I grew up surrounded by sport. As kids, we went to a local gym and did all kinds of interesting and fun things. I remember that I loved climbing up this huge rope to the top of the ceiling of the gym. Hard work.
We had sport in school as well as PE, Physical Education classes. My brothers were in baseball, and I played tennis. We all had to go to swimming lessons. Two of us ran, one was in wrestling. We learned from our dad to fish, to shoot, and do archery. I was fortunate growing up in the Midwest and having fun.
Many children today do not have access to sport. I know this is hard to believe, but in London, the Catholic Church saw this need and decided to organize a sport's charity. This is an excellent idea and I support it 100%. Msgr. Vladimir Felzmann is the Chaplain for Sport. He told me that the ideals of this charity are to support sport in Catholic schools, in parishes, after school and with clubs.
The Foundation's goals are to create an awareness that all children, (and may I add, especially boys) need a communal connection to the Church through sport. This may keep them out of gangs; creating groups which provide communal security, by giving youth a place to recreate and form friendships in the Faith.
The goals are thus: to get access to facilities, especially during the summer break, on weekends and in evenings to allow sports activities.
Two, to make all realize that each parish community could have sport's clubs to develop virtues and skills, as well as friendships.
Three, to improve standards of sport (see the website link for more on this)
Four, to emphasize the spiritual values of sport.
Five, the provide summer sports camps, which Americans take for granted, helping boarding schools run camps for other children.
Six, "to enable people to thrive physically, morally and spiritual through sport" and to encourage them by awards. Some of these awards are:
David Sheppard Award for Anti-Racism through Sport
Basil Hume Award for Rugby
Sister Julie Billiart Award for Girls’ Disability Sport
Amy Williams Award for Winter Sports
Muhammad Ali Award for Health & Well-Being through Sport
Jerzy Kluger Award for Jewish-Christian Relations through Sport
Joe Calzhage Award for Outstanding Club Service
Jimmy Mizen Award for Special Initiatives Bringing Communities and People Together
