New ‘social inclusion wellbeing football league’ hailed as a success – Yahoo

Report on the Inaugural Cumberland Social Inclusion Wellbeing Football League

Introduction

The Cumberland Football Association (FA) has reported the successful conclusion of the county’s first Social Inclusion Wellbeing Football League. The initiative, which ran from December to its conclusion last month, has been recognized as a significant achievement in leveraging sport to foster community cohesion and advance key social objectives. The league’s framework and outcomes demonstrate a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on health, equality, and community development.

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The league’s core mission is intrinsically linked to the global agenda for sustainable development. Its impact can be measured against the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The league directly promotes physical and mental well-being by providing a structured, supportive environment for physical activity. It specifically engages teams from mental health support groups and physical health referral programs, contributing to positive health outcomes.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By design, the league creates opportunities for marginalized and under-represented groups. It actively reduces inequality by offering a platform for individuals who may not have access to traditional competitive sport, including those from homelessness support initiatives, service veterans, and LGBTQ+ communities.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The initiative strengthens the social fabric of local communities by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. This fosters social inclusion and builds more resilient, connected, and supportive communities through the shared power of football.

League Overview and Structure

Primary Objectives

The league was established with a multi-faceted purpose beyond competition. The primary goals were to:

• Foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.
• Provide a platform for mental health support and community connection.
• Champion social inclusion through sport.
• Offer a competitive outlet for teams rooted in wellbeing and social causes.

Target Participants and Inclusivity Mandate

To ensure the league meets its objectives under SDG 10, it welcomes teams from a wide range of backgrounds, including:

• Mental health support groups
• Weight management and physical health referral teams
• Recreational, social, and small-sided football groups
• Social inclusion initiatives supporting groups such as:
• Homeless individuals
• Service veterans
• LGBTQ+ communities
• Deaf and hard-of-hearing players

To maintain its focus on inclusivity, the league is not open to teams or players already participating in traditional Saturday or Sunday leagues, unless a specific dispensation is granted.

Inaugural Season Outcomes

Participation and Results

The Cumberland division’s inaugural season featured six teams from diverse community backgrounds. While the primary focus was on participation and wellbeing, a competitive element was maintained. The final standings were as follows:

1. Champions: Hilltop FC (Carlisle)
2. Runners-up: Tubby FC (Whitehaven)

2024 Cumberland Division Teams

• Tubby FC (Whitehaven)
• Border City Greens (Carlisle)
• Carlisle City Deaf (Carlisle)
• Clear Your Head Kick About (Whitehaven)
• Hilltop FC (Carlisle)

Future Directives and Expansion

Following the success of the initial season, the league is preparing for a summer programme of fixtures. An invitation has been extended for new teams and individual players to join the initiative, furthering its contribution to community health and social inclusion. The deadline for new registrations is Monday, July 21. The provision of entry funding and ongoing support ensures that participation remains affordable and administratively simple, removing barriers and promoting wider engagement in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on the Social Inclusion Wellbeing Football League highlights initiatives that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article explicitly states that the league is about “mental health support,” “community connection,” and “wellbeing.” It is tailored for teams from “Mental health support groups” and “Weight management and physical health referral teams.” This focus on both mental and physical health through a community sports initiative directly aligns with SDG 3.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  A primary goal of the league is “social inclusion.” The article emphasizes this by listing the diverse and often marginalized groups it welcomes, including “homelessness support,” “service veterans,” “LGBTQ+ communities,” and the deaf community (represented by the “Carlisle City Deaf” team). By providing a platform for those who “may not typically have access to competitive football,” the league actively works to reduce inequalities and promote the inclusion of all.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The league aims to “bring communities together” and foster a “welcoming and supportive environment.” By creating an accessible and inclusive space for recreation and social interaction, the initiative contributes to making communities more inclusive and cohesive, which is a key aspect of SDG 11.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   The league directly addresses the second part of this target. The article describes it as a “Social Inclusion Wellbeing League” that is “more than just a game; it’s about mental health support, community connection, and social inclusion.” The inclusion of teams like “Clear Your Head Kick About” and those from “mental health support groups” demonstrates a clear effort to promote mental health and well-being through sport.

2. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

   This target is central to the league’s mission. The article states the league is designed for “social inclusion initiatives” and explicitly welcomes teams from diverse backgrounds, including those supporting the homeless, veterans, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities (e.g., “Carlisle City Deaf”). This initiative directly promotes the social inclusion of these specific groups.

3. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

   The football league creates an inclusive and accessible recreational space. The article highlights its inclusivity by stating it is for those who “may not typically have access to competitive football” and ensures fairness by restricting participation from traditional league players. The fact that it is “affordable and hassle-free” further enhances its accessibility, aligning with the goal of providing accessible public spaces for community interaction.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicators for Target 3.4 (Promote mental health and well-being):

  Progress can be measured by:

  • The existence and continuation of the league itself, which is described as a program for “wellbeing” and “mental health support.”
  • The number of participating teams rooted in health and wellbeing, such as “Mental health support groups” and “Weight management and physical health referral teams.” The article names “Clear Your Head Kick About” as a specific example.

• Indicators for Target 10.2 (Promote social inclusion):

  Progress can be measured by:

  • The number and diversity of teams from marginalized groups. The article provides a specific list of targeted groups (“homelessness support,” “service veterans,” “LGBTQ+ communities”) and participating teams (“Carlisle City Deaf”).
  • The total number of players from these backgrounds who are engaged in the league. The call for “new teams and individual players” suggests an aim to increase this number.

• Indicators for Target 11.7 (Provide access to inclusive spaces):

  Progress can be measured by:

  • The number of teams participating in the league (the article states there were six in the Cumberland division).
  • The successful completion of one season and the planning for a “summer programme,” indicating sustained use of this community space.
  • The affordability and accessibility of the program, confirmed by the statement that “getting involved is both affordable and hassle-free.”

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com