(VOL - 9) April - June 2024 |
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Welcome to the 9th edition of Simply Sport Foundation’s quarterly newsletter, covering April to June 2024! This quarter has been a whirlwind of impactful activities and inspiring growth. We expanded the Simply Grant program across India, launched the Grant Program with 12 new partners, and hosted a Volleyball Summer Camp for underprivileged youth. Our Scholarship Program now proudly supports 40 students. The Female Athlete Leadership Program, in partnership with Anantapur Sports Academy, empowered 16 young women, while the Girls Education Scholarship Program celebrated and expanded to 40 recipients. The Simply Periods and Simply Smiles Initiatives conducted 11 workshops each, making a positive impact on over 850 athletes and coaches combined. We forged new partnerships with 12 dynamic organizations and unveiled a sneak peek of the Simply Periods handbook on World Menstrual Hygiene Day. Our CSR initiatives saw generous contributions, and we thank everyone for being part of our journey to empower young athletes across India! |
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This quarter has been highly productive and impactful for the Simply Grant program. We've successfully initiated several key activities, expanded our reach, and deepened our partnerships across India. |
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Kick-off of the Grant Program Selection Process: After a rigorous selection process, we onboarded 12 new partners from various regions across India. These partners will play a crucial role in implementing our initiatives and reaching a wider audience. Grant Allocation: Grants have been allocated to these partners to support their local projects aligned with the Simply Roots mission. |
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Volleyball Summer Camp Collaboration: We conducted a volleyball summer camp in collaboration with the Torpedoes and with support from BBMP Bangalore. Participation: The camp saw enthusiastic participation from local youth, fostering both physical fitness and community spirit. |
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Scholarship Program Expansion Previous Success: Building on the success of last year's scholarship program, we have scaled up our efforts this year Increased Reach: This year, the program has been expanded to support 40 students, providing them with the financial aid and resources needed to pursue their educational goals. |
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The Female Athlete Leadership Program |
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This past year, Simply Sport Foundation witnessed a remarkable transformation as the Female Athlete Leadership Program, in partnership with the Anantapur Sports Academy, completed its inaugural journey. Starting with a vision to empower, this program has turned aspirations into tangible outcomes, enabling 16 incredible young women to find their voices and stride confidently towards their futures. |
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The journey from silent observers to dynamic, fearless doers has been nothing short of inspirational. Each participant has carved a path of profound personal growth, emerging not just as athletes but as a rounded leader equipped to take on the world. Here are a few highlights: |
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Group Projects: Event Management: What began with doubts ended in triumph! Our athletes raised Rs.12,000, organizing a major sports event from scratch—handling budgets, crafting marketing strategies, and engaging the community. Their success not only funded the event but also crafted memories, marking achievements that were once deemed too challenging. Research: The second project that we loved working on with the girls was the Puberty Project. The girls interviewed 25 young girls from the ASA campus to help give the ASA team recommendations on what they can do to make better policies for young girls to experience the sport. Through the project they learnt the process of conducting research, the importance of consent, and the ability to convince parents to let their girls share experiences that can help others. |
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Life Skills That Bridge Dreams and Reality: Initially met with silence, by the program’s conclusion, these young women were orchestrating their graduation, confidently speaking and performing in front of live audiences, and engaging with community figures. Their journeys reflect monumental growth in self-belief and confidence. New Horizons in Sports Careers: From only knowing about playing, coaching, and refereeing, the program expanded their horizons, unveiling numerous career paths within sports and what it takes to succeed in each. |
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Financial Literacy: The transformation from never having visited a bank to understanding financial terms, the value of an investment, and the importance of savings underscores a significant leap towards personal and financial empowerment. Most of them have or have applied for a personal bank account. Mentorship: The mentorship aspect of the program not only provided guidance but also instilled the importance of giving back, mentoring others, and being a positive force within their communities. |
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We wish the girls the very best for the future and are now getting ready to build the next cohort of the program. |
