Project GOAL (Greater Opportunity for Athletes to Learn), the Rhode Island nonprofit that inspires academic achievement through sports—namely, soccer—is partnering with the LGBT+ youth initiative Play Proud to train coaches to help their programs be more LGBTQ inclusive.
Play Proud is an initiative of the international nonprofit StreetFootballWorld, whose mission is to positively “transform our societies” through soccer.
In their own words, here’s what Play Proud’s all about:
42% of young people who identify as LGBTQ+ in the USA feel their community does not accept them. These young people are only half as likely as their straight peers to participate in organised sports. Not surprising, considering that 73% of the population believes that sports programmes are not safe or welcoming to LGBTQ+ youth.
But by not participating in youth sports, these young people often lack a positive outlet to express themselves. Additionally, they are not able to receive all of the positive benefits that sports can have. Even those who play do not feel safe to come out in these unsupportive settings. 83% of gay men and 63% of lesbian women are in the closet while playing youth sports. Too many LGBTQ+ athletes do not feel safe being themselves.
By equipping football for good organisations, coaches and players with the right knowledge, this reality can be changed. The Play Proud team will create a toolkit to enable those people engaging directly with and mentoring LGBTQ+ young people to address their concerns, tackle discrimination and assist them in using their strengths on and off the pitch.
Reports Providence Monthly:
Fifteen years ago, Darius Shirzadi, Peter Whealton, and Javier Centeno started Project GOAL to help young children achieve their academic and athletic dreams. Today, the organization is still up and running, but this dedicated group of staff and volunteers has made it their mission to become more than just about school and sports. Coach Bryce DuBois says that Project GOAL is striving to become more socially aware and inclusive, and help kids grow into their identities. …
Recently, Project GOAL was offered the opportunity for two coaches to receive training to help the program to become a more LGBT+-inclusive safe space, both on and off the soccer field. The program belongs to StreetFootballWorld, an international network of organizations that operate on the “soccer for good” mission. Through the coalition, Project GOAL was invited by the Play Proud initiative to participate in a year-long fellowship that trains staff on how to create safe spaces for all of their athletes.
Says [Project GOAL Coach Bryce DuBois], “The goal of our program is to be inclusive and support young people. They’re also developing their identities…” He emphasizes that this training allows mentors to empower their athletes to accept their identities during crucial stages of development.
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