The Beyond Sport Awards reveal the 2016 official shortlist

The eighth edition of the awards in London introduces a new category, Best New Innovation, promising to be bigger and better than ever before.

The Beyond Sport Summit & Awards is the largest global event convening the world of sport for social change. Since 2009, teams, leagues, federations, brands, corporates, NGOs and development organisations have been gathering to share best practice, celebrate outstanding efforts and develop new partnerships. This year the awards take place on 18-20 October, 2016, returning to its debut location: London.

Chosen from over 250 entries, from 55 different countries, representing over 64 sports, the Beyond Sport Awards, supported by Comic Relief, official shortlist recognises the standout work of organisations from across the globe who are using sport as a means to create positive social impact.

From the integration of the hijab into a football shirt to allow female Muslims to play soccer; to sport as a means to support children physically and psychologically in the wake of a natural disaster; to the use of dance and movement to reduce violence in conflict ridden schools; this year’s shortlist represents some of the most exciting, innovative and inspiring ways sport is being used to change lives.

In a year that sees the Olympic and Paralympic Games travel to South America for the first time, the movement of the games has clearly inspired more work to be delivered across the continent than ever before, with sport visibly playing a key role in breaking down barriers and addressing key issues around conflict resolution and social inclusion.

The 42 shortlisted initiatives will be invited to the Beyond Sport Summit 2016, where the winners will be announced at the prestigious Awards Ceremony.

Taking place at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from Tuesday 18th to Thursday 20th October, the eighth annual Beyond Sport Summit & Awards will bring together the world of sport, business, government and community development. This year’s powerful and timely theme: Beyond Innovation, will explore how technology is advancing human performance as well as how it is increasing sports’ ability to enhance social transformation.

In keeping with this year’s theme, the inaugural Best New Innovation Award, has been introduced to recognise and reward genuinely innovative pieces of work that use technology to advance their programming or project in a unique way.

Since 2009, Beyond Sport has awarded over $5.5million worth of business support and funding has been made available to over 160 winning projects for their innovations and impact through sport.

The winning entries from each category receive a bespoke business support package with opportunities for business mentoring and become members of an influential group of social entrepreneurs in the sporting sphere. The winners of community awards addressing social issues around health, employability and enterprise, social inclusion, education, best new innovation and conflict resolution, will also receive funding from the Beyond Sport Foundation, courtesy of Comic Relief. This funding will be used to help make their organisation more sustainable by supporting growth within their programme and opportunity to further their impact.

Winners will be announced at the Beyond Sport Awards Ceremony on the evening of Day 2 of the Summit in London.

The Beyond Sport Awards 2016 Official Shortlist

Sport Team of the Year:

Arsenal Football Club (Global)
Chicago Fire Soccer Club (USA)
Detroit Pistons (USA)
FC Barcelona (Global)
San Francisco Giants (USA)

Best New Innovation Award:

fanActiv - Fulham Football Foundation (UK)
Football Shirt with Integrated Hijab - hummel A/S (Global)
Just Play Emergency Programme - Oceania Football Confederation (Pacific Island)
Move This World Digital Tools for Emotional Wellbeing - Move This World (USA)

Corporate Citizenship Campaign of the Year:

City Football Group - Cityzens Giving (Global)
Gamesa Renewable Private Ltd. - Gamesa Soccer League (India)
SAP - KickApp Cup (Global)

Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year:

Cairns Hockey Association - Aspire to be Deadly (Australia)
European Club Association - 90 Minutes for Hope (Europe)
Major League Baseball - Play Ball (USA & Canada)
National Rugby League - The School to Work Program (Australia)

Sport for Conflict Resolution Award:

Maré United - Fight For Peace (Brazil/Global)
Mi Vida es un Diamante - Grupo Internacional de Paz (Colombia)
PeacePlayers Basketball Clubs - PeacePlayers International (Middle East)

Sport for Education Award:

FBB Schools - Football Beyond Borders (UK)
Leveling the Playing Field - GOALS (Haiti)
sporteducate - Sported & Deutsche Bank (UK)

Barclays Sport for Employability & Enterprise Award:

Alive and Kicking (Africa)
Society Empowerment Project (Kenya)
StreetElite - The Change Foundation (UK)

Sport for Health Award:

Addressing Gender Based Violence and Sexuality Issues Through Sports in Zimbabwe - Family-In-Need Trust of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
America SCORES (USA)
Chalk Talk Group Therapy - Doc Wayne Youth Services (USA)
Grassroot Soccer Zambia (Zambia)

Sport for Social Inclusion Award:

Community Reintegration Project (CORE) - Hockey Association of Malawi (Malawi)
Compartir Jugando, Diversificación Deportiva - Fundación Tiempo de Juego (Colombia)
International Mixed Ability Rugby (UK)
Playdagogy Program - PLAY International (Global)
Soccer Without Borders (USA)

UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award: