- Global Partners
As a leader and convener of the sports-based youth development sector (SBYD) and in response to the COVID-19 shut down earlier this year, Laureus USA launched Laureus Virtual Training Camp, a series of online trainings and discussions that allowed SBYD professionals to stay connected and grow during these challenging time. Since April 2020, we have hosted 11 of these virtual events and seen over 800 individuals across the country and even the world participate and many professional athletes join us to provide a welcome. These trainings have ranged on topics from How to Engage Youth Virtually to Anti-Racism and Sport and provided a much-needed platform for leaders in our sector to continue to invest in themselves and their craft.
Date: Wednesday, December 9th, 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: A Celebration of Sport for Good!
Summary:
Our last Virtual Training Camp was a chance to reflect and share with like-minded colleagues about the successes and learnings from 2020 despite the many challenges our sector faced. We loved celebrating the power of sport and ending the year on a positive note while also looking ahead to 2021. We enjoyed playing team-building games led by our friends at Playworks! We loved ending the year with our #SportforGood family!
To view our highlight video click here.
Date: Tuesday, October 27th, 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: How to Support and Engage Girls through Sport During These Times
Summary:
We know sport, when used intentionally, can be an incredible tool to engage girls and help develop them into strong, confident young women. We also know that the challenges currently facing girls, especially girls of color and girls in under resourced communities, have made it harder than ever for them to participate and stay engaged in sport programs. Many sport based youth development organizations have been working hard to support girls in their communities during these times and have developed useful strategies and tools which we are excited to discuss in our next #LaureusVirtualCamp.
We are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at the Women’s Sports Foundation who have been supporting girls in sport for over 40 years to highlight some amazing practitioners in the space who have been navigating the tricky landscape of COVID-19 and racial injustice to meet and reach girls where they are. This event will also include a conversation with a participant from Figure Skating in Harlem and breakout discussions.
Athlete Welcome: Jazmyn Jackson, Professional Softball Player Team USA, Participant in Inaugural Athlete’s Unlimited season
Panelists:
Meghan Morgan: Executive Director, Girls in the Game
Lindsey Cronin Kittredge: Co-Founder and Executive Director, Shooting Touch
Sybil Smith: Executive Director, Sloane Stephens Foundation
To view a recording of the session click here.
Date: Thursday, August 20th 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Supporting Disability Inclusion in Youth Sports: What You Should Know and What You Can Do
Summary:
This Laureus Virtual Training Camp, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Sports Diplomacy Division, is designed to provide program leaders, coaches and practitioners in the SBYD (sports-based youth development) space domestically and internationally with resources to enhance their understanding of disability inclusion. This event will serve as a launchpad to further recruit and engage youth with disabilities in sports programs. This Virtual Training Camp will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide attendees with information on how the ADA can support them in ensuring all young people have access to sport.
This event will include a panel of disability rights experts and practitioners with a focus on sports as well as a Q&A break-out session with other attendees.
Panelists:
Daniel Gomez: Founder and Managing Director of Surfeando Sonrisas- Disability Surfing
Bob Lujano: Laureus Ambassador, Paralympian and Information Specialist, Lakeshore Foundation
Eli A. Wolff: Director, Power of Sport Lab
Moderator: Dr Anjali Forber-Pratt– Paralympic Medalist and Asst. Professor, Peabody College
With a Special Welcome by: Ann Cody, Senior Advisor on Disability Rights, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
To view a recording of the session click here.
Date: June 30th 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Anti-Racism and SBYD: Resources and Ways Forward for Coaches and Organizations
Summary:
This Laureus Virtual Training Camp provided program leaders, coaches and practitioners in the SBYD space with resources to enhance their racial equity practices and further empower black youth in their programs. We recognize sports power to tackle racial discrimination and promote social justice and know that many the SBYD organizations are executing this work on a daily basis. To continue to support our network the camp provided a forum for discussion on what is being done and what more can be done to enhance racial equity within sport for development.
The event included a panel of racial justice experts and practitioners, followed by breakout discussions.
Panelists:
Dr. Akilah Carter-Francique
Executive Director Institute for the Study of Sport, Society, and Social Change, San Jose State University
Jamall Kinard
Executive Director, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance and Trainer at Racial Equity Institute
Dr. Nicole Caridad Ralston
Associate Director of Education & Programming, Beloved Community
To view a recording of the session click here.
Date: Thursday, May 21st 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Building an Education Program within SBYD
Led By: Partnership for After School Education (PASE)
Athlete Welcome: Edwin Moses, Olympic Gold Medalist and Chairman of Laureus USA
To view the recording click here.
To view the presentation information click here.
Laureus Virtual Training Camp Session Seven
Thursday, May 14th 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Power to the Young People: Authentic Yoth Engagement
Led by: Dr. Rashida Govan, New Orleans Youth Alliance
Athlete Welcome: Simone Biles, Most Decorated American Gymnast
Laureus Virtual Training Camp Session Six
Thursday, May 7th 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Healing-Centered Environments: The Unique Power of Sport and Physical Activity
Led by: WeCoach
Athlete Welcome: Daniel Gafford, Chicago Bulls
Laureus Virtual Training Camp Session Five
Thursday, April 30th 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Social Emotional Learning in These Critical Times
Led by: Dr. Kim Flores and Sally Munemitsu, Co-Founders of Algorhythm (Hello Insights)
Athlete Welcome: E’Twaun Moore, New Orleans Pelicans
Laureus Virtual Training Camp Session Four
Thursday, April 23rd 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Keeping the Connection
Led by: Dianna Cutaia, Coaching Peace
Athlete Welcome: Allyson Felix, Olympic Champion and Laureus Ambassador
Laureus Virtual Training Camp Session Three
Thursday, April 16th 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Bridging Divides Online
Led by: Sally Nnamani and Rochelle Coleman, PeacePlayers
Athlete Welcome: Ibtihaj Muhammad, Olympic Bronze Medalist and Laureus Ambassador
Laureus Virtual Training Camp Session Two
Thursday, April 9th 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: How to Work Effectively From Home
Led by: Lou Bergholz, Edgework Consulting
Athlete Welcome:Nadia Comaneci, Gymnastics Icon and Laureus Academy Member
Laureus Virtual Training Camp Session One
Thursday, April 2nd 11am-12:30pm EST
Title: Taking Our Own Advice: Applying Lessons from SBYD to Help Coaches in Social Isolation
Led by: Andy Neilsen, Up2Us Sports
Athlete Welcome: Chris Paul, NBA All-Star and Laureus Ambassador
Follow Us