In partnership with Slum Soccer, M.R. MATRICULTUTION H.R. SEC. SCHOOL, CHENNAI, INDIA, is the first school in India to twin their playing pitch with Flanders Peace Field, Mesen, Belgium, site of The First World War Christmas Truces. Over one million Indian troops served overseas, of whom 62,000 died and another 67,000 were wounded. In total at least 74,187 Indian soldiers died during the war. In World War I the Indian Army fought against the German Empire in German East Africa and on the Western Front. M.G, Prabhakaran, said, ‘It was a great day for all the children to remember’. Ernie Brennan, NCFA, CEO, said, ‘It was a great day to witness the first school India twin their peace pitch with Flanders, Peace Fields. The football match after the ceremony was played in the spirit of sportsmanship and friendship’ Vijaya Selvaraj, Slum Soccer Coach, said, ‘This Peace Pitch is an important legacy connecting Chennai, India, with the soldiers of The First World War.’

UPDATE 09/10/23

The center is not working at the moment due to the current situation.  We hope to resume the work again soon.

Danielle Bild, Project Manager.

28/08/19

Information about the Peres Centre and the work that the PC do?

The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation was founded in 1996 by the Ninth President of Israel and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Shimon Peres, and is dedicated to advancing his vision of a prosperous Israel within a peaceful Middle East. The Peres Center is a leading non-profit NGO that, together with local, regional and international partners, develops and implements unique and cutting-edge programs serving hundreds of thousands of participants to date of all ages, religions, genders and cultural backgrounds. Programs focuses include medicine and healthcare, business and entrepreneurship, education, and innovation.

Who are the children that will benefit from playing on a Peace Pitch. Where do they live and what kind of schools do they attend?

The Peres Center’s Sport in the Service of Peace programs work with schoolchildren who are children ages 8-14. We work across Israel and the West Bank, bringing together Jewish and Arab, Israeli and Palestinian boys and girls. We focus on Israel’s social and geographic periphery as well as the West Bank, both of which consist of often underserved communities. The majority of the youth participating in our programs tend to come from relatively low-income backgrounds, and are those with the fewest opportunities to meet their peers from the “other” side.

Why is peace education through sport important to all children in Israel.

“When you are on the football pitch you are a team player – not a Muslim, Jew or Christian. Sport knows no boundaries and sees no culture or religion. Sport is an international language that unites us all.” – Shimon Peres.

The “other,” when unknown, may be perceived as intimidating and frightening. Lack of contact and positive interaction intensifies these fears. As Arab and Jewish, Israeli and Palestinian children and youth on both sides are severely affected by conflict, they are highly susceptible to developing negative perceptions of the “other.” In addition, lack of extracurricular activities for social and geographic periphery communities creates an opportunity to provide a win-win situation, both for healthy, positive activities and for peacebuilding. As the future of the region, they have the most to gain from the development of durable peace, and it is thus crucial to engage them in peace education programming. From the values of teamwork and common goals to shared struggles and victories, sport has the power to unite youth from different cultures. In a language understood by all, Jewish and Arab, Israeli and Palestinian boys and girls come together under the common banner of sport, cheering for one another and building lasting friendships.

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The recent visit of Prince William highlighted the great work of the Perez Centre.  Everyone at the NCFA are excited to work in partnership at the centre to create the first peace pitch in Israel.  The Perez Centre will be an important stakeholder in the ever growing International Children’s Football Alliance, which aims to promote peace and protect childhood through play.

Peace and goodwill were very much the cornerstone of the Prince’s visit to Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish soccer game in the historic city, today part of the Tel Aviv metropolis. The event was hosted by the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and the Equalizer organization, which both work to bring young people together across religious and ethnic boundaries, the Equalizer focusing particularly on sports.

The Prince showed off his soccer skills, taking penalty shots against some of the young people who had just played a short match against one another. As an Englishman, he was always going to miss the first one. But the prince dispatched the second to cheers from onlookers.

