FundLife, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga, conducted Play for Peace training workshop in Mindanao

​To introduce the use of Football for inclusive communities and contribute to the achievement of good educational outcome, FundLife International in partnership with Gawad Kalinga facilitated Play for Peace: Training of Trainers on June 3 – 4 at Pagatpat Elementary School, Cagayan De Oro City and June 5-6 at Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Football for Life Academy coach Robelyn Villas and Mr, Rufino Almaden, a teacher from one of FLP’s partner school took the lead in conducting the training using the Football3.
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Football3 (F3) is a unique way of playing or organizing football. It is based on the principle that the basic values of fair play, gender equality, teamwork, respect and dialogue are just as important as a football skill. Named after its ‘three halves’ – a pre-match discussion, football game, and post-match discussion – F3 incorporates key life lessons into every match.

​A total of 58 participants (34 Male and 24 female) were able to participate in the two-day training. 17 of which were public school teachers, 8 local football coaches, 2 community leaders, 1 representative from the local Sports Commission, and 30 youth leaders who also plays football and futsal.

“A lot of the participants struggled to understand how football can resolve conflict especially during the first day of our workshop but as the discussions went along they finally understood it and couldn’t wait to apply it to their respective schools and community,” Coach Robelyn Villas shared during her first day of facilitating the training.
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The training surprised the teachers because combining football game and values to resolve conflicts is new to them.

Mr. Rufino (In blue shirt) discussing the use of football3 in resolcing conflicts.

 “After our workshop this morning, I tried to apply the concept of F3 when I had a class activity just this afternoon. For 2 years in service and as a teacher I was used to being the one who always set the rules and makes instructions. I wanted to try the methodology of F3, I took charge of creating the fixed rule and then when it was already about the Open rules I let my students decide between themselves what kind of rules they wanted to set. This kind of activity is very much helpful because kids learn their responsibility at a young age,” said Ethel Bolo, a teacher from Pagatpat Elementary School,

These participants who are now referred to as “mediators” can use the methodology of Football3 to teach young leaders from schools, universities, and communities the values of fair play, gender equality, teamwork, respect, and dialogue. They can organize local and then regional Football3 community game festivals. The festivals will also promote dialogue, tolerance, and inclusivity, in a fun and games-led way.
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It is expected that a total of 1,167 children from vulnerable communities which is a result of the armed conflict would be able to benefit from the rollout of the training. This figure is based on the estimated number of children in school under the public school teachers and players attending the training of the local football and futsal coaches.

(L-R) Ms. Marlyn Importane of Gawad Kalinga Football, Coach Bombet, FFLA Coach Rhobs and Coach Percy.

Another participant, Coach Bonifacio “Bombet” Avinedo of Butuan City, expressed his excitement to facilitate Football 3 to the children he is working with Butuan.

 “I am going to facilitate these to my players in Butuan. For almost 16 years that I been coaching, I was a little bit unsatisfied with what I’ve been doing because I am not following any structure, unlike F3. There is a structure, a guide and the goal is very clear which is to resolve conflict,” said Football coach Bombet.

Coach Bombet had been coaching for almost 16 years and he is appointed by Philippine Football Federation (PFF) as Grassroots Developmental Officer last 2012 and until now his still coaching kids from the streets. He conducts his session in a lot of communities and schools but he mostly conducts these in the streets with street children. He is currently working with less than 100 kids (25 street kids, 60 elite player from their club and 15 beginners.

The same goes to the other Football and Futsal coaches who were present during the training, they will use F3 for more effective coaching training activity for the children from the communities and schools they are working within Butuan, Lanao Del Sur, Malaybalay Bukidnon, and Cagayan De Oro.

As for the Public school teachers (Elementary and Secondary), one group expressed in using F3 for their team building and will schedule replication of the training for their fellow teachers. Some of them will also use this in making their lessons livelier and more inclusive and effective experiential learning for children.

Cagayan de Oro City  training workshop participants (June 3-4).

Cagayan de Oro City  training workshop participants (June 3-4).

​​You may check FundLife International Facebook page here for more photos.