News

Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles Fair Play AWARD

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:08:19 -0500

Great news for AWOF! We just won the Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles “Fair Play AWARD”! It’s a big honor for us to receive this prize among the other very valuable nominates. More and more attention and recognition is given to the social power of sport and this gives us a lot of strength and motivation to further diffuse the A World of Football message! Just look how happy we are…

Back in Belgium !

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:48:34 -0400

AWOF is back in Brussels, Belgium… Those 6 months of meeting social actors of football throughout the world have been incredibly intense, instructive and passionating !
We are now more than ever convinced that sport is an essential tool to address social issues and that it gathers people from all over the globe. Therefore, we sincerely hope that in the future those initiatives will be able to develop more in their own community and elsewhere ! Once again, we would like to congratulate all the key actors invested in this social side of football !

Thank you all for your support and daily following. AWOF is not over ! We will keep you updated very soon with our future objectives for a better football !

A Game for Change

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:46:00 -0400

That’s it, the time has come for A World of Football to release the last documentary of the series’ world tour. To do so, we had the chance to come back in Europe right in time to attend the UEFA EURO 2012 organized by Poland and Ukraine. It was the ideal environment to look at the two faces of football: the worldwide dominating media and professional football and its social counterpart. Indeed, during a competition such as the EURO you have got everything: stars, media, fans, passion, social aspects, etc. After nearly 5 months of travelling and visiting social initiatives around the globe, the EURO was the chance to address some questions such as: what is the place of football in our society? Is it a leisure activity, a business, a social vector… or maybe, all of these at the same time?

To answer some of our questions regarding the role of football in nowadays society, we decided to pay a little visit to Streetfootballworld (we encourage you to visit their website at the following address: http://www.streetfootballworld.org/). Basically, this renowned institution has built an enormous network of organizations which all use football to reach certain social goals, depending on the local issue they have to tackle in their own community. However, as pointed out by Christophe Mailliet (Head of Network Operations) such an approach is not always common in people minds. Indeed when people hear and speak about football, it is mainly related to the professional side of the sport. But too often this side of football is associated with negative aspects such as corruption, hooliganism and violence, transfers of players for incredible amounts, famous clubs weighed down with enormous debt, etc.

Yet, the professional football is not only made of negative aspects. For instance, big tournaments such as the EURO or the World Cup represent also major social events. People coming from many different places gather around football, making it the perfect occasion to meet each others. Foremost, these competitions are all about pleasure, emotions, festivity and discovering new cultures. This is the feeling we had during our respective stays in Ukraine and Poland!

Throughout our world tour of football, we have observed that more and more people are starting to think differently about football. The social actors we met have proven that if football is the number one sport on earth, it is first of all for social reasons. Everyone can play football. There are barely any restrictions! Football has the unique power to gather people despite religion, colors, language and even war. Witnessing this on the ground has been quite an experience and a privilege. The four of us are now, more than ever, convinced that football -and sport in general- if used adequately can change society, mentalities and people lives.

The various social initiatives we have had the chance to come across are all doing a crucial and vital job with significant achievements. Especially when you realize how scare are their resources (on a financial, human and equipment point of view). Having these various elements in mind, it is now time to urge the professional clubs and the federations to act. They have the resources and the power to support and develop this social side of football. As stressed Christophe Mailliet in the conclusion of our last documentary: “The day when the clubs and the federations will understand the power they have in their hands with football and start to look at the social side of this sport, we will be able to diffuse incredibly powerful messages and much more…”

To illustrate all this and see how popular and powerful football can be, go watch our last documentary in the roadbook section of this website!

At Berlin to meet Street Football World !

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:48:00 -0400

We finally got to meet Street Football World in Berlin ! It was the opportunity to shoot the last interview of our world tour and to discuss about our respective commitment to social football !
Make sure to check their website as they became the number one reference in development through football (www.streetfootballworld.org).

With AWOF's godfather

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:45:00 -0400

Great catching up with Marc Wilmots in Kiev (EURO host city) ! We took the time to exchange about Belgian football and AWOF’s latest experiences.

Euro 2012 !

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:43:21 -0400

The Euro 2012 is the last stop for A World of Football. This was taken during the game Sweden-France (2-0) just after the wonder goal of Zlatan Ibrahimovic !

