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Creating inclusivity through leadership action

About

Play Proud is a leadership, network and coach-centred training programme developed by Common Goal. It aims to promote inclusion and safe spaces for  LGBTQ+ youth and adults, enabling them to be themselves on and off the pitch.

  • Create LGBTQ+ curricula and policies that can be used by organisation leaders and coaches to make programmes, organisations, and ultimately, communities more inclusive.
  • Build capacity of grassroots organisations to be able to incorporate the methodology into their programmes through training the first generation of Play Proud coaches.
  • Roll out a Play Proud Playbook to guide organisations’ facilitation of open and safe football programmes, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. 
  • Develop a strong network of Play Proud coaches who can exchange ideas and promote collaboration.

The programme focuses on empowering organisation leaders and sports coaches through activities covering leadership skills and tools, coaching inclusion methodologies, influencing change, and knowledge acquisition on discrimination towards LGBTQ+ communities. It equips participants with a Play Proud toolkit, empowering them to create inclusivity through leadership action.

Participants also design and implement local action learning projects designed to increase inclusivity and be a catalyst for concrete change.

  • 22 organisations engaged in 8 countries. 
  • 406,950 youth indirectly impacted by Play Proud programming. 
  • 100% completion rate.
  • 100% of participants feel they are more knowledgeable about gender identity and sexual orientation.
  • 100% of participants feel they are more knowledgeable about the challenges that the LGBTQ+ community face in sport.
Testimonials
See what our customers say about us
Patrick McCarten
Programmes Manager, Employment & Social Inclusion Department
Knowsley
"This part of the programme is always done in the early stages; the difference it has made to clients has been overwhelming. Once clients have returned they are more motivated, their managers notice a big difference from carrying out their daily activities to taking on new responsibilities, and they speak highly of the staff that supported them.”
Participant
Leading for Growth
Migros Bank
A lot has changed within my leadership style. I question my actions much more. I always try something new, I am much more courageous! I observe more consciously what is happening around me. I think about what I can improve and adjust details. I try to involve staff more in issues that concern them. In discussions, I listen actively and hopefully better, ask open questions, and to do all this much more consciously.
Mirella Maffei
Strategy and Innovation Officer
Assimoco
“An intense, engaging journey with a highly generative impact"