P.L.A.Y (Participation In the Lives Of African Youth) (GHANA) was set up by Kofi Bawuah, a football coach by profession in 2004. P.L.A.Y (Ghana) was set up to bring to the forefront the neglect of the youth in the development of sports/football in Ghana. P.L.A.Y serves as a mouthpiece for children in terms of the amenities they lack to assist in their development through childhood play, lack of trained technical personnel, lack of playing fields, physical education not being part of the school curriculum. Also P.L.A.Y is in the forefront of the campaign to encourage internal school sports rather than out of school which is the norm in Ghana.
The Aim of Play Ghana is to encourage Government and the major stakeholders about the need for children to be allowed to play free of any adult influences or barriers. In the face of aggressive marketing and consumer campaigns this has been a global concern for many years with many childhood issues shared with education authorities.
Currently P.L.A.Y. Ghana have a permanent staff of four Kofi Bawuah, Kwabena Antwi, Barima Sarpong and Evelyn Akuffo, we have a maximum of ten volunteers who work on project by project basis.
The current number one issue is the lack of playing fields for children to play on, also important is the disappearance of physical education from the curriculum as most schools springing up now have no pitches or parks for the students to play on. We are lobbying the Ghana Education Service to make it mandatory again that all schools should have these basic essential facilities.
P.L.A.Y. Ghana will be seeking to twin designated areas of play with Flanders Peace Field, Messines, Belgium, site of the 1914 Christmas Truces. Through the Peace Fields Project the children would be educated on the sacrifices that our forefathers had made in order for them to have peace. It would also serve as a reminder not to take peace for granted and that the need for each of them to be peace ambassadors using sport as the vehicle.
The Peace Fields Project is important because football is the very popular in Ghana and with the elections approaching having a week dedicated to the children we would be able to put our message of PEACE, before, during and after the elections to the masses through the activities lines up including a lecture by the children on football and how it can be used to promote peace. We would also have a strong internet and media presence during that week. We intend to interview children on their thoughts on the upcoming elections and how it affects them. Most importantly we would appeal to owners of pitches / astro turfs and parks to allow children to use their facilities for free. Selected schools would also be competing for the maiden ASOMDWEE (PEACE) CUP MATCH. ASOMDWEE means PEACE in our local dialect and because it would be competed for on that day we chose to name it in our local dialect as the day is also known locally as FOUNDERS DAY and it is a holiday.
P.L.A.Y (Participation In the Lives Of African Youth) (GHANA) was set up by Kofi Bawuah, a football coach by profession in 2004. P.L.A.Y (Ghana) was set up to bring to the forefront the neglect of the youth in the development of sports/football in Ghana. P.L.A.Y serves as a mouthpiece for children in terms of the amenities they lack to assist in their development through childhood play, lack of trained technical personnel, lack of playing fields, physical education not being part of the school curriculum. Also P.L.A.Y is in the forefront of the campaign to encourage internal school sports rather than out of school which is the norm in Ghana.
The Aim of P.L.AY. Ghana is to encourage Government and the major stakeholders about the need for children to be allowed to play free of any adult influences or barriers. In the face of aggressive marketing and consumer campaigns this has been a global concern for many years with many childhood issues shared with education authorities.
Currently P.L.A.Y. Ghana have a permanent staff of four Kofi Bawuah, Kwabena Antwi, Barima Sarpong and Evelyn Akuffo, we have a maximum of ten volunteers who work on project by project basis.
The current number one issue is the lack of playing fields for children to play on, also important is the disappearance of physical education from the curriculum as most schools springing up now have no pitches or parks for the students to play on. We are lobbying the Ghana Education Service to make it mandatory again that all schools should have these basic essential facilities.
P.L.A.Y. Ghana will be seeking to twin designated areas of play with Flanders Peace Field, Messines, Belgium, site of the 1914 Christmas Truces. Through the Peace Fields Project the children would be educated on the sacrifices that our forefathers had made in order for them to have peace. It would also serve as a reminder not to take peace for granted and that the need for each of them to be peace ambassadors using sport as the vehicle.
The Peace Fields Project is important because football is the very popular in Ghana and with the elections approaching having a week dedicated to the children we would be able to put our message of PEACE, before, during and after the elections to the masses through the activities lines up including a lecture by the children on football and how it can be used to promote peace. We would also have a strong internet and media presence during that week. We intend to interview children on their thoughts on the upcoming elections and how it affects them. Most importantly we would appeal to owners of pitches / astro turfs and parks to allow children to use their facilities for free. Selected schools would also be competing for the maiden ASOMDWEE (PEACE) CUP MATCH. ASOMDWEE means PEACE in our local dialect and because it would be competed for on that day we chose to name it in our local dialect as the day is also known locally as FOUNDERS DAY and it is a holiday.
One of the major benefactors of our programs has been the 5 Garrison Schools which is made up predominantly of children who’s parents are serving in the army. We have run their inter schools programs for them, helped upgrade some playing fields and even included them in the FC Unity campaign with Yamam Nabeel. We invited him to Ghana with the PEACE BALL and hosted an event within the Burma Camp Army base.
