Academics commended by the Israeli Sports Authority

Physical Education lecturers from the School of Sport and Service Management were commended by the Israeli Sport Authority in a ceremony at the German Sports University based in Cologne following their contribution to a five day ‘Sport for Life’ training event which involved 50 Arab and Jewish Israeli sports leaders.

Dr Gary Stidder, Warren Smart and Simon Green delivered a series of practical sessions based on the University of Brighton’s pioneering and ground-breaking Football 4 Peace Curriculum and Methodology and were given special commendations by Regional Director for the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sport Gazi Nujeidat at a Gala dinner event.

Sessions included orienteering, trust games and problem solving activities as well as football, basketball and volleyball. The purpose was to provide values-based activities designed to promote trust, respect, responsibility, equity and inclusion in preparation for a large national event in Israel in June for boys and girls from different Arab and Jewish communities.

Dr Gary Stidder, Co-founder and Deputy Director of Football 4 Peace International said:”It was an honour for all us to receive this award in recognition for our work with Football 4 Peace (F4P) and the Israel Sports Authority and is testament to the impact that values-based teaching in physical education can have on societies where there are deep social divisions.

“F4P is a multi-dimensional research; education and social engagement platform that utilizes sport innovatively to deliver generic and bespoke ‘values-based’ palliative training and coaching programmes designed in and for areas suffering from high levels of cross- community conflict and various forms of political disorder and social disintegration.

“The F4P curriculum and associated teaching resources emphasise a holistic approach to the education of trainers and young people through a specific pedagogical model designed to promote emotional well-being, personal development and responsible citizenship.”