Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Engender - Run for Understanding

Engender - Run for Understanding

Create Your SAFE Space - We Play for: 15 - 30 minutes.

Learning Goals: 

• Participants understand that UNSDG #5.6 is sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (SRHR). 
• Coaches understand UNSDG Target 5.6 is Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

Purposeful Play:

• An even number of people start at each corner of a space and they are assigned numbers. 
• The number represents who is on their team. Should be one member of each team at every corner. (Doesn't have to be a square). 
• One corner starts running in one direction, joins their teammate at the next corner, the two of them run to the next teammate, the three of them run to the next teammate, and they finish the run together as a whole team. One member of each team runs the whole race and so on.
• Once they understand the rhythm of the game add in a new challenge. 
• Each person comes up with part of a sentence (so if 4 people per team it will be a 4 word sentence, or 8 words if each person comes up with 2 words, etc.). When the team finishes all together they share their sentence with the other teams. 
• Challenge them to come up with sentences/statements/questions about healthy choices related to sexual and reproductive health and rights and/or gender-based violence and making safe choices.

Purposeful Questions While They Are Playing - Ask Questions and Listen to Answers: 

• How did you plan with your team? How did you choose your words?

• Did anyone learn anything from another group’s sentences?

• Did anyone have a question you would like to discuss before we play again?

Purposeful Play - Use Your Imagination or Our Suggestions to Create New Ways of Playing:

• Can add different challenges such as each person chooses a movement related to sexual health instead of a word
• Can have them do different movements between each corner instead of just running.
• Can add balls that they have to bring with them to each corner. 
• Can make sure responsibilities shift so different people start in different places. 
• Can change directions of the course so different teams start and finish in different places. 
• And can also play so only one person runs at a time like a ‘relay race’.
• Be imaginative. Try your own variations and progressions!

Purposeful Questions After the Game - Ask Questions and Listen to Answers:

• Is it hard to think of sentences or questions about sexual health? Why or why not? 
• Is it common to discuss these topics in your community? Why or why not? Do you think it should be common?
• How can you, as active citizens, support each other and your community to learn and share more information about sexual health? 
• Be imaginative. Try your own questions and encourage the group to ask their own questions. 

The Next Time You Play - Continue Using Your Imagination to Create New Variations:

• Be imaginative. Ask the group for other ways to play or try your own idea.