Promoting Cultural Understanding, Developing

Youth, and Fostering Gender Equity Through Soccer

Carrie W. LeCrom, Ph.D.

June 11, 2010

VCU Center for Sport Leadership U.S. State Department RFP DISCUSS program details Questions & discussion

Outline

Outline

RFP

RFP: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the International Sports Programming Initiative. Public and private non-profit organizations may submit proposals for projects designed to reach out to youth and promote mutual understanding by increasing the professional capacity of those who design and manage youth sports programs in select countries in Africa, East Asia, the Near East and North Africa, South Central Asia, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere. The focus of all programs must be on reaching out to both male and female youth ages 8–18 and/or their coaches.

RFP

RFP: The Office of Citizen Exchanges welcomes proposals for two-way exchanges (one component in the United States and the other in the chosen country) that directly respond to the following thematic areas: Training Sports Coaches Youth Sports Management Exchange Youth with Disabilities Sports and Health

Case Study: DISCUSS

DISCUSS: Developing and Improving Synergies in Chinese and United States Soccer 2-way exchange aimed at increasing

cultural understanding through the sport of soccer

Partnerships between VCU CSL, Richmond Strikers Soccer Club, iChina Sports, and Shanghai Football Association

Case Study: DISCUSS

History of soccer in China and U.S. July 10, 1999 Women’s World Cup US Soccer:

Women’s Professional League; ‘08 Beijing Olympic Gold

3 million youth (40% girls); 300,000 youth coaches

Chinese Soccer: Since ‘03 no semi finals for Women’s National Team 1700 youth in Shanghai play soccer (500 girls); 21

youth coaches Funding and cultural issues

Case Study: DISCUSS

Goals of program: Promote cultural understanding Train Chinese soccer coaches on and off-

field Educate on development & management

of soccer clubs Create ongoing dialogue between

participants

Overview of program specifics

Questions & Discussion

Carrie W. LeCrom, Ph.D.

Center for Sport Leadership at VCU

1300 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23284

804.828.6443

cwlecrom@vcu.edu