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In the April to June 2024 quarter, the Simply Sport Foundation's Simply Periods Initiative successfully conducted 11 workshops across India, impacting 500 athletes and coaches. |
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Workshops were held for INS Shivaji Navy female recruits, Future Star Sports Academy in Mayurbhanj, TENVIC Sports Weightlifting High-Performance Centre in Odisha, Rapid Sports Fitness in collaboration with Women in Sports Elite Trials, Sri Ma Sports Academy in Mumbai, and GK Mad Club - Y Ultimate Frisbee group in Delhi. We were also invited by Bihar State Sports Authority to do our workshops with their athletes and coaches in the month of June. These sessions provided crucial education on menstrual health management, enhancing performance and well-being for participants. |
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In addition, we are launching our first pilot project with Cranberry to track periods of 40 athletes at our partner organisation Y-Ultimate. Through the Berry Chatbot, we will be tracking periods, building reports and insights, sharing them with athletes and coaches. This year we will be doing the pilot with a total of 100 athletes and publishing a report with our findings that will be focused on how period tracking can help athletes and coaches make better decisions in enhancing performance and health. |
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To know more about Simply Periods and workshops, contact- 📞: 8850504513 📧 : aditi.m@simplysport.in |
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In the April to June 2024 quarter, the Simply Sport Foundation's Simply Smiles Initiative successfully conducted 11 workshops across India, positively impacting 350+ coaches. |
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In the April to June 2024 quarter, the Simply Sport Foundation's Simply Smiles Initiative successfully conducted 11 workshops across India, positively impacting 350+ coaches. These workshops were held both online and offline at various notable locations, including the TENVIC Sports Weightlifting High-Performance Centre in Odisha, Sri Ma Sports Academy in Mumbai, Cure Foods, and GK Mad Club - Y Ultimate Frisbee group in Delhi. Additionally, sessions were organized in collaboration with the Bihar State Sports Authority and the Parikrama Foundation. These workshops provided essential psychoeducation on mental health in sports and athlete well-being, significantly impacting the participants.
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Furthermore, Simply Smiles hosted its first panel discussion, "Athletes Breaking the Silence in Sport," during World Mental Health Week. In this event, top athletes were invited to share their experiences with mental health challenges throughout their sporting careers and discuss how they managed to overcome these obstacles. In addition, Simply Smiles organized a special event during World Men's Mental Health Month in collaboration with Cure Foods. This event focused on understanding men's mental health and breaking down traditional barriers and stigmas associated with it. |
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To know more about Simply Smiles and to conduct workshops, contact- 📞: 8147575700 📧 : notifications@simplysport.in |
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Anantapur Sports Academy RDT's Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA) has been promoting youth sports for rural children since 2000, focusing on Hockey and six other disciplines. It serves 6,867 children and youth, including 38% girls, fostering growth and socio-educational development in Anantapur, India. |
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Mrida Education & Welfare Society Mrida establishes a football academy in Mandla, Dindori, and Balaghat districts, Mahakaushal, aiming to empower tribal youth. Located in Naxalite-affected areas, it harnesses sports to foster resilience and community development, combatting poverty through education, sports, and agriculture initiatives. |
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Kodagu - INS SPORTS CENTRE Kodagu Football Club, nurtured by the Somaiah family, elevates football in Kodagu, with a team exclusively comprising local talent. Trained at INS Sports Centre, and coached by former national players, they now compete in Bangalore's Super Divisions, marking a significant stride for Kodagu football. |
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Khelo Rugby Khelo Rugby, a sports for development program by Future Hope, empowers disadvantaged children through rugby. Operating in Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Jharkhand, it fosters community engagement, impacting lives through sport in tea garden villages and rural areas. |
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Future Star Sports Academy FSSA empowers tribal communities in Mayurbhanj, Odisha through education and rugby training. They foster physical and mental well-being, offering youth access to tournaments and skill development, bridging gaps between rural and urban areas for a brighter future. |
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Y-Ultimate Y-Ultimate Academy in Delhi utilizes Ultimate Frisbee to empower underprivileged children with life skills, fostering better decision-making and emotional well-being. They cultivate youth leaders and champions in a non-contact, self-refereed team sport using mixed-gender play.
