In order to effectively carry out and achieve our mission, we continuously improve our innovative approach to Sport and Development, share best practices with other NGOs, and utilize the popularity of soccer to facilitate this vision.
Core Requirements
Any team that is a part of CAN Fútbol Foundation [or would like to be a part of CANFF] must comply with the following requirements:
Step 1
(a) Make a working synopsis of your team(s): # of players, where team is located, vision, and goal on how to integrate soccer and education on the island.
(b) Create a list of the players, age group by age group, so that there is a running count of the players involved
Rationale: This will allow the coaches to keep track of the players and their progress as well as create accountability between coaches and players.
Step 2
(a) Establish a universal point system and standards that can be used to hold the student-athletes accountable. The student-athlete will earn points by meeting the following criteria: having good attendance in school, making good grades, participating in community projects, reading books, etc.
(b) Create a network of communication between the coaches, teachers, public health advocates, and player’s parents.
Rationale: Begin an open dialogue of communication between the coaches, teachers, public health advocates, and parents so that everyone understands the goals and objectives for these student-athletes.
Step 3
(a) Identify other community leaders who share the same goals and vision in terms of soccer and education.
(b) Create a branch of leaders within the community who will help to carry out these ideals, holding the student-athletes accountable on and off the field.
Rationale: By beginning to create a sense of unity and communion within the community amongst the coaches, teachers, and the community at large, this will strengthen community under a common goal and vision.
Step 4
[Coaches and teachers] Create clear, concise academic standards for the student-athletes to meet in order to remain eligible to play soccer. Students will have a clear understanding of these standards so that they know what is expected of them in order to remain eligible to play soccer. Currently, the standard is set at 87% for Midterm and Final grades.
Rationale 1: This will provide students with academic parameters that they will meet in order to participate on the soccer team.
Rationale 2: To be able to open the lines of communication to between coaches and teachers so that they can monitor the players and hold them accountable both on and off the field. The players who do not meet the academic requirements implemented the teachers will be reprimanded by the coaches.
Step 5
Coordinate with public health representatives to schedule informal talks with student-athletes. Teachers should coordinate with these public health representatives to schedule informal talks in the classroom also.
* These talks should be part of an accountability/point system for the student-athletes.
Rationale: This will provide the public health representatives a time to coordinate with the teachers and coaches in order to speak to them as well as the student-athletes about public health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS and other health related issues.
Step 6
Organize community service projects and initiatives. Players will earn points towards playing by participating in the projects. These projects can be organized according the coach’s discretion, taking into account the needs of the team, school, and/or community at large.
Rationale: This is an initiative to get the student-athletes positively involved in their community and will also serve as a way to build community, unity, and relations.
