Leadership is one of the most important aspects athletes and coaches can take away from sports. Whether through coaching or wearing the captains arm band, both positions can invoke growth or teammates and those involved. A great example of this is Terry Behan. His foundation, Africa Leadership Initiative (ALI) has helped promote social change in the country of Africa. Through using soccer and the help of Brazilian soccer great Pele, they have helped change the life of over thousands of African children.
Since the launch of the program in 2003, Behan and company have been raised of 5 million dollars for the foundation by partnering with Standard Bank and Mastercard to proceed the African Eagles, a soccer academy develop through the program. Behan stated, “We believe we can create a world-class soccer academy that benefits the underprivileged, promotes holistic values, and produces talented, educated, and morally and socially minded young players who will … make the nation proud.” The programs ability to provide not only soccer mentoring but also life training gives players the tools they need to succeed on and of the field. It is because of people like this that children who ordinarily would lack the resources to lead normal life’s can proceed with brighter futures.
I stress that parents of youth soccer players and wealth individuals who want to shape their children and friends to contribute to programs such as this as well as start new ones whenever and wherever it is possible.
ALI Website – http://www.aspeninstitute.org/node/3044
It's A Pitch, Not A Field 