Commonwealth Games Canada has been involved in over 125 sport for development and sport development projects in over 30 countries around the world. Brief summaries of some of these projects are given below which includes: their geographic location, partners involved, and the associated CGC initiative.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights sport as “an important enabler of sustainable development”. It recognizes the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect, and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and girls, young people, individuals, and communities, as well as to health, education, gender equality and social inclusion objectives. Thanks to the generous support of the Government and Canada and our other donors, CGC is proud to be one of the world’s pioneers of international sport for development and sport development work.
Go Sisters
- Africa
- Zambia
Partners: EduSport Foundation, Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF), UK Sport
Initiatives: Beyond the Podium
Go Sisters promotes gender equality and empowers young female leaders by increasing opportunities for Zambian females to play sport and develop leadership skills. The program focuses on increasing the understanding of, and promotion of human rights; specifically the rights of women in society, the right to education, and the right to rest and play. CGC provided funding and oversight for the Go Sisters program.
High Performance Academy Consulting
- Africa
- Botswana
Partners: Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI
Initiatives: Sport Leaders Abroad Program
CGC worked with members of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa Zone VI to review their academy model, assist in operational planning, and provide advice on athlete and coach selection methodologies.
High Performance Training and Capacity Building
- Africa
- Kenya
Partners: International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) High Performance Training Centre
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
CGC supported elite runners and assisted the training centre with refining organizational structures and securing additional funding to host athletes from other African countries.
Inclusive Sport and Capacity Building
- Africa
- Zambia
Partners: International Paralympic Committee (IPC), National Paralympic Committee of Zambia (NPCZ), Sports Coaches’ Outreach (SCORE) Zambia, UK Sport
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
CGC worked with NPCZ, SCORE, and UK Sport members to develop and deliver programing that promoted equality and acceptance of people with disabilities of all ages. It involved liaising with club, provincial, and national level organizations, as well as helping to establish a National Certified Coaching Program working with NGOs, disabled sport organizations, and government departments.
Jump Rope for Heart
- Caribbean & Americas
- Trinidad and Tobago
Partners: Trinidad & Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education (TTASPE, now known as the Caribbean Sport and Development Agency (CSDA))
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Jump Rope for Heart is a national healthy lifestyle project that targets elementary school age children, including persons with disabilities. It is based on using sport as a medium to address social issues associated with youth at risk and is hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education (TTASPE, now known as the Caribbean Sport and Development Agency (CSDA)). CGC developed and delivered content for the Jump Rope for Heart program.
Kampala Community Sport Development
- Africa
- Uganda
Partners: African Regional Youth Initiative (ARYI)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Working with ARYI, CGC helped implement a sport for development program which included a sport and physical education program combined with HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention training. This included leading the development of a girls’ basketball league and youth learn to swim programs.
Kicking AIDS Out! (KAO)
- Africa
- Botswana
- Africa
- Lesotho
- Africa
- South Africa
- Africa
- Tanzania
- Africa
- Zambia
- Africa
- Swaziland
- Caribbean & Americas
- Barbados
- Caribbean & Americas
- Trinidad and Tobago
Partners: EMIMA (Elimu Michezo na Mazoezi- Education, Sport and Physical Activity Promotion), Kicking Aids Out! (KAO) Network, Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC), National Sport Council of Zambia (NSCZ), South East District Youth Empowerment League (SEDYEL), Sports Coaches’ Outreach (SCORE), Swaziland Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA), Trinidad & Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education (TTASPE, now known as the Caribbean Sport and Development Agency (CSDA)), Barbados Olympic Association (BOA)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Kicking AIDS Out is an international network of organizations working together using sport and physical activity to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and motivate behavioural change. Programs implemented by member organizations integrate sport and life skills through movement games, role plays, drama, and other cultural and recreational activities which encourage peers to discuss issues that affect their lives and communities. Kicking AIDS Out develops programs to train coaches, trainers and leaders, building capacity at the individual, organizational and community level. CGC was involved in developing and delivering Kicking AIDS Out content in Africa and the Caribbean.
