Rahul Dravid and Steve Waugh visit Urban Academy inspired coaches in East London
by activecn
Photo (C) Laureus
London, UK: Wednesday 16 July 2014 -
Young cricket leaders and school pupils met cricket legends Steve Waugh and Rahul Dravid in east London this week as part of an event celebrating the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Urban Academy, founded by Laureus partner Active Communities Network.
Waugh and Dravid were at the Christ Church C of E School on Brick Lane in Tower Hamlets where they spoke with four young cricket leaders – Iftikhar Ahmed, Jakir Hussain, Ruhin Ahmed and Rahi Robiul – all from a project modelled on the Urban Academy which came from the successful UK-wide Urban Stars programme, delivered by Active Communities Network.
The Urban Academy has trained many young leaders over the last three years, sharing best practice within the sport for development sector and linking in with a large network of organisations to help improve the lives of young people throughout the UK by offering progression routes for young people moving through projects, as well as new courses to benefit the wider workforce operating in the sport for development field.
Dravid, who retired from international cricket in 2012 and who now works with the Rajasthan Royals team on their youth and talent initiatives, was unveiled at the school as the 47th, and newest, member of the Laureus World Sports Academy – a unique collection of the world’s greatest living sportsmen and sportswomen who volunteer their services as global ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which was set up to promote the use of sport as a tool for social change.
Alongside fellow Academy Member Steve Waugh, Dravid played and coaches cricket with the young coaches and pupils before taking part in a question and answer session ahead of Dravid being presented with his member’s certificate to recognise his addition to the academy.
Shinead Philpott, Laureus Urban Stars National Programme Manager, Active Communities Network said: “Thanks to funding from the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation we have been able to not only expand Urban Stars from a pilot to national programme, but have been able to create and sustain, long-term, the Urban Academy.
“The Urban Academy underlines our commitment to progressing participants and volunteers within our projects, and more broadly to up-skilling the youth and community sports workforce and wider networks.
“As part of contributing to this network our skills are utilised internationally within the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation project portfolio as well within the wider sport for development community and the work at Christ Church C of E School highlights how young people can progress from participating in sports sessions to becoming young leaders.”
Julian Morant, Headteacher, Christ Church C of E School, said: “It’s great for our children to be able to play with some internationally-renowned cricketers and have a workshop with them as well.
“This is all about ambition today; it’s about raising expectations, it’s about what can happen with dedication and hard work and with a really, really strong support network.”
Victor Odulate, Programme Manager, Active Communities Network said: “Urban Stars works across London to provide sporting opportunities and, as like Urban Academy, is about getting engagement and using the positive reaction from sport to look at the bigger picture.
“These young coaches are a great example of this and how they are can use sport for positive outcomes within their own communities.”
Rahul Dravid, former Indian test captain and newest Laureus Academy member said: “It is a great privilege to be invited to join the Academy and I look forward to supporting the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. I am truly honoured to be recognised alongside some of the greatest sportsmen and women we have ever seen.
“Sport has given me so much, and it is wonderful to now have the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives – to use sport to help young people is a great privilege.”
Steve Waugh, former Australian cricket captain and Laureus Academy Member said: “The ACN (Active Communities Network) project is fantastic and we have some coaches here who are giving back to the kids who have been brought up in this environment and are giving back to the local community.
“The kids are playing cricket and are really enjoying themselves; they’ve bought into the spirit of what it’s all about and have listened to the coaches, learning a bit about sport but, more importantly, learning how to get on with each other which translates not only into sport but school life and life after school.
“On behalf of all the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy I would like to welcome Rahul. He shares with all of us in the Academy the belief about how effective sport can be in tackling problems and bringing people together which is at the heart of the Laureus philosophy.”
