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
Fox Sports En Espanol announces exclusive spanish-language programming for the 2009 World Series
with Pre- & Postgame Analysis by Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen
For the ninth consecutive year, Fox Sports en Espanol is offering live Spanish-language coverage of the MLB postseason. Tune-in to Fox Sports en Espanol for the 2009 World Series, where the defending World Champions Philadelphia Phillies, take on the American League champions, New York Yankees starting on Wednesday, October 28th at 7:30pm ET.
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen joins Fox Sports en Espanol as a pregame and postgame analyst, providing exclusive Spanish language analysis and content, for the network’s coverage of the 2009 Fall Classic.
Guillen’s engaging personality, honesty and candor have made him a popular media figure both in Chicago and nationally. His previous MLB television experience was as an analyst for the Hispanic television broadcast of the 1992 MLB All-Star Game in San Diego.
A complete schedule of Fox Sports en Espanol’s MLB telecasts is available at www.foxsportsla.com.
Following his 16-year playing career that stretched from 1985 through 2000, Guillen served as a coach for the Montreal Expos (2001-2002) and third-base coach for the Florida Marlins in 2003, where he won his first World Series ring. He was named the 37th manager in Chicago White Sox history on November 3, 2003; and in 2005, guided the team to their first American League Pennant since 1959, and their first World Series title in 88 years with a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros. He is the first Latin-born manager in the history of the game to have won a World Series. Guillen is also the only manager in White Sox history to guide the team to more than one division/league title and was named the 2005 American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Guillen managed the 2006 AL All-Star team to a 3-2 victory and has an overall career managerial record of 512-461.
World Series Programming
10/28 Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Yankees Gm 1 7:30pm ET
10/29 Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Yankees Gm 2 7:30pm ET
10/31 New York Yankees @ Philadelphia Phillies Gm 3 7:30pm ET
11/1 New York Yankees @ Philadelphia Phillies Gm 4 8:00pm ET
11/2 New York Yankees @ Philadelphia Phillies Gm 5* 7:30pm ET
11/4 Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Yankees Gm 6* 7:30pm ET
11/5 Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Yankees Gm 7* 7:30pm ET
*Games 5-7 are only if necessary games.
Source: Fox Sports en Espanol
New York Most Popular City to Run a Marathon
Reasons to run a marathon’ research reveals European minds
The world of running is experiencing an incredible boom, and 2009 heralds the continuing growth in popularity of this sport. As the number of runners (in particular women) strengthens by the day, so does the ever-increasing appeal of marathons around the world. ASICS’ recent ‘Reasons to Run’ research revealed that, of the 85% of Europe’s 80 million runners who have not yet run a marathon, 37% plan to do so in the near future. With the imminent New York marathon in mind (November 1st), it is also worth knowing that this is a marathon in which 15.2 million European runners aspire to run.
2009 also marks the 60th anniversary of Japanese sportswear brand ASICS. Turning 60 is an extremely symbolic event in Japan, and a milestone ASICS is extremely proud to have reached. Sixty years of continuous research and technological innovation has led ASICS to be considered the most valued running shoe amongst serious runners. The New York marathon is a perfect example to highlight this point. Since 2005, around 50% of New York’s participants have run in ASICS shoes. *
The evolution of marathons
The marathon is the most iconic individual achievement of our time, and these days simply being accepted in to a major marathon is a feat in itself. It has evolved from the elite, ‘super-athletes only’ race to a mass phenomenon where the number of marathons and the amount of runners taking part around the world increases every year. In the last decade, the New York marathon itself has seen a growth of approximately 20,000 participants, and is now considered to be the most coveted race to run amongst 19% of European runners.
ASICS’ participation in marathons
No other brand can lay claim to the fact that the majority of marathon participants worldwide wear their shoes. The shoe count at the last two New York marathons alone showed that 55% (2007) and 51%(2008)* chose to wear ASICS. For this year’s event, ASICS has organised yet another ‘shoe count team’ to see just how many hardcore runners choose to run such a demanding race in ASICS shoes.
Providing the best at every level
Since its launch in 1949, ASICS has grown from a small sports-shoe company founded in Japan to a highly regarded, award-winning international sportswear brand. ASICS’ founder, Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka deeply believed in the fact that exercise leads to the development of a healthier body, and that a sound body is the cradle for a sound mind. When it came to naming his company, Mr. Onitsuka opted for the initials of a Latin quote that summarised his belief: Anima Sana In Corpore Sano (a sound mind in a sound body). Nothing epitomises his philosophy more than running a marathon, as this is the ultimate event where body and mind must work together in harmony in order to complete those long and arduous 42.195 kilometres.
But it is not just the body and mind that are tested to their max, as a marathon also stretches sports products to their limit in the most extreme way. And that is why, after sixty years of determination to provide athletes of all levels with the best possible products, ASICS is still so popular at marathons the world over. Whether an elite runner or a first-time finisher, those wearing ASICS can run safe in the knowledge that they’ve put their trust in the most dedicated running brand.
