Game Changers en_US

2009 New York Knicks Poetry Slam

NikeGamechangers — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:47:57 GMT

Last Sunday the New York Knicks hosted the first event of their 2009 Poetry Slam series-- young poets auditioned for chance at the semi-finals in January and, ultimately, a shot at full tuition scholarships to the University of Wisconsin and Mercy College here in New York, along with 3,000 dollars worth of other scholarships and grants.

U of Wisconsin had an especially strong showing, opening the day up with performances by a few poets from their urban arts program, "First Wave". The poets were all winners from the Knicks Poetry Slam in 2007 or 2008 who scored scholarships into UW's First Wave, the world's first ever college hip-hop and slam program.

In just a couple weeks, contestants will know if they've been selected to advance into the semi-finals, but even those of us who didn't audition for the slam came away with the knowledge gained in an array of financial planning and college information workshops.

And everybody got to take in a day of world-class entertainment by poets, dancers, MC's and beatboxers.

Nike N7– EVERYBODY LEAVES A FOOTPRINT

NikeGamechangers — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:55:24 GMT

Inspired by Native cultures and engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact, the Nike N7 Collection strives to make us aware of the footprint we leave for generations to come.

The Nike N7 Collection Features:
· N7 Air Pegasus+ 26
· N7 Huarache
· N7 SMS RT in preschool and toddler sizes
· N7 Organic Cotton Tee

Available beginning Saturday, November 7th at 33 Nike Factory Stores in the US and on NikeStore.com, profits go to the N7 Fund, which is committed to unleashing the potential of Native American youth through sport. In addition to building surfaces for play, the N7 Fund provides grants and product donations to support youth in their quest for sport; and it brings volunteers, organizations and decision-makers together to improve opportunities that help youth grow up healthy and active. When one generation realizes its potential, future generations are much stronger for it.

More Than A Game: London

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:45:22 GMT

Over the summer LeBron James went on a worldwide tour to promote his movie, More Than A Game, and the bigger message that for those who play, basketball is more than a game. It’s an identity, a means of personal expression. It’s a  way of life. And when we recognize the value of the game beyond the confines of the court, we do more than improve our game; we improve our world.

In London, Sport Action Zone, in partnership with Nike and the NBA, will provide a new basketball legacy program offering facilities, training, coaching and opportunities for young people across the capital.

Play your part in this hugely exciting project: Play, Volunteer, Donate.

Stand Up Speak Up

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:38:14 GMT

Launched in 2005, Stand Up Speak Up raised the issue of racism on the football pitch on an international stage. The symbol, black and white interlocking wristbands, was worn across Europe and by top footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

All told, five million wristbands were sold and the proceeds distributed to innovative projects across Europe that use the power of football to combat racism on and off the pitch.

Check out the video to see one example of the hundreds of projects supported by the efforts Stand Up Speak Up.

Homeless World Cup- The Championship

NikeGamechangers — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:44:45 GMT

Though the teams may be gone and the army barrack tents where they stayed taken down, the energy remains. Relive the grit and glory of the final match- Ukraine v Portugal. The Ukraine pulled it out in a closely-contested match, where one teams goal always seemed to meet with a counter goal from the other squad. But words can't do it justice. Check out the video to see the joy of victory and the agony of defeat unfold for yourself. And to get one last jolt of energy from lives being changed.

Homeless World Cup- Behind the Scenes

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:41:40 GMT

The Homeless World Cup may be over (Ukraine took the cup over Portugal in the finals), but the fun continues. Take a look as Buddy goes behind the scenes with Malawi team to check out their digs during the tournament.

Homeless World Cup- Meet the Players

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:24:52 GMT

Fierce footballers on the pitch, catch the video and check out the player profiles at www.homelessworldcup.org to get a sense of what the players of the 2009 Homeless World Cup are like off the pitch.

Homeless World Cup- A Taste of the Glory

NikeGamechangers — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:59:41 GMT

Fueled by the energy on the pitch, Buddy tries to get in on the action.

In other Homeless World Cup action- Nigeria, Brazil, Denmark, Kyrgyzstan and Argentina sit atop their respective groups while the other three are locked in ties. For the most up-to-date results, go to www.homelessworldcup.org

Homeless World Cup- On the Pitch

NikeGamechangers — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:44:29 GMT

Excitement runs high as players hit the court for the first time in the 4v4, street soccer setup. Check out the fast-paced, high-energy action.

And of course, follow the latest results at www.homelessworldcup.org

Homeless World Cup- The Parade

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:11:31 GMT

Teams showed their national pride on the streets of Milan one last time before getting down to business on the pitch.

Homeless World Cup- The Draw

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:56:10 GMT

The tournament gets under way with all of the 48 teams gathering to find out which bracket their in and scope out the competition.

Homeless World Cup- The Adventure Begins

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:45:32 GMT

The 7th Annual Homeless World Cup is underway in Milan. Throughout the week 500 players from 48 nations will battle it out street soccer styles (22 meter x 16 meter court, 4 players a side, 7 minute halves) to be crowned 2009 Homeless World Cup Champions.

Started in 2003 the Homeless World Cup unites teams of people who are homeless and excluded to represent their country in an annual weeklong tournament. As a result of their participation, 73% of players change their lives for the better, coming off of drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, educations, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for pro or semi-pro soccer teams. Those are big time results- bigger than any win or loss on the pitch.

This year we have an inside look on the tournament happenings in the streets of Milan thanks to our friend, Buddy. Check out the first installment, as Buddy finds his way through Milan to the tournament site.

And of course keep up on the latest Homeless World Cup results at www.homelessworldcup.org

More Than A Game

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:26:21 GMT

LeBron James is on the move, touring the globe with his new documentary, More Than A Game. The movie follows LeBron and his teammates, the "Fab Five," from a rundown inner-city gym to the national high school championship with St Vincent- St Mary's. And as the title indicates, it's about more than basketball; it's about the friends, the challenges and the opportunities that took them out of Akron and onto the world stage alongside James.

And just as the movie is about more than basketball, the tour is about more than the movie. At every stop on the tour Nike Basketball is helping to bring the game of basketball to communities. In DC Nike Basketball helped refurbish the Barry Farms main court at Rucker Park, where the area's top talent can