parents and children new skills will improve their lives and help remove the stigma poverty places on their lives.”
Source: Children International
Rod Hall Racing and HUMMER H3 capture Stock Class victories at 2009 Baja 1000
H3 Alpha first stock class vehicle to finish in 3rd consecutive Baja 1000 H3 Alpha captures stock full class win; H3 captures stock mini class win Rod Hall, 72, earns record-setting 21st Baja 1000 class win
Rod Hall Racing once again demonstrated the inherent off-road capability of the HUMMER H3 as the team secured both the stock full and stock mini class wins at the 2009 SCORE International Baja 1000. The #860 H3 Alpha, piloted by Chad Hall, captured the stock full class victory, while team owner Rod Hall partnered with Emily Miller and Mike Winkel to earn the stock mini class win with the #761 H3.
With the combined wins, Rod Hall holds the record of 21 Baja 1000 class wins and remains the only racer to have competed in all 42 Baja 1000 competitions.
The 2009 SCORE International Baja 1000 marked the 42nd anniversary of the grueling off-road race and covered 672.85 miles, starting and finishing in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. It ran from November 20-21, 2009.
“Off-road motorsports is an integral part of HUMMER’s vehicle development process and a cornerstone of the brand’s DNA,” said James Taylor, HUMMER CEO. “We’re extremely proud of the team’s resilience to earn these stock class victories and congratulate the Rod Hall Racing program on another successful Baja 1000. Race after race, they continue to prove the rugged nature of HUMMER vehicles.”
In the stock full class, Chad ran a trouble free race in the #860 H3 Alpha, finishing in 22:48:40 hours and averaging 29.50 mph. While the team won the class by more than four hours, they battled the nearest competitor’s Dodge Ram 2500 for the entire race until the Ram suffered a broken front axle less than 30 miles from the finish. The victory marked the third consecutive Baja 1000 in which the H3 Alpha was the first stock class vehicle to finish the race and was Chad Hall’s eighth Baja 1000 class win.
“These production trucks are the right size. They’re fun, take a lot of abuse and just keep running and running,” said Rod Hall. “You’d be surprised at how much abuse the H3 can take.”
In stock mini, the team suffered an early 100-mile deficit as a result of a broken steering rack seal caused by a significant impact to the front end of the #761 H3 near race mile 40. Despite the odds, the team battled back to pass the class leader less than 30 miles from the finish line and post a winning time of 28:53:30 hours.
One of the three Halls has been the driver of record behind the wheel of a HUMMER on a class-winning team in the SCORE Baja 1000 for the ninth straight year and 13th time in the 16 year-history of the stock class. With 33 class wins, the Halls continue to be the winningest family in the history of the race.
Source: General Motors
UFL invites fans to vote for Player, Coach & Fan Favorite Play of the Year
As the United Football League’s “Premiere” season is coming to a close, the League announced today that its season-end recognition awards will be determined by the fans through online voting and texting.
The UFL’s Championship Game, featuring the Florida Tuskers and the Las Vegas Locos, will be held on November 27th in Las Vegas at Noon PST. The UFL also announced that its fans will determine the Championship Game MVP using a text messaging campaign to vote. Candidates for the award will be announced at the beginning of the fourth quarter during the VERSUS telecast.
Beginning today, fans can vote online at www.ufl-football.com for the UFL’s Motorola Season MVP and Men’s Wearhouse Coach of the Year. On November 22nd, fans can vote for StubHub’s Fan Favorite Play of the Year. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for the Title ElectroEnergy Drink Championship Game MVP during the game’s fourth quarter via text messaging.
“The UFL is truly about the fans and we wanted to make sure their voices were heard when recognizing coaches and players at the conclusion of our ‘Premiere’ season,” said Michael Huyghue, UFL Commissioner. “By utilizing our website and text messaging platforms, we are integrating all forms of communication to engage our fans.”
The UFL
The UFL was developed to fulfill the unmet needs of football fans in major markets currently underserved by professional football by providing a high quality traditional football league comprised of world class professional football players. The UFL will serve the communities with pride, dedication and passion, and uphold a leadership role in the development of football worldwide. The UFL will provide every fan with an affordable, accessible, exciting and entertaining game experience. Scheduled to debut in October 2009, the UFL’s headquarters is in New York, N.Y. and has satellite offices in Jacksonville, Fla. and Rutherford, N.J. The UFL is led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue, COO Frank Vuono and is being funded by a consortium of private investors. For more information on the UFL and how to purchase tickets for the UFL’s “Premiere” season, visit www.ufl-football.com.
Source: UFL