Sports Doing Good Newsletter, #44

Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2013

Welcome to week forty-four of the Sports Doing Good newsletter.

One of the things we love about sports is its relevance in our lives, no matter our age. Whether we are a young fan (6 year-old Breanna) or an older participant (101 year old Fauja Singh), we all can enjoy in the personal and social benefits that sports affords us. We take joy in rooting for particular players and teams – despite the heartache that comes with losing – and we appreciate the opportunity for ourselves to get out on the field, court, course, or rink to be active participants in the world of sports.

In addition to the stories you will see about Mr. Singh and little Breanna, you will have a chance to read about four long-time friends who play their own special brand of the game tag, NBA star Deron Williams contributing to the community of which he is now a major part (Brooklyn), soccer star David Beckham contributing to the community of which he will soon be a major part (Paris), and a special sign at a hockey rink that reminds parents to remember when they were kids and how they would want to be treated.

Please continue to send along your stories. You are both our audience and our best source of stories. Our Twitter handle is @sportsdoinggood, and you can find us at www.facebook.com/sportsdoinggood. We anticipate 2013 being just as robust when it comes to the number and quality of stories

Finally, if you think others would like to receive the newsletter, please feel free to forward it on or have them contact us directly at sab@sportsddoinggood.com. (If you do not want to receive the newsletter anymore you can use the Unsubscribe button at the end of the email)

So enjoy. And have a good week.

101-year old Fauja Singh retiring from running marathons
Singh, an Indian-born Brit, gained international attention when he started running marathons as a spry 89-year-old. This week, after nearly 13 years, he announced that the Hong Kong Marathon on Feb. 24 will be his final race.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/worlds-oldest-marathoner-retire-101-154952422–abc-news-health.html

World’s Oldest Marathoner to Retire (ABC News)

It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being ‘It’; Group of Men Have Played Game of Tag for 23 Years; Hiding in Bushes, Cars
The game they play is fundamentally the same as the schoolyard version: One player is “It” until he tags someone else. But men in their 40s can’t easily chase each other around the playground, at least not without making people nervous, so this tag has a twist. There are no geographic restrictions and the game is live for the entire month of February. The last guy tagged stays “It” for the year.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578269991660836834.html

Tag fans Bill Akers, Patrick Schultheis, Sean Raftis and Mike Konesky. Photo: Sean Raftis

Brooklyn Nets’ Deron Williams on refurbishing NYC courts
As part of the “Brooklyn’s Got Wings” project in partnership with Red Bull and the Nets, every assist Williams dishes out over the next two seasons will trigger a $150 contribution for the refurbishment of eight public basketball courts in Brooklyn. Williams has 319 assists so far this season, generating $47,850 for the project. His goal is to reach $100,000 this season.
http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/trending/post/_/id/13369/deron-williams-on-refurbishing-nyc-courts

Deron Williams and Red Bull are raising money to refurbish basketball courts in Brooklyn. Photo courtesy of Red Bull

David Beckham Joins Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Pledges to Donate Salary
“It’s one of the things we talked about from the start, but this all happened so quick,” said Beckham, who did not disclose how much he will be paid or which group will get the money. “I thought what a great idea it would be that the salary would go to a children’s charity in Paris.”
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ap-source-beckham-join-french-club-psg-18363593#.UQrIyNpGZPs.email

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Houston Texan J.J. Watt, NFL Star, ‘Proposes’ To 6-Year-Old Fan Breanna
Little Breanna had become a bit of a viral sensation earlier this month, when a video of her crying made its rounds on the Interwebs. In the video, the little girl explains that she loves the football star and is devastated that she’s too young to marry him…On Wednesday, Watt tweeted that he had made the little girl’s dream come true — if only for a day.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/jj-watt-proposes-six-year-old-fan-breanna_n_2592065.html?utm_hp_ref=sports

Doug Williams embraces history; He’s proud of barrier-breaking role but still shaking his head over that question
It has been 25 years since Williams led the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII, becoming the first African-American quarterback to win the ultimate football game. And surprisingly, he remains the only one.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8884695/super-bowl-xlvii-doug-williams-embraces-history

AP Photo. Doug Williams threw four touchdown passes in Super Bowl XXII to capture the MVP award.

R.A. Dickey in Mumbai to help end sexual exploitation
The 38-year-old is in Mumbai to work with Bombay Teen Challenge, a Christian organization that has rescued women and children from sex trafficking for the past 23 years.
http://yhoo.it/XY3ZZD

Illinois Ice Rink Posts Awesome Sign To Remind Hockey Parents To Chill Out
In an effort to encourage good sportsmanship amongst hockey moms and dads, their local rink posted a sign reminding them to let kids be, well, kids.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/ice-rink-sign-for-parents_n_2582411.html?ir=Sports

NBA Coaches for Kids Program Celebrates Its Fifth Season
This season marks the fifth year of the NBA Coaches for Kids program, a collaborative effort between NBA head coaches and athletic trainers in conjunction with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and NBA Cares.  The program provides  young  BGCA members  in every NBA team market with the opportunity to attend a game and experience the excitement of professional basketball at its best, plus receive a pregame interactive “life lesson” from an NBA coach or athletic trainer.
http://thegoodinsports.com/2013/01/30/nba-coaches-for-kids-enters-5th-season/

WTA to Celebrate Historic 40th Anniversary in 2013
Founded by Billie Jean King in 1973, the WTA proudly counts many pioneering accomplishments, including the successful campaign for equal prize money. The 40 LOVE campaign will showcase the pioneers of the game and the current stars that all contributed to the ongoing success of women’s professional tennis and the WTA.
http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/PressReleases/2013/0124_40_Anniversary.pdf

THE NEXT 10 STORIES

The Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy (call for nominations)
The Patterson Award honors the legacy of Steve Patterson, whose outstanding basketball career was surpassed only by his giving heart, his unwavering optimism, his unifying leadership, and his dedication to improving the lives of others. The 2013 Patterson Award Call for Nominations will launch February 12.
http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/features-and-articles/steve-patterson.html?cid=xem_SPA12313&cid=

Canadian NHL Clubs Build Awareness for Mental Health and Wellness Through “Hockey Talks”
The seven Canadian NHL teams recognize the importance of education and open dialogue on mental health and wellness at a national level. The goal of Hockey Talks is to bring this topic to the forefront in the public realm and alleviate misconceptions and stigma that has been unfairly associated with mental illness.
http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=653454&cmpid=rss-News

Bringing up boys: Why it’s good for girls
Women Win Executive Director Maria Bobenrieth shares her thoughts about the critical importance of engaging boys in girl empowerment through sport.
http://www.sportanddev.org/en/newsnviews/news/?5213/1/Bringing-up-Boys-Why-its-Good-for-Girls

NIKE, Inc. announces accelerator program to drive digital sport innovation
The program leverages the success of the Nike+ platform by connecting with companies that share a commitment to helping people live more active lives.
http://nikeinc.com/news/nike-launches-first-accelerator-program

Hoops for Hope teaches life skills through sport
The students play different games, such as role-playing, and have, “discussions around issues that the young people are facing,” Crandall said. “We’re trying to do something sustainable and empowering that is based in our model that we use in Africa.”
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674hoops_for_hope_teaches_life_skills_through_sport/#.UQN5zC_0e7Q.facebook

Kids at a soccer camp in Arviat were enthusiastic about attending the soccer drills every day. During the two-week camp, the youth learned about respect, integrity, sharing and life skills.

Hard Rock Hollywood Honors Panthers Defenseman Ed Jovanovski With The “Jovo Burger”
“Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood is proud to work with Ed Jovanovski and the Florida Panthers organization,” said Scott Jacobs, General Manager of Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood. “The new local legendary Jovo Burger, supporting the Florida Panthers Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, is sure to be an instant favorite of locals and visitors alike.”
http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=653087

Orlando Magic’s J.J. Redick Hosts a Basketball Camp for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida
“I wanted to provide a free basketball and leadership clinic to a group of deserving kids,” said Redick. “These kids will gain basketball knowledge as well as insight into the importance of education and leadership.  Big Brother/Big Sisters is an organization that aligns with the vision of the J.J. Redick Foundation – that every child deserves to have a positive role model and influence on their lives.”
http://thehotspotorlando.com/2013/01/29/orlando-magics-j-j-redick-hosts-a-basketball-camp-for-big-brothers-big-sisters-of-central-florida/

Playing to Heal: Designing a Trauma-Sensitive Sport Program (report)
Edgework conducted a multi-year exploration of work in the field and the result is this paper, which outlines a framework to help create truly trauma-sensitive sport intervention.  It’s a groundbreaking document in the field of sport and trauma and intended to support organizations working in a range of settings, from post-emergency/conflict work to inner cities and slums, anywhere that a significant percentage of the population being served has been affected by trauma.
http://www.sportanddev.org/en/connect/myinfo.cfm?5239/Playing-to-Heal-Designing-a-Trauma-Sensitive-Sport-Program

International Inspiration Annual Review celebrates impact of London 2012
International Inspiration has enriched the lives of over 12 million children in 20 countries around the world through high-quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play.
http://www.sportanddev.org/?5212/1/International-Inspiration-Annual-Review-celebrates-worldwide-impact-of-London-2012

Married field hockey coaches make a winning team
“Being married is probably the best because they know what it takes to be a family and they want us as a team to be a family like them,” Schneider said. “I think it’s helped them in coaching and a key ingredient in 13 years of winning.”
http://www.theridernews.com/2012/10/04/married-field-hockey-coaches-make-a-winning-team/