MEET THE SHORTLIST - SPORT FEDERATION OR GOVERNING BODY OF THE YEAR
Selected from over 350 entries reaching 60 different countries, the Beyond Sport Awards, supported by Comic Relief shortlist represents the standout and unique work being done by organisations across the globe, from figure skating in Harlem to get young girls interested in STEM education, capoeira as a way to rehabilitate displaced young people in the Middle East to socially conscious gym classes as a way to support isolated older people in the disadvantaged communities across the UK.
The 36 nominated initiatives will be invited to the Beyond Sport Summit 2015, with their travel and accommodation provided, where the winners will be announced at the prestigious Awards Ceremony on the second day of the event.
Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year
The Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year Award celebrates organisations that go beyond addressing increased participation levels and focuses on major issues occurring within the relevant communities
Fiji Volleyball Federation (Fiji)
Fiji Volleyball Federation works to reduce the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases through increased village level participation in volleyball, focusing specifically on women and girls. The Federation works with village headmen and chiefs to target women and girls to provide much needed safe spaces and accessible opportunities for them to participate in sport.
International Tennis Federation (Global)
Disabled people in low-income countries face many different challenges including social exclusion and discrimination with 98% of disabled children in developing nations not going to school. The International Tennis Federation help to improve the opportunities available to these people, promoting integration between disabled and able-bodied athletes, tackling the issue of social exclusion and providing participants with an active and rewarding life.
National Hockey League (NHL) (USA)
The NHL supports organisations and programmes which extend the core values of the game – dedication, perseverance, teamwork and respect. The NHL have numerous programmes; NHL Green addressing sustainable practise; Future Goals using hockey as a vehicle for STEM education; You Can Play, ensuring respect and equality for all athletes; Hockey Fights Cancer, a fundraising initiative raising millions of dollars for cancer research; and Kraft Hockeyville, a community investment programme celebrating passionate hockey communities.
National Rugby League (NRL) (Australia)
The NRL work to promote social integration for youth that have been socially isolated as a result of gaps in education and cultural detachment. Australian Indigenous people are some of the most disadvantaged in areas including life expectancy, educational achievement, and employment outcomes in the country. The National Rugby League uses Rugby League concepts to improve the integration process for new citizens and their families to become active participants in their communities.