* ASICS employees count one specific brand of footwear each during the 2.5 hours after the winner crosses the marathon finish line. The resulting percentage indicates that ASICS is the preferred brand of footwear among serious marathon runners.
Source: ASICS Europe B.V.
Countdown: 100 Days Before Senior Games 2009 Launch
In exactly 100 days, the Senior Games 2009 start in the Province of Zeeland. The first European edition of this international sports event for people over fifty will take place September 7-12, 2009.
A 100 year old participant!
More than 1,500 participants have entered to participate in 22 sports from the main programme of the Senior Games 2009. The oldest participant so far is 100-year-old American Roger Gentilhomme. In September, he will be vying for the Senior Games championship in tennis and bowling.
World’s best
Several former national, European, and world champions have entered the Senior Games, including former Olympic participant, world champion, and multiple European champion of the triathlon and duathlon, Rob Barel. In addition to the triathlon, this 51-year-old triathlete has also entered mountain biking, track and field, and swimming competitions. “I think it will all be great fun. Let’s see if I can relive the Olympic feeling from Sydney again,” says Barel.
23 nationalities
Four months before the kick-off of the Senior Games, the organization can count on the participation of sportsmen and women from at least 23 different countries. In addition to Dutch participants, European participants from Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Italy, Norway, Russia, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, and Hungary have entered. Furthermore, there are participants from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Israel, and Uzbekistan.
Who wants to participate?
As many as 3,000 participants over fifty are expected to compete against each other for the highest attainable goal in this sporting event. Participants can enter for the disciplines from the main programme until August 1, 2009, as long as these events have not been fully booked up. Go to http://www.seniorgames2009.com.
Recreational sports programme
At least 1,000 participants are expected to enter the recreational programme.
The one-day to four-day cycling and walking tours are open to participants of all ages. Special diving, Nordic walking and line dance courses are offered to people over fifty. Entry for these sports closes on September 1.
Senior Games for everyone
A venue will be set up in Sportpunt Zeeland in Goes where there will be several activities such as presentations, sports clinics, demonstrations, live music, an international korfball match, the “WielerSportCultuur” exhibit about the cycling sports culture, and a sports health forum. On Thursday evening, the Celebration of the Athletes will be held. This is a party for all sportsmen and sportswoman, their families, the volunteers, the sponsors and other interested parties.
Source: Senior Games 2009
Youth to Fight Obesity With World’s Largest Exercise Class
Children around the world exercise in unison for 21st annual Project ACES Day
Millions of children in schools across the globe will walk, jog, bike or play games on May 6 as a part of Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) Day. This Youth Fitness Coalition (YFC) signature program, in partnership with American College of Sports Medicine’s Exercise is Medicine(TM) initiative, promotes physical activity to children in order to decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity.
Created in 1989 by physical education teacher Len Saunders as a method of motivating children to exercise, Project ACES Day takes place on the first Wednesday each May as part of Exercise is Medicine(TM) Month, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and National Physical Education Week. Project ACES Clubs continue to promote physical activity all year long by pledging to create youth fitness programs in their schools.
“For more than 20 years, Project ACES’ programs have been organized and conducted by the YFC. We hope to not only get kids active now, but also educate them about the importance of physical fitness throughout their lifetime,” said H.J. Saunders, Youth Fitness Coalition Founder and President.
In the past, Project ACES events have taken place in all 50 states and countries around the world, such as England, South Africa, Poland, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Liberia and Taiwan.
Putnam School in Marietta, Ohio, has been participating in Project ACES events for more than 10 years.
“Our school’s jump rope team leads warm-up exercises, and then we exercise as a group on our playground,” said Barb Moberg, a physical education teacher at Putnam School. “We host special guests like the mayor, YMCA fitness instructors and school board members. We also encourage friends and families to join in. The whole celebration demonstrates how fitness can mean more than running a few laps.”
Patrick Clark, an educator at the Key Learning Community River Campus in Indianapolis, says Project ACES and other programs play a key role in educating children about the importance of physical activity.
“These activities give students a chance to move around during the school day, and they often find that exercise can be fun,” Clark said.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 engage in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening exercises.
Additional Exercise is Medicine(TM) Month events in May continue to promote the message of the importance of physical activity to physicians, fitness professionals, members of the public, organizations and businesses.
For more information on Exercise is Medicine(TM) and how to get involved with Project ACES, visit www.exerciseismedicine.org and www.projectaces.com.
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 35,000 international, national, and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.
The Youth Fitness Coalition is a New Jersey-based non-profit organization committed to combating childhood obesity by making exercise programs fun and by educating children, parents and teachers about the importance of lifelong fitness and making healthy lifestyle choices.
Source: American College of Sports Medicine