Boris Becker and Ruud Gullit joined Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje in Amsterdam yesterday to launch the new Laureus Sport for Good Foundation the Netherlands. Olympic swimming legend Pieter van den Hoogenband, multiple Laureus winner Esther Vergeer and speed-skating star Yvonne van Gennip were also present and appointed as new Laureus Friends and Ambassadors.
Ruud Gullit, Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje, Boris Becker & Pieter van den Hoogenband
The new Foundation will begin its activities by supporting three projects in 2010 – De Laureus Maritime Challenge, De Zomerkampen van de Bas van de Goor Foundation and an evening football competition for young people from distressed families in the Hague.
Good luck guys!
This week was highlighted by last minute wins from two of the biggest teams either side of the Atlantic so let’s start with them:
1. Michael Owen scored a dramatic late goal to seal victory for Manchester United in one of the great derby matches of all time. It was the coolest of finishes from a classic predator striker. Instead of the goal (which you’ve probably seen five times already), enjoy this clip from Sky’s fanzone:
2. 11 points down with 5.35 left on the clock; things were looking bleak for the Patriots in last week’s NFL game against the Buffalo Bills. Fortunately they have someone called Tom Brady at quarterback and 2 touchdown drives later, the Pats walked off the pitch with a 25-24 win under their belt.
3. Hole-in-one for 1 Million dollars? No problem:
England cricket legend and Laureus Friends & Ambassador Michael Vaughan received an enthusiastic welcome when he visited the London Active Communities’ Urban Stars project in Lambeth.
Vaughan, captain of the England cricket team which famously beat Australia in 2005 in one of the most thrilling Ashes Series ever, faced up to some cracking bowling from inner city teenagers who attend the project.
Urban Stars operates in some of the most troubled areas of London with a high incidence of juvenile crime. It delivers a community-based multi-sports programme, with a focus on urban cricket, football, basketball and boxing. Based at the Lillian Bayliss Old School in Lambeth, it targets young people, aged 13-19, tackling gang membership, crime and anti-social behaviour.
Michael Vaughan said:
“Being able to spend time with these youngsters and see Laureus Sport for Good at work was a memorable experience. It was great to see so much positive communication between the leaders and the youngsters. I would like to congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to make Urban Stars such a success,” he added.
The ultimate aim of Urban Stars is to offer young people routes into education, training and employment, by offering quality learning opportunities outside school. This leads to a rise in academic attainment and aspirations. It also works to reduce the number of teenagers joining gangs. This should lead to lower offending rates, fewer weapons related incidents and a reduced fear of crime in target areas.
Thanks to Gudrun Jevne, Women’s Development Coordinator at Street League, and Rebecca Malcolm for this report:
Great weather, great football, great spirit, great people! – What more could one want for Street League’s 2nd women’s only match day?! Lunch and refreshments? Tick. Over 40 participants? Tick. Skilful organisation from a committed staff team? Tick. A Mercury Music Award Winner in the bright and brilliant Speech Debelle? Tick!
The rising hip hop star, fresh on the heels of her win at the prestigious music awards, attended the tournament and handed out prizes to all the winning teams. Speech felt a particular affinity with the programme, as it focuses on getting under represented groups into sport – in particular homeless women, and she raps openly about her own experiences with homelessness and when she was living in hostels.
Street League uses the power of sport to engage with anyone not in full time education and employment. The match days act as a hook to engage with participants who can go on to do coaching qualifications, sports leadership, drama, self-defence, circus skills, job skills and motivational workshops. These are brilliant as a springboard to employment, education and training. Read more
1. Kim Clijsters. Greatest Comeback Ever? Quite possibly. Her US Open win certainly ranks up there with the famous comebacks by Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong and George Foreman. Congratulations Kim, we reckon that’s a guaranteed Laureus nomination*.
2. Not for the first time, Roger Federer does something pretty special. He called it the “greatest shot I ever hit in my life”. Who are we to argue?
3. Congratulations to Germany for beating England in the Women’s European Cup Final. German’s convincing 6-2 win included an incredible 40-yard goal from Melanie Behringer (at 4:04 below)