Favela Street

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 07:44:00 -0400

Before heading back to Europe, Brazil was a very unique stop for A World of Football ! Football is everywhere. From the first day till the last, we could feel this passion for the beautiful game. Football has become a part of the country’s cultural heritage. All over the world people know legendary players such as Pele or Ronaldo, many have seen pictures of football fields on Copacabana beach…

But there is another side of Brazil in the shadow of this common knowledge. Indeed, while the economical growth of the country is booming, the poverty rate among some part of the population remains critical. In the favelas, neighborhoods located on the side of big cities, this reality is especially marked. Those communities do not perceive the benefits from the country’s boom. On the contrary, they mostly suffer this lack of redistribution while the cost of life rose significantly the last years. In this context, the criminality remains a valuable escape for many youngsters in the favelas. This is why, many of them get invested into the drug traffic at a very young age.

This traffic is controlled by various gangs who rule over the different neighborhoods. They are organized as firms and employ thousands of people at different levels. In those organization, kids from 12 years old might find jobs and remuneration. They are called “drug soldiers”. But from the moment they get involved, their whole life changes and is now conditioned by the traffic. Their liberty is limited as they are purchased by the police, enemies of other gangs and under the full control of their drug lord. Besides, their life is under very high and permanent threat… Indeed, about 80% of youngsters involved in the traffic die before they reach 21 years old. This is a choking detail. Unfortunately, they are very few incentives to convince those boys to leave this lifestyle and to help them to reintegrate society.

The IBISS foundation and the initiative Favela Street decided to tackle this reality. IBISS foundation has long been helping those boys to leave the traffic through negociations with the drug lords and the creation of reinsertion programs. Favela Street is on of those programs using football as a social tool. Indeed, it teaches ex-drug soldiers how to become football educators and how to organize street football tournaments inside the favelas. Those are essential skills in order to make them more confident about their own abilities to do good things. It is also a very useful way for them to reintegrate the community in a peaceful manner as football is a passion shared by everyone over there. On the other hand, with this program, Favela Street also tackles another crucial aspect to cut down the traffic: it occupies the kids during their free time. Therefore, while many spend their days in the streets, the kids from Favela Street’s program are busy playing football and are getting informed with the dangers and temptations of the street. Because nowadays, those ex drug soldiers that became football educators are seen as model for the kids, in a positive way.

Today, Favela Street remains a pilot project located in one favela of Rio de Janeiro. Its founder, Philip Veldhuis, hopes that in the future they will be able to expand the impact in other favelas from other gangs. There is indeed still a lot to be done to assure serenity and good future to the youth of the favelas. But just as Philip, we really think that in this context football as an essential role to play, especially in Brazil. People eat, people breath and people talk all about football, so to reach certain social goals there might be no better method than using the beautiful game…

Get more information about the goals and challenges of Favela Street by watching our documentary in the roadbook section !

More information about the initiative: www.ibiss.info www.youngharmony.nl/favelastreet

Before heading to the UEFA EURO, AWOF is still working on its...

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:04:36 -0400

Before heading to the UEFA EURO, AWOF is still working on its last documentary outside Europe: Brazil ! In a few days, you will know more about it, but in the meantime discover our Brazilian trailer !

Good morning London !

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:03:23 -0400

To our surprise, A World of Football has been highlighted in the Metro London newspaper ! This is great for the broadcasting of our message !

Brazilian documentary

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:01:00 -0400

We are now shooting in Vila Cruzeiro, one of the many favela of Rio de Janeiro.

Stay tuned, there is more coming soon…

Discover the seventh episode of AWOF’s saga on Marc...

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:52:34 -0400

Discover the seventh episode of AWOF’s saga on Marc Wilmots, godfather of the project.

Time to remember one of World Cup 2002 most intensive games : Belgium - Brazil ! On that date, little Belgium almost defeated the Selecao of Ronaldo and co’.

Everything is possible with football !

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We are proud to announce that all our...

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:21:44 -0400

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We are proud to announce that all our documentaries are going to be broadcasted on the Belgian national television (RTBF) during the EURO 2012 !

Do not miss today’s live presentation of the project just before the opening game of the EURO (at 5 pm). One of our documentary will also be aired during the preview show of the second game. Enjoy the competition and this other side to football !

El Socio

Thu, 31 May 2012 15:17:42 -0400

In football’s terms, South America remains the homeland of the two greatest footballers in history. Over there, life is rythmed around football. AWOF’s first stop there was Argentina!

The country contains many famous football clubs. Among these, it is impossible to not mention the Club Atlético Boca Juniors. Based in Buenos Aires, the club was created in 1905 by five italian migrants. It is now one of the most successful clubs in the world. Some legendary players were key of the succes of the team, but one remains in all minds: Diego Armando Maradona. Considered by many as the greatest football player of all time, El Pibe de Oro (the golden boy) remains an idol and a true legend. Boca Juniors is also known for its fanatic supporters and the particular atmosphere taking place in their stadium: La Bombonera. We have been lucky enough to attend a game and we have to confirm that something really unique is happening there!

