CAC partners with GK SipaG

Coaches Across Continents (CAC) partners with Gawad Kalinga SipaG
By: Marlyn Importante

Gawad Kalinga SipaG (GK SipaG) program commits to support for three years the Coaches Across Continents (CAC) award winning initiative “Hat-Trick Program”, which includes annual On-Field coaching education as well as Off-Field support to develop a sustainable community through sports. GK SipaG is one of Gawad Kalinga’s platforms of solidarity for Child and Youth Development. It utilizes sports, primarily football, futsal, and street football to develop the character, leadership, and life skills of marginalized Filipino youth in areas where GK operates. In line with this commitment, the 2017 leg of On-Field training was conducted in two venues. The first leg was conducted at GK AFC Village, Palo Leyte from August 20th to August 26th while the second and final leg was conducted at Narciso Bernardo Gym, Mandaluyong City from September 3 until September 9th.

Coaches Across Continents (CAC), the global leaders in sports for social impact sent their two internationally-based community impact coaches, Prateek Syangden (from Childreach Nepal) and Charlie Crawford, who passionately mentored the participants on how they can use football as a tool in developing life skills and values, as well as, in addressing community issues. Charlie Crawford shared, “The idea of this training is to work with local teachers and coaches. To show them how sports can be used in so much more than competition and discipline. Sports can be used to help kids understand issues such as child rights, gender equity, math problem solving and so much more.” The participants enjoyed their first-ever football-related interactive training. It also created in them a better appreciation of the sport as they are able to realize on how it can be used to create social impact.