Globalpeacegames2019girlsnight2019

UPDATE 12/06/24

Commemorating D DAY and celebrating peace

UPDATE 03/11/23

Dear Soccer friends and families,

Please join us for a day filled with soccer fun at Doc Myers Park in beautiful Hobe Sound for our Annual Peace Field Project Games. Venue: William G “Doc” Myers Park 10000, Old Dixy Hwy, Hobe Sound, 33455.

Festival Day: Saturday December 16th 2023. come for the day or just come for a while.

Opening Ceremony will be at 9am and our fun packed day ends with a closing at 4pm.

There will be parents and children clinics from Top Florida Soccer Association coaches and lots of small sided game, along with fun activities like tug o war and skills stations.

Ages from 3 – 21 can enjoy the soccer related activities whilst making new friends from all cultures and backgrounds. NO FEE to Participate.

Teams love to visit the family friendly environment of Hobe Sound, which nestled on the Atlantic Treasure coast and surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty. Come and help us celebrate our wonderful new relationship with the International Children’s Alliance for the Peace Field Project.

History of the Peace games: The (PFP) twin’s soccer fields around the world with Flanders Peace Field, The Peace Village, Messines, Belgium, and site of the 1914, First World War, Christmas Truces, where in an act of humanitarianism, games of football were played during a truce amongst opposing forces. The (not for profit organization) delivers: The Football and Peace Project, The Peace Fields Project and The Global Peace Games; essentially peace education programs utilizing a cross curricular approach to Commemorate War and Celebrate Peace Through Play. Come visit us for the day, or bring your families to the area for an extended stay. Visit the beaches, natural Preserves and Parks that make their home in Hobe Sound. Some attractions are: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound Natural Wildlife Center, Hobe Sound Public Beach on Jupiter Island, Blowing Rocks Preserve and Historic Downtown Hobe Sound. We recommend these convenient hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Stuart, Holiday Inn Express Stuart or Hampton Inn &Suites Stuart. Hobe Sound also has plenty of family friendly dining for your convenience.

Our Festival to Promote Peace will consist of: Skill stations, Fun activities and Small sided Jamboree

Come wearing comfortable clothes for sports including shin guards and plenty of water. Concessions will be open for snacks, food, soft drinks and Icees. 

Email: doc.hssc@gmail.com  or call Julie at: 603-236-6152 to register a player or a team.

Please help us spread the word about this exciting Festival Day by sharing it on your Facebook and Instagram.

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Club President & Director of TOPSoccer Hobe Sound Soccer Club, said, ‘We are honored and very much looking forward to twinning Hobe Sound Soccer Club with Flanders Peace Field’.We will kick off the twinning of our home field William G. “Doc” Myers Park with Flanders Peace Field at our “3V3 Live” Tournament on December 29, 2018. This 3V3 tournament is open to all area Clubs and teams. We are expecting to have 40 or more teams participating in this inaugural event.  We are very much looking forward to this event. 

UPDATE 04.11.19

Peace Field Games Festival September 21st 2019 at The newly officially twinned Peace Field Venue William Doc Myers Park 10000, Old Dixie Hwy, Hobe Sound ,Fl 33455 through Hobe Sound Soccer Club and Ignite Sports Center.

Over 16 teams 5 different clubs all age groups  boys and girls and parents enjoyed the Festival of fun and commemoration of The World War One Christmas Truce.

A special attendance from  the VFW Color Guard from Hall- Brian Post 10132 Veterans Of Foreign Wars

Located at 6101 SE Dixie Hwy , Hobe Sound.

Ron Polzin Honor Guard Captain, Navy,Sal Massnro Auxiliary, Richie PILLING Marine,Larry Little Navy

Myron Gorski Army & Anthony Giannotti Navy.

Ron Polzin recited the Pledge of Allegiance and re- presented the Peace Field Declaration plaque to Hobe Sound Soccer Club/Ignite Sports Center.

