Global Youth Sport for Development Initiative
About Us
The Global Youth Sport for Development (GYS4D) Initiative is a 10-year global outreach program aimed at leveraging sport and physical activity to:
- Foster holistic development through age-appropriate and contextually relevant approaches, including the integration of positive youth development programming through sport.
- Enhance the methods and research around sport-for-development funding.
- Strengthen and expand sport-for-development programming.
- Integrate sport science, developmental theory, and sport management expertise to advance outcomes in sport, community, and human development.
Our Mission
Our mission is to collaborate with dedicated partners worldwide to support the mental and physical health of youth through sports, curricular activities, and mentoring programs. These initiatives are carefully tailored to meet the unique needs of each partner site, ensuring effective and meaningful engagement.
Our secondary mission focuses on the research and development of programs and processes that are evidence-based, participant-centered, replicable, and sustainable. By leveraging the collaboration between scholars, participants, and partners, we aim to understand what works and why it works, enabling broad and appropriate implementation across diverse contexts.
Our Philosophy
Through a blended learning model, GYS4D equips youth athletes with the cognitive, coping, and relational skills to succeed in life.
Our philosophy of learning and development is centered around a three-step methodology:
A. Define
B. Model
C. Practice
Each concept is defined and modeled through age-appropriate lessons and adapted to fit cultural contexts.
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Our Partners