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Republican Sports Club The Republican Sports Club in Mumbai is a renowned hockey academy led by Merzban Patel, empowering young female players from underprivileged backgrounds. Producing international talent for over three decades, it shapes athletes and leaders, with 5 Olympians among its alumni. |
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Navsahyog Foundation Navsahyog Foundation fosters life skills and creativity in village children across 300 villages in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland. Engaging 9000+ children daily, it promotes traditional Indian sports like Kabaddi, Kho-kho, and Yoga, shaping a future of empowered youth. |
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District Taekwondo Association Varanasi DTAV promotes Taekwondo as a holistic lifestyle, emphasizing health and wellness. With a vision to cultivate Olympic champions, it aims to elevate India's status in Taekwondo. Located in Varanasi, it's a hub for aspiring athletes passionate about the sport. |
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Pro Sport Development PSD Academy, founded in 2013, empowers underserved youth through sport. At Bhubaneswar, Odisha, we provide evidence-based programs, and training facilitators, and advocate for sport's transformative impact. Our values drive equitable access, personal development, stakeholder education, and collaborative efforts for better futures. |
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Sanskriti Samvardan Mandal Sanskriti Samvardan Mandal runs the Eklavya Sports Academy, established in 2005 in Nanded, Maharashtra. Focused on rural youth, it offers centralized sporting education, emphasizing skill development and sustainable rural development through agriculture and natural resource management interventions. |
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Life Sports Academy Life Sports Academy offers professional sports training and life coaching, emphasizing values like discipline and perseverance. Committed to fair play, we believe in creating opportunities for every child to thrive. Located in Chennai, Tamilnadu, we promote holistic development through multi-sport programs. |
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Simply Periods handbook We launched a sneak peek of the Simply Periods handbook on popular demand of the athletes and coaches on World Menstrual Hygiene Day. This could very well be India's first handbook explaining menstrual health and it's connection with training and performance built specifically for Indian athletes and coaches. When we looked at the resources available on this topic for our stakeholders in Indian sport, while they were all fantastic, they all were conceived for athletes and coaches outside the country. The language, the people, the stories didn't depict us. We realised given our experience working on the ground in India, that we needed to build a resource made by and for Indians. The full book will be launched in the coming quarter and we can’t wait for all of you to get your hands on it. |
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Summer Camp In association with Bengaluru Torpedoes and supported by BBMP, we conducted a Volleyball Summer Camp. The camp witnessed participation from over 40 athletes. The primary aim of this event was to make the volleyball summer camp accessible and equitable for all. We provided free training for students coming from underprivileged backgrounds and charged a minimal fee for others. This initiative was a significant step towards promoting sports among the youth and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their participation in such enriching activities. |
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Yoga Day On the occasion of International Yoga Day, we celebrated with our partners, witnessing participation from over 1,000 kids across India. This event aimed to promote the importance of yoga and its benefits for physical and mental health among young children. The large turnout demonstrated the growing interest and awareness about yoga, making it a successful and impactful event. |
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4. Stories From Our Ecosystem |
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A Story of Resilience and Triumph: Pavithra's Journey to the Asian Volleyball Championship |
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At the heart of Chennai's vibrant sports community, a remarkable story of resilience and triumph has emerged from Life Sports Academy, with whom our foundation has proudly partnered for grassroots development. This is the inspiring journey of Pavithra R., a young athlete whose dedication and hard work have recently culminated in her participation at the Asian Volleyball Championship, an achievement made possible through our financial support. Pavithra, a 12th-grade student at Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School in Perambur, has shown extraordinary determination from an early age. Her journey began in Villupuram district, where she represented her region in various state championships. Her talent and perseverance shone brightly as she placed 4th in the youth category (U/22) representing Tamil Nadu in 2022 and subsequently played for India in the U/18 category at the Asian Volleyball Championship. |
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Pavithra's accomplishments are particularly significant given the numerous challenges she faced growing up. After the loss of her father, her family struggled both emotionally and financially. Her mother, who works in an export company, provided what support she could, but Pavithra often found herself without the proper sports equipment and diet needed for rigorous training. Balancing her studies with her passion for volleyball added to her difficulties, yet she remained steadfast in her pursuit. Despite these hardships, Pavithra's resolve never wavered. She faced societal pressures and discrimination, particularly as a girl from a traditional Hindu family where playing sports and staying out late were frowned upon. Additionally, she encountered biases during selections for state and national teams, often being overlooked due to her background and attire. Nevertheless, her undeniable talent and dedication eventually broke through these barriers, allowing her to contribute significantly to her teams' successes. Pavithra's goals are clear and ambitious: she aims to represent Tamil Nadu at the national level, continuously improve her skills, and secure a place in the Indian national team to compete at the highest levels. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of support in nurturing young talent.