Kip Keino Children’s Home
- Africa
- Kenya
Partners: Kip Keino Children’s Home
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
The Kip Keino Children’s Home provides the basic necessities of food, shelter, and education in an environment where children can grow up with love and relative comfort, and help enable them to care for those around them. CGC’s project with the Children’s Home focused on capacity building and using sport to help develop youth leadership, alleviate the negative effects of poverty, and enhance environmental awareness and action.
Leaders in Training (LIT)
- Africa
- Swaziland
Partners: Australian Sports Commission (ASC), Brock University, Swaziland Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps, Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program
CGC co-developed the Leaders in Training (LIT) program with SOCGA members and has been involved in its implementation throughout. LIT’s vision is to empower youth to run grassroots sport development activities in their communities with a special focus on the inclusion of women and girls. After receiving training in leadership, life skills, HIV/AIDS education, coaching, physical activity and sexual health, the youth leaders organize development through sport activities and act as mentors for their peers and children in the community.
Learn to Swim
- Caribbean & Americas
- Barbados
- Caribbean & Americas
- Jamaica
- Caribbean & Americas
- Trinidad and Tobago
Partners: Paralympic Association of Barbados, Barbados Red Cross Society, The Royal Life Saving Society (Jamaica), Trinidad & Tobago Lifesaving Society
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
CGC developed and taught learn to swim programs for children, youth, and adults, including those with disabilities. Red Cross safety courses for prospective lifeguards were also provided.
Mafube Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Program
- Africa
- Lesotho
Partners: Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
CGC supported the Mafube Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Program which helps marginalized children in Lesotho’s four districts as part of the Olympafrica Youth Ambassador Program (OYAP). Through the Mafube program, OYAP ambassadors travel into the communities and run sports activities and games where these vulnerable youth congregate. The program provides street kids the opportunity to have fun, while providing them basic HIV/AIDS and healthy lifestyle education through sport activities.
Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA)
- Africa
- Kenya
Partners: Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Founded by Canadian Bob Munro in 1987, MYSA has been working in the slums of Mathare outside Nairobi, using sport to provide young people the skills and confidence to improve their lives. MYSA is run by, and for, the over 30,000 young people who take part in its activities and combine their passion for sport with health education and a strong community commitment. CGC has supported the organization’s development through sport initiatives as well as arranged a south-south partnership with the Ramotswa Youth Sport Association (RYSA).
Meraka-Herd Boys
- Africa
- Lesotho
Partners: Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Meraka-Herd Boys, a component of the Olympafrica Youth Ambassador Program (OYAP), supports Basotho shepherd boys, many of whom are orphans, by educating them about health and social issues facing youth in a safe environment through the power of sport. CGC helped organize and deliver the program in communities throughout Lesotho.
Moving the Goalposts Kilifi
- Africa
- Kenya
Partners: Moving the Goalposts Kilifi
Initiatives: Sport Leaders Abroad Program
Moving the Goalposts Kilifi empowers girls in Kenya’s communities through football training, leagues, games, and coaching programs, and educates participants about safe sexual practices. CGC assisted with the organization’s branding and communications strategy, collateral development, social media outreach, and website development.
Multi-purpose Sporting Facility Plan
- Caribbean & Americas
- Barbados
Partners: Barbados Olympic Association (BOA)
Initiatives: Commonwealth Sport Development Program
Working with public and private stakeholders, a SportWORKS Officer helped create a plan to develop a multi-purpose sporting facility.
Namibia Volunteer Involvement Program (NAM-VIP)
- Africa
- Namibia
Partners: Sports Coaches’ Outreach (SCORE) Namibia, UK Sport, Namibia Volunteer Involvement Program (NAM-VIP)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
The Namibia Volunteer Involvement Program (NAM-VIP) was designed to increase community leadership and organizational capacity throughout the country. Its goal is to recruit and retain volunteer sport leaders through education and recognition, and to increase community sport participation with a focus on the promotion of: healthy lifestyles, HIV/AIDS awareness, gender equality, and youth leadership. CGC was involved in the program’s development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as mentoring and supporting volunteers within the communities and schools and building further contacts.
