Sport and play are key ingredients in SA4D’s holistic approach to individual and collective development. By including sport and play in our programmes, we bring people together, enhance learning, and support children and young people in acquiring skills to overcome the challenges of daily life. We view sport as being a school for life – performance is secondary.
Since the years 2000, sport has been increasingly recognised as having the potential to enact social change and to contribute to the SDGs. A strong scientific basis shows the positive impact sport and play-based programmes have, when they are thoughtfully designed, based on a sound theory of change and well managed. Consequently, the role of sport as an enabler for sustainable development and peace was acknowledged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
With two decades of successful experiences in implementing sport and play-based programmes, SA4D firmly believes in the power of sport and play to support children and young people’s development, ensuring they have the opportunities and conditions to thrive, reach their full potential, and contribute positively to their communities.
Our definition of sport and play
We promote the use of movement-based activities in a structured and purposeful way. This ranges from playful, interactive to physically more intense activities.
We understand sport and play as all forms of group-based physical activity and games that aim to enhance the wellbeing, life skills and learning of the participants, while at the same time enabling them to experience positive social interactions and to form supportive relationships, in a safe environment.
How we use sport and play
We see sport and play as a means and never as an end. Through sport and play, we contribute to promoting individual development, teaching life skills and values, enabling physical health and mental wellbeing, improving education, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and economic development, as well as assist in increasing social cohesion and inclusion, and fostering environmental awareness.
After having assessed the needs of the target groups, in collaboration with our implementing partners, we design and set the project objectives, carefully deciding where to embed sport and play and what other approaches are needed to complement the benefits, as we are aware that sport alone cannot ensure development, create peace or solve complex social problems.
During project implementation, we develop contextually adapted curricula and train the trainers on how to use our methodology, how to create a safe, protected atmosphere and how to include all participants in the activities.
Our project models have been field-tested and with relevant adaptations, proven effective in a variety of contexts and with different target groups.
Why is sport and play important
With sport and play, SA4D provides children and young people with equal access to project activities. More than contributing to SDG’s, sport promotes values and skills such as mutual respect and resolving conflicts together, as well as strengthening self-confidence.
Click here to see examples of sport & play activities:
