PLAY SOCCER Nonprofit International (PSNI)

PLAY SOCCER Nonprofit International (PSNI) is an umbrella organisation for a Network of independent affiliates and partners in Africa and the USA.  Established in 1999, it has 501 C3 tax exempt status in the USA and is recognized with Consultative Status by the United Nations.  PSNI provides the intellectual property free of charge for a common program, Play for Fun, Learn for Life,  that is implemented throughout the Network,  and related training and capacity building for the participatiing organisations.

The program supports the health, education, physical and socio-economic development of children and youth using the world's most popoular sport as a purposeful recreational vehicle to develop them as players who love the game, have the knowledge and skills to lead healthy productive lives, and engage through the sport as agents of positive change in their communities.  The curriculum focuses on health, broadly defined, and teaches health and social life skills and football through activity based education.  It begins with young children to encourage early childhood development and lifelong learning. Local young people are trained as volunteer instructors, building not only their vocational skills, but also volunteerism and community service. The programme is coeducational to encourage gender equality, is free and open to all, and  aims to provide its resources in the most underserved communities.

PSNI founded and provides leadership for the annual Global Peace Games for Children and Youth and collaborates on other activities to encourage cultural understanding, global friendship and the prevention of violence.

PSNI has been recognized with several awards including the 2010 Trophy for 'Sport and Education' at the second Global Sports Forum in Barcelona and the 'Sports NGO for Peace of the Year' award at the 3rd Annual Peace and Sport International Forum in Monaco. The organisation was also shortlisted for the 2009 UNICEF Children's Rights Award and awarded a grant by the US Department of State to support the partnership between the Ohio University and PSNI.