However, Boca is not just a football club. Indeed, the club also plays a strong social role. The working-class district of La Boca is inhabited by some of the most underprivileged people in the Argentinian capital. Some of these people don’t have the chance to pursue their education and cannot access a wide set of services. Facing this situation, the club offers a range of various services for local youngsters: a health center, tutoring classes, a library, lessons of dance, guitar, painting, etc. All these activities take place inside the stadium.

Throughout our work, we wanted to transmit the special atmosphere of a popular neighborhood life and to illustrate how a football club has the power to shape the community. In order to achieve this, we followed Pablo, a well-known face of the La Boca and leader of the club’s orchestra: “Los Amantes de la Boca”. Through his testimony, he explains to us the importance of football in his life and its neighboorhood.

Discover now our documenatary: “El Socio” !

A World of Football - United Around the

Globe Next Stop: Brazil !

A World of Football is now in Latin America. First stop:...

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:45:10 -0400

A World of Football is now in Latin America. First stop: Argentina ! Through this trailer, discover a glance of its people, culture, landscape and immense football passion…

The documentary will be out very soon !

Discover the sixth episode of AWOF’s saga on Marc Wilmots,...

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:43:05 -0400

Discover the sixth episode of AWOF’s saga on Marc Wilmots, godfather of the project.

A football game is never finished, you have to fight until the last minute ! This was the mentality shown by the Red Devils against Scotland during the World Cup 2002 qualifications.

Discover the fifth episode of AWOF’s saga on Marc Wilmots,...

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:32:32 -0400

Discover the fifth episode of AWOF’s saga on Marc Wilmots, godfather of the project.

The Belgian national team has made the news headlines lately. In this brand new episode, Marc Wilmots explains how this squad has the potential to unite the country !

A World of Football at Boca Juniors

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:24:48 -0400

We enjoyed a big game at la Bombonera: Boca Juniors against Vélez ! In order to be able to film, we managed to get press cards. It has been a huge excitement for us to live this incredible experience…

A tale of passion

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:55:28 -0400

After a very intense stop in India, the A World of Football project headed towards Thailand. We knew in advance the passion of the Thais for football, but still we were really impressed by the omnipresence of the beautiful game in this wonderful country: football fields everywhere, jerseys on almost everyone’s shoulder, live games in the pubs,…

Of course, Thailand is also particularly known for its amazing landscapes which gather together magnificient moutains, jungle, islands and sandy beaches. In this very unique environment, we had the chance to spend a few days of shooting in the village of Koh Panyee. It has the particularity of being a fishing village entirely built upon water. Considering this, the leisure time of the inhabitants is conditionned by the location. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of their main sport activities is rowing.

But nevertheless, we felt in this place a very strong passion for football. It might appear astonishing as on a floating village, it is not really common to play football. In fact, the village people long had to wait for the full moon period because it is exlusively at this period that the tide is strong enough to enable them to shoot in the ball. Indeed when the sea goes down, a sandy field appears a few meters from the village. When this arrives, many young men jump into the boats and join the pitch in order to enjoy an intense session of football. But after an hour, the sea takes control of the place again and the field disappears under the blue water.

This situation appeared to be quite frustrating for the village’s football fanatics as they then had to wait one more month before the next football session. This is why, animated by their passion for the game, they decided to take a new challenge: to build a football pitch on the water ! Starting with woodsticks and rope, they managed to build a first small pitch litteraly floating on the water. After that, as the passion was still growing, they went further with the construction of a second field, bigger this time and elevated on pilotis !

Today, the life of the whole village is rythmed around football. Indeed, everyday at five, after the fishing, the village gathers next to the fields. Both the kids, the young men and older fishermen come there to play the game. No matter what, this is their football time of the day ! Everyday, we could feel the same enthousiasm. More than ever, we are convinced of the unique power of football to procure pleasure and to bring people together. In Koh Panyee, football is way wore than just a sport, it is passion that invigorates the daily life of many generations…

Discover the amazing story of Koh Panyee and enjoy their enthousiam for the game by watching A World of Football’s last documentary, A tel of passion .

A World of Football - United Around the Globe

Next Stop: Argentina !

Discover episode 3 and 4 of AWOF’s saga on Marc Wilmots,...

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:19:00 -0400

Discover episode 3 and 4 of AWOF’s saga on Marc Wilmots, godfather of the project.

This time, he tells us about his first steps as a professional player and describes with emotions some very intense moments of his career and the atmosphere surrounding a football game. This is for all the football fans !

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:16:00 -0400