National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Development- Colombia
- Caribbean & Americas
- Colombia
Partners: National Paralympic Committee of Colombia
Initiatives: Sport Leaders Abroad Program
CGC conducted strategic planning workshops with the National Paralympic Committee of Colombia to help improve their organizational structure and expand their programs to assist disabled athletes.
National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Development- Guyana
- Caribbean & Americas
- Guyana
Partners: Guyana Paralympic Organization (GPO)
Initiatives: Sport Leaders Abroad Program
CGC assisted in the development of the GPO’s 2012 Action Plan as part of its aspiration to become a recognized organization within the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Workshops assisted the GPO in the areas of: capacity building, strategic planning and development of administrative roles and responsibilities for their officers.
National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Development- Jamaica
- Caribbean & Americas
- Jamaica
Partners: Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA)
Initiatives: Sport Leaders Abroad Program
CGC conducted working sessions with the Jamaica Paralympic Association which covered topics such as: strategic business planning, Paralympic sport development approaches, marketing and promotional strategies, and governance practices.
National Sport Resource Centre
- Africa
- Seychelles
Partners: Seychelles National Olympic Committee (SNOC)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
CGC partnered with the Seychelles National Olympic Committee to set up a National Sport Resource Centre which included soliciting donations such as books, computers, and other support materials. Associated child-friendly content and an after school program were also developed.
New Life Organization (NEWLO)
- Caribbean & Americas
- Grenada
Partners: New Life Organization (NEWLO)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Situated in three centres, NEWLO is a vocational training program which helps 14-24 year olds who have been unable to succeed in the traditional education system. NEWLO uses a holistic curriculum which first teaches basic academic skills followed by hands-on vocational expertise such as masonry, plumbing, hospitality, office skills, etc. CGC helped add a physical education component to NEWLO’s programing to further instill self-esteem and self-respect amongst its participants. This consisted of integrated physical education programs, sports days, and other extracurricular activities such as intramurals, tournaments and competitive teams.
Olympafrica Youth Ambassadors Program (OYAP)
- Africa
- Lesotho
Partners: Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC), Lesotho National Volunteer Commission, Lesotho Sport and Recreation Committee (SRC), UK Sport
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
The Olympafrica Youth Ambassador Program (OYAP) is a youth volunteer program focused on empowering young people through sport to facilitate a positive change in their communities. OYAP uses sport as a platform to help address health and social issues affecting young people in Lesotho such as poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS, and gender equality. CGC assisted in the development and delivery of OYAP and its subprograms which include; Girls on the Move (GOTM), Sports for Life, Mafube Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Program, and Meraka-Herd Boys.
Olympic Clubs
- Africa
- Seychelles
Partners: Seychelles National Olympic Academy (SNOA), Seychelles National Olympic Committee (SNOC)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Working with the SNOA and SNOC, CGC supported the national launch of Olympic Clubs whose goal is to provide thousands of children in every school in the nation the opportunity to play and learn about the benefits of sport and physical education. The program is based around the six Olympic ideals: mass participation: sport as education, fair play, international understanding and world peace, harmonious education of the whole person, and excellence. It aims to help address key social and health issues facing us today such as: HIV/AIDS, the environment, gender equality, global conflict, and racism.
Olympic Ideals
- Caribbean & Americas
- Barbados
Partners: Barbados Olympic Association (BOA)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
CGC organized symposiums and workshops to promote the Olympic ideals. By blending sport with culture and education, Olympism promotes a way of life based on: the balanced development of mind, body, and character; the joy found in effort; the educational value of being a good role model for others; and observing the universal ethics of tolerance, generosity, unity, friendship, non-discrimination, and respect for others. Through the program, national athletes taught children about the ideals of sport and fair play, as well as issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention.
Organization of Caribbean Administrators of Sport and Physical Education (OCASPE) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
- Caribbean & Americas
- Guyana
Partners: Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), Organization of Caribbean Administrators of Sport and Physical Education (OCASPE)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
CGC helped facilitate the creation of the Organization of Caribbean Administrators of Sport and Physical Education (OCASPE) and develop its strategic plan. OCASPE promotes regional cooperation, exchange of ideas and information, and networking in the field of sport and physical education. Most Directors of Sport from Caribbean governments have cited the establishment of OCASPE as the most desirable and significant contribution in regional sport development.
Physically Active Youth (PAY)
- Africa
- Namibia
Partners: Ministry of Youth, Sport, National Service and Culture (Namibia), Physically Active Youth (PAY) Namibia, Sports Coaches’ Outreach (SCORE), UK Sport, University of Namibia
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
Physically Active Youth (PAY) is a comprehensive after-school program that targets high school youth-at-risk performing poorly in school, in particular those earmarked to fail their Grade 10 exams. PAY helps enable participants to: realize their personal and professional potential, gain respect and self-esteem, and participate fully in society. The program provides a combination of academic tutoring, physical activity, recreation, community engagement, and life skills training. CGC supported PAY for many years in a broad range of activities.
Playing for Freedom (Jugando Por La Libertad)
- Caribbean & Americas
- Brazil
- Caribbean & Americas
- Colombia
- Caribbean & Americas
- USA
Partners: Nukanti Foundation for Children
Initiatives: Sport Leaders Abroad Program
Jugando por la Libertad uses capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, as a tool for engaging, educating, and empowering youth. As capoeira originated amongst socially excluded groups, it has principles such as inclusion, equality, and respect at its core. The program helps youth affected by extreme violence, poverty, and forced displacement, by: building a community, teaching life values and social skills, and providing opportunities for personal development. CGC helped members of Jugando por la Libertad with strategic planning and event planning, through workshops and one-on-one consultation.
Prevention of Unwanted Pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections among Young People through Sport and Leisure in the City of Kigali Project
- Africa
- Rwanda
Partners: AKWOS
Initiatives: Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program
CSC supports the Association of Kigali Women in Sports (AKWOS) to empower East-African women, starting from Rwanda, through sports and education.
Program for Adolescent Mothers (PAM)
- Caribbean & Americas
- Grenada
Partners: Grenada Netball Association, Grenada Save the Children (GRENSAVE)
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
The Program for Adolescent Mothers (PAM) offers pregnant adolescents and teenage mothers opportunities to complete their educational studies and develop their personal and professional skills through an integrated program of academics, skills training, and personal development. CGC helped develop and teach PAM’s health classes, as well as provided counseling support.
Project Strong
- Caribbean & Americas
- Barbados
- Caribbean & Americas
- Dominica
- Caribbean & Americas
- Grenada
- Caribbean & Americas
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Caribbean & Americas
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Caribbean & Americas
- Trinidad and Tobago
Partners: Barbados Child Care Board, National Council on Substance Abuse (Barbados) , Ministry of Youth, Sports & Community Development (Grenada), Ministry of Youth Sport and Community Affairs (St. Kitts), Ministries of Education and Telecommunications (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Organization of Caribbean Administrators of Sport and Physical Education (OCASPE), Trinidad & Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education (TTASPE, now known as the Caribbean Sport and Development Agency (CSDA))
Initiatives: Canadian Sport Leadership Corps, Commonwealth Sport Development Program
Through a program combining sports, cultural activities, and vocational training, Project Strong offers basic education to youth who have failed to stay in the structured school system and equips them with employable skills while developing their self-esteem. CGC was the coordinating agency to facilitate this program working with the Project Strong Working Committee and the Organization of Caribbean Administrators of Sport and Physical Education (OCASPE). The program was piloted in St. Kitts and has since grown throughout the Caribbean.
