Almost 18 months ago we wondered whether we could test the proven CWB formula in the Middle East. Our inaugural April project proved that:
- children in the region enjoy playing the game
- there was appetite amongst partners to develop a formalised programme further
- the project helped tell refugees story through a different lens
Following April’s success, we spoke at length over what had worked and what hadn’t; how we might to develop a long term programme in the region; and who might support the initiative at home. We agreed the objectives for any future programme would be to use cricket as a tool to:
- Promote physical activity and put as many smiles on kid’s faces as possible
- Develop a sustained programme to become a force for good in the region
- Communicate refugee stories through sport
And so we boarded a flight from London to Amman last week on a mission to make our April success stick and deliver on the above objectives. It was soon apparent our second project would take a slightly different form to the last. Whilst the focus in April had been to take on as much as our team could handle, we agreed from the off that sustainability had to be at the core of everything we did, and that long term planning would be a key feature in the week; be it on playgrounds around the country or in offices in Amman. Having been asked to co-deliver five of Right to Play’s ‘play days’ – where play is used as a tool to communicate important social and educational messages – we were excited at the prospect of these days helping narrow a prospective future programme, in addition to our broader activity.
As our team blogs have outlined, no one play day was the same and cricket ranged from being almost a core focus for an entire session, to taking a back seat whilst creative elements of the days played out. We won’t forget the Quran recital followed by the national anthem in a hurry! What didn’t change was our follow up with Right to Play on a daily basis on what did and didn’t work, how cricket could become another means of achieving mutual organisational objectives, and what model would best work for us to do so in future.
Children latched onto all of our relay drills, and 3,2,1, Yallah! Exactly as they had in April. Having Aysha on board to successfully communicate the entire rules in twenty seconds helped no end, combined with her endless enthusiasm and passion. The two soon became our staple, occasionally blended with Non-stop cricket, tennis ball games, and catching drills. As ever, Lee demonstrated his distinct ability to change almost any existing game at schools in to a cricket drill with a learning focus. Day one was a prime example, as both he and Ed developed an existing ‘positive and negatives’ maths game into a simple cricket exercise. A knack many of us wish we had! Jules mirrored her April form, as children continue to swarm her within moments of entering a schools gates.
The sessions would generally only last a few hours, owing both to pressing timetables in schools (Jordanian children continue to attend morning shifts, with Syrians attending afternoon shifts), and both students and pupils becoming fatigued. Teachers at the majority of the five schools saw cricket as an opportunity to expand their existing ‘armoury’; an additional skill to use in future programmes. Having such loud, high energy environments to deliver sessions in really helped; particularly those who tend to be shy in a coaching environment. Following our session on day three in Quwaismeh, Right to Play and their teachers explained that the educational element of play days was then done in the class room. Both Lee and Jules iterated that the children performing the activities themselves, along with the life skills they demonstrated during the two hour period, was as much a learning exercise as any classroom based discussion.
Jules and Aysha delivering the session Thursday together in the south of Jordan, whilst Lee, Ed and I were in the North with UNHCR, was indicative of the team work and bond we have become accustomed to on the Jordan project. Whilst Ghor Safi and Mafraq have quite different operating environments, our approach was again the same; kids smiling whilst looking to ensure both projects have a sustainable element in the future. Girls playing sport in Ghor Safi in future is as much of a goal in itself; and the country’s future will rely on role models like Haneen, Yasmeen, Aysha, Jules and the team to achieve that. Now we look to understand how we can develop both as part of our formalised Jordan programme over the coming months.
So, what next? We remain in discussions with Right to Play as to how we look to integrate our games into a formalised joint programme in future. All our time together enabled us to develop our mutual learning which the future relationship will rely on. We look forward to making this happen over the coming months, and to ensuring both organisations benefit from all our combined experience in the world of sport development. This will hopefully begin with combined teacher training in the New Year and we now see cricket as a means of advancing broader sport development goals; a prospect which both teams are excited and motivated by.
CWB projects are also the ideal opportunity for self-development and learning. Having Lee, Jules, and Ed on the trip again given their experience and know how was paramount; given their having ‘seen it all before’. It is rare on a day you don’t learn something about yourself or others around you and it wouldn’t be the project it is without their input and know how. It also helps that Lee has as much appeal amongst young kids as David Beckham, Jules having dozens of children at her finger tips as she promotes the benefits of our work, and Ed having such experience of similar initiatives and programmes to drive it forward.
What matters at the end of the day is the kids we work with; as with any other CWB project. Seeing children in Mafraq for the second time, recognising our drills and eager to get involved was a personal highlight. As was the time spent discussing with RTP how we will make the most of what will be a unique project going forward. Thank you to our remarkable team, the support from our partners, to those of you who have supported the initiative from the off, and to the Jordanian people for the welcome they always great us with.
We look forward updating you all over the coming months
Jamie
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