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sierra leone

SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone is currently ranked bottom of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index. This index is a measure of life expectancy, literacy, education and standard of living.  

Right to Dream are now working in partnership with The Craig Bellamy Foundation and UNICEF in Sierra Leone to establish and implement a nationwide social development league and football academy.

Right to Dream were the obvious choice for Craig Bellamy, Premier League Footballer and Welsh National Team Captain, when he decided to establish a football project in Sierra Leone.

After a brief visit to Sierra Leone in 2007, Craig was inspired by the passion and enthusiasm he saw for the children who shared his love for the game of football.  Despite this enthusiasm, there were no opportunities for young children to play the sport to a high level at the same time as obtain an education.  Being aware of RTD and admiring the unique ethical development model he contracted RTD to perform a feasibility study into establishing a football academy in SL.

RTD consulted with the Government of SL, international aid agencies, commercial ventures, NGO’s and other interested parties regarding the feasibility of the project as well as studying and evaluating the political, social and economic climate of the country.

On completion of the study RTD saw an opportunity to establish a ground breaking initiative to go beyond simply establishing an Academy, to establish a project which would use the power of sport to help change the lives of a vast number of children.

By using the power of football RTD developed a unique league format which recognised the role that sport could play in the social regeneration of local communities.
Placing equal emphasis on football results, school attendance, fair play and community projects the league can assist in the social development of Sierra Leone. By empowering the children in the league and by training the team members as peer educators RTD can help to pass on life saving health messages to the children of Sierra Leone and to encourage school attendance and a sense of pride in their local community.

In January 2009 nine junior football leagues will commence, consisting of 44 teams, with 1,760 team members and employing 97 Sierra Leone Nationals as qualified coaches and pastoral care workers.

In April 2009 The Craig Bellamy Foundation Academy will open in Tombo, Sierra Leone. Managed by RTD and based upon the successful model of the RTD academy in Ghana the CBF Academy will offer children from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to reach their full potential via sport and education.

With an initial intake of 16 pupils, the CBF Academy will offer these lucky children full 5 year scholarships. Once at the Academy they will receive all food and board, an international level education, top class football coaching and expert pastoral care and guidance. Graduate pathways will echo those of RTD in Ghana with opportunities ranging from Professional Soccer, continued education in the UK and US or local based vocational training.

In recognition of our skills, expertise and experience, RTD have been contracted by the CBF to manage the academy and to implement and run the league system in Sierra Leone.   RTD have worked to create partnerships with commercial bodies, aid agencies and the government to ensure the project garners local support and is sustainable in the long-term.

By 2010 the project will consist of 36 football leagues through-out Sierra Leone, 149 teams will be competing in the leagues (68 boys teams, 68 girls teams and 13 differently-abled teams), with over 4,300 team members and will offer employment to over 350 locals.  

If you are interested in becoming involved in our project in Sierra Leone or learning more, please contact:

Gary Mountain
Project Manager
Email: gary@righttodream.com