A very special ceremony took place this week to commemorate one of the most poignant and significant football matches of all time. Our Academy playing field on the East Campus was twinned with Flanders Peace Field, Messines, Belgium, site of the First World War 1914 Christmas Truce when English and German troops on the front line, put down their weapons and temporarily ceased hostilities to play a game of football.
Our Academy is only one of four schools in the country to have this honour bestowed on their playing fields and the ceremony today was the first to be held.
Oasis Academy students have been involved with the National Children’s Football Alliance Peacefield Project from its inception three years ago. Students have attended history workshops, created exhibitions (currently on display at Maidstone Museum.), and participated in a football tournament in Messine, Belgium competing against other students from all over Europe .
The aim of the Project is to create peacemakers for the future. Young people (inspired by the 1914 Christmas Truce) will absorb the essence of why fair play is important and begin to understand that sport can transcend conflict and cement friendships for life.
Invited guests, the Mayor of Swale, Councillor Lesley Ingham, and students were lead to the field by Standard Bearers from The Buffs and the British Legion.
During the twinning ceremony, in the presence of Paul Auston Esq, DL, Deputy Lieutenant, representing the Queen, David Millar, Executive Principal, John Cavadino, Associate Principal and Colin Farley from the NCFA signed the PFP Declaration, pledging to hold a games event once a year to commemorate WW1 and celebrate peace.
During his speech Ernie Brennan from NCFA reminded students and invited guests of how close Messines, Belgium is to the Isle of Sheppey and encouraged them to always remember those who played in the WW1 match and the importance of peace in the world.
Academy students Patrycja Kowalska (Year 10), Aisha Thwaites and Aailiegha Leslie (Year 8) read Wilfred Owen’s poem ‘Dulce et Decorum’, after which the playing field was blessed by Jeanette McLaren Chaplain.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled and presented by Paul Auston Esq, DL to the Academy which will be hung in our main Reception. DL Auston spoke of the milions who gave their lives and as a result, how young people can now play sport in peace and harmony.
Finally, The Last Post was played by Year 11 student, Emily Collins – a real honour for Emily on the day before her sixteenth birthday.
Pupils from all eleven primary schools on the Island watched the ceremony and then took part in a 5-a-side football tournament on the Academy 3G pitch. It was a really enjoyable, closely fought contest with all teams displaying a high level of skill. Third place went to Queenborough; second place awarded to St George’s Primary and Iwade snatched first place on goal difference. All students received tournament medals and a commemorative NCFA Football. In addition, Gillingham FC presented the tournament winners with a signed football.
The final event was a re-enactment of the Christmas Truce match by Academy students in Years 7 & 8 dressed as WW1 troops. Just as the score drew level at 1-1 the heavens opened and sadly the match had to be abandoned.
Executive Principal David Millar said “Today has been a very special day. We are honoured to be one of only four schools in the country to have their playing field twinned with Messines. Many of our students are involved in cadet forces and can trace strong military links through their family history. Over the next few weeks, many of us will be cheering on our favourite teams and players in Euro 2016, but I can guarantee that none of the matches we enjoy will be as memorable as that of the WW1 Christmas Truce and nor will any of today’s football stars be as heroic as those who served their countries.”
The First International Children’s Football Alliance (ICFA), Peace Pitch, Nagpur, India.
Slum Soccer celebrated the twinning their Academy football pitch with Flanders Peace Field and The Peace Village, Messine, Belgium, site of the 1914 First World War Christmas Truces. The Peace Field plaque (sponsored by Jones Lang Lasalle, JLL) was presented to V’jay Barse the founder of Slum Soccer by Ernie Brennan, Managing Director of the National Children’s Football Alliance.
The event facilitated a series of football games for boys and girls. The special guests were students from Frankfurt University who were on a study trip in India;
‘It was an honor to take part in the twinning ceremony. We are here to observe how non government organisations work in the third sector. Observing how the National Children’s Football Alliance (NCFA) UK work together with Slum Soccer has been a fascinating and inspiring experience which all my students will benefit from’. Prof. Dr. Alexandra Caspari.
‘This is a very important part of Slum Soccer to have a peace pitch that promotes play to young and old people. The connection with the First World War’s, 1914, Christmas Truces and India, is a valuable historical and modern day learning tool. We will promote peace through play and continue to work with our partners to ensure all children benefit from football’. Dr V’jay Barse, Slum Soccer.
Dr V’Jay Barse signs the Peace Field Declaration.
‘This is a great idea and I think all the Slum Soccer players, coaches and parents, will understand that we coach football to everyone but we also teach good values that promote peace’. Homkant Surandase, Slum Soccer, Head Coach.
There is a lot to gain from twinning a football pitch with Flanders Peace Field. The universal message of peace lends itself to sportsmanship, equality, humanitarianism and citizenship. Coaches use the 1914 Christmas Truces’ football match as a valuable learning tool in terms of community cohesion.
Slum Soccer will use the Peace Pitch to bring people together. The educational aspect of the Peace Pitch draws on a cross-curricular programme incorporating history, literature, cultural diversity and peace making. It is hoped that the Peace Pitch will facilitate all-inclusive peace tournaments and bring together further funding opportunities for local, regional and National companies to help support the good work of Slum Soccer and all their children.