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6. Corporate Social Responsibility |
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As we enter a new quarter, we are excited to reflect on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) journey we have undertaken starting this year. We have embraced a commitment to fostering meaningful change in our communities and beyond with the help of corporations interested in the area of sports in India. This report highlights our zeal, collaborative efforts, and milestones achieved as we strive to impact grassroots sports in India through various initiatives positively. |
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Total CSR Committed This Quarter Across Programs And Partners 1.845 Cr INR |
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As we review this quarter's CSR achievements, we affirm our commitment to transparency and efficiency Every rupee from our corporate donors is utilized to maximize impact, creating lasting change in the communities we serve. Through strategic partnerships and program designs, we address immediate needs and lay the groundwork for sustainable development. Our initiatives, such as education scholarships, mental health workshops, and grassroots sports programs, are designed for long-term benefits. Moving forward, we pledge to continue our dedicated efforts, striving to make a meaningful difference and build a more inclusive society. |
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7. Welcoming New Members To The Team |
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Sparsha Rai is currently pursuing her degree in applied psychology from NMIMS, Bombay. She originally hails from a small yet stunning city known as Mangalore located in the beautiful state of Karnataka. What started as a mere fascination for the field of psychology has now fully blown into a passionate career path for her. A sportsperson’s public life is known to all, but the mental troubles that they privately struggle with are not known to many; The intricacies and unexplored nature of sports psychology is what made this subfield interesting to her. Hence, with the help of this internship opportunity she wishes to learn more about the field and grow to make a possible change in the field. |
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Radhapyari is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work ( Clinical and Community Practice ) at Christ University. She has joined as a CSR intern at Simply Sport India. She brings valuable experience from her previous roles in the field, where she played a crucial part in implementing various programs. Radhapyari joined Simply Sport India to deepen her understanding of partnerships and sponsorships, which are pivotal in executing successful programs. She has high hopes for both professional and personal growth within the organization. With immense enthusiasm for learning, Radhapyari is eager to contribute to the vision of SSF and make a meaningful impact. She looks forward to collaborating with the team and embracing the opportunities ahead to enhance her skills and knowledge. |
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Ever since its inception, Simply Sport, Simply Periods and Simply Smiles has maintained an article page comprising pieces written on a wide range of sporting topics by individuals hailing from various walks of life. This quarter, we posted 9 articles on our website. |
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The Coach Factor: How Personality Influences Athlete Performance |
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Financial Literacy ‘For her’ |
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Fair Play For All: Confronting Gender Biases In Sports |
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The psychology of winning and losing |
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BVL In Assam: My First Experience As A Simply Periods Facilitator |
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Seed Cycling: Unveiling the Power of Seeds for Hormonal Harmony in Indian Women, Especially Athletes! |
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Managing Premenstrual Syndrome for Female Athletes: Psychological Strategies for Peak Performance |
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The excitement is brewing in India as the 2024 Paris Olympics approach. The nation's top athletes are in rigorous training, aiming to not only qualify but also bring home medals. Cricket might reign supreme in India, but the Olympics provide a platform for other sports to shine. From the graceful leaps of our badminton players to the raw power of our weightlifters, all of India will be glued to the screens, cheering on our Olympians as they vie for glory on the world stage. |
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This year's Olympics hold particular significance as India looks to build on the strong showing at the 2020 Tokyo Games. With Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal in javelin throw still fresh in everyone's minds, there's a newfound belief that a podium finish is a possibility for many Indian athletes. The nation eagerly awaits to see if our Olympians can rise to the challenge and rewrite history in the City of Lights. |
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The promise of a strong showing is bright. But talent doesn't just appear on the world stage. Every Olympian started their journey somewhere, and with support from coaches, communities, and even you, aspiring athletes at the grassroots level can dream of their own Olympic moment someday. Join us in our constant mission as we strive hard to impact and empower our athletes, to help them live their dreams, and to make the nation proud. |
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