Please find some pictures of the games and fun activities that were held throughout the day.

Everyone had a wonderful experience including the referees who worked with us through the whole festival.

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UPDATE 24.09.19

A DAY TO REMEMBER.

UPDATE 05.09.19

Dear Soccer friends-

Please join us for a day filled with soccer fun at Doc Myers Park in beautiful Hobe Sound for our first Annual Peace Field Project Games. Venue: William G “Doc” Myers Park 10000, Old Dixy Hwy, Hobe Sound, 33455.

Festival Day: Saturday September 21^st 2019. 9am-4pm. Ages 9-19: come for the day or just come for a while…just come! $10 per player or $75.00 per team. All Games will be small sided.

Teams love to visit the family friendly environment of Hobe Sound, which nestled on the Atlantic Treasure coast and surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty. Come and help us celebrate our wonderful new relationship with the International Children’s Alliance for the Peace Field Project.

History of the Peace games: The (PFP) twin’s soccer fields around the world with Flanders Peace Field, The Peace Village, Messines, Belgium, and site of the 1914, First World War, Christmas Truces, where in an act of humanitarianism, games of football were played during a truce amongst opposing forces. The (not for profit organization) delivers: The Football and Peace Project, The Peace Fields Project and The Global Peace Games; essentially peace education programs utilizing a cross curricular approach to Commemorate War and Celebrate Peace Through Play. Come visit us for the day, or bring your families to the area for an extended stay. Visit the beaches, natural Preserves and Parks that make their home in Hobe Sound. Some attractions are: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound Natural Wildlife Center, Hobe Sound Public Beach on Jupiter Island, Blowing Rocks Preserve and Historic Downtown Hobe Sound. We recommend these convenient hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Stuart, Holiday Inn Express Stuart or Hampton Inn &Suites Stuart. Hobe Sound also has plenty of family friendly dining for your convenience.

Our Festival to Promote Peace will consist of: Skill stations, Fun activities and Small sided Jamboree

The usual soccer attire required; including shin guards and plenty of water.  Concessions will be open for snacks, food, soft drinks and Icees. Information on the National Children Alliance and the Peace Field Project please click on the link below.

http://www.childrensfootballalliance.com/football-and-peace/international/hobe-sound-soccer-club/

Email: doc.hssc@gmail.com  or call Julie at: 603-236-6152 to register a player or a team.

Please help us spread the word about this exciting Festival Day by sharing it on your Facebook and Instagram.

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UPDATE 20/08/19

GIRLS ONLY SOCCER FUN NIGHT

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UPDATE 03/03/19

Mick Gale (left) International Children’s Football Alliance, Peace Fields Project (PFP), Ambassador, presents the Hobe Sound Soccer Club, PFP to Justine Blanckaert, The Peace Village, Messines, Belgium.  The presentation was made inside The Peace Village in front of The Christmas Truces statue.  The Hobe Sound Soccer Club PFP plaque will be mounted on The Peace Wall at The Peace Pitch which over looks the site of the 1914 Christmas Truces.

Interview

1.  Why did Hobe Sound Soccer Club twin their soccer pitch with Flanders Peace Fields

HSSC- Answer 1.

Hobe Sound Soccer Club has always been interested in outreach programs and finding other ways that soccer can be a part of life education, character building for young athletes and families.

When this opportunity came along through Ambassador Mr Mick Gale who explained to us about the National Children Alliance its ethos and how it reaches many cultures through soccer participation which ultimately can help change young lives forever in such positive ways. Our decision to want to become involved in the Peace Field Pitch Project was easy along with our alliance member Ignite Sports Centre.

The stories of the ceasefire in World War 1 the impact that soccer had created to those giving their lives for a cause greater than their own we knew we had to bring the Hobe sound Soccer Club/Ignite Sports centre and the USA in to be a part of this project.

Involving our soccer club Hobe Sound and Ignite Sports Centre, Florida ultimately led to twinning with the Soccer Pitch of Flanders in Belgium. We are proud to be a participant not only for soccer but for all the cultural and educational opportunities that this may bring hence forth our board of directors saw the magnificence and importance of a creating a connection and relationship with another Town and Country it is truly a honour.

We feel to be able to communicate and share our soccer club/ sports centre and town with Flanders, is a wonderful impactful opportunity to experience and cultivate cultural differences.  To have the ability to be able to take young people on a journey in the light of peace through soccer was foremost in our minds.

2.  Who will benefit from playing on the peace pitch?

HSSC – Answer 2.

This opportunity will be open to all young soccer players within Hobe Sound Soccer Club/Ignite Sports Center and the surrounding areas. Hobe Sound Soccer club will arrange annual tournaments to highlight the peace pitch  project and our twinning with the Flanders Peace Field creating opportunities for players to travel make connections around the world and participate in the Global Peace field Project games.

Our aim is invite the local Veterans to each event to appreciate and understand sacrifices made through WW1 and beyond.

Our hope is to bring camaraderie between our young soccer players and to those at the Peace Pitch Games in Flanders develop a connection where these young people can continue to communicate, learn about each different Countries and Cultures share new ideas and ways of life.

3. How will soccer coaches, facilitators and volunteers, promote the Peace

Pitch in terms of sportsmanship?

HSSC – Answer 3.

All of Hobe Sound Soccer/Ignite sports Center Coaches, Players and parents sign a code of conduct and are versed on sportsmanship and fair play Through education and information provided by HSSC/Ignite all coaches, volunteers and parents will understand the meaning of the peace pitch field events.

4. Will the Peace Pitch facilitate Peace Games / Tournaments annually on

21st Sept; International Day of Peace?  How?

HSSC- Answer 4.

Hobe Sound Soccer Club and Ignite sports center will hold annual events at our Peace Pitch connected to the National Children’s Alliance and the Global Peace Pitch Games.

Hobe Sound Soccer Club and Ignite Sports will hold soccer related activities including a soccer tournament on the international day of peace weekend of 21st and 22nd of September dedicated to the Peace Fields Project. Our aim is to participate in The Global Peace Games in Belgium.

The First Peace Pitch in Italy.  ENDAS Ente Nazionale, facilitated the first Italian Peace Pitch in Terracina. Peace Ambassadors from Leonardo Da Vinci school who represented their community at the 2017 Global Peace Games proudly presented the peace poppy ball to Terracina’s designated area of play – their new peace pitch – which is now officially twinned with Flanders Peace Field, Mesen, Belgium, site of the 1914 First World War Christmas Truces.  

Peace Field Project Manager, Pierpaolo Chiumera, said, ”We commemorate the extraordinary events that happened in the 1914 First World War at the Christmas Truces.  We celebrate world peace through an act of humanitarianism – a moment in history that took place in No Mans Land.  We have come to spread the principles of fair play, sharing, friendship and citizenship, through sports and social inclusion.”

The Peace Pitch is open to everyone, where the only goal is to socialize.  Together with The National Children’s Football Alliance (UK) we help form the ever-growing International Children’s Football Alliance. (ICFA).  An organisation that seeks to protect the universal interests of childhood through play.  Two Peace Fields Project plaques where presented to the community in Terracina by students from Leonardo Da Vinci High School.  The students represent Italy at the 2017 Global Peace Games where they participated in a peace education programme and gained recognition for their outstanding contribution to the United Nations International Day of Peace.

 

The students gained competencies in conflict resolution, communication and equality.  The boys and girls received their certificates and passed on their experiences to the new participants who will be attending in September 2018.  John Carmichael, ICFA, NED, said, ‘The fact that young Italian people are taking the lead to promote peace to all members of the community – it is a very important message in the current world climate.  We are very proud that they value the past through commemoration and celebrate the future , through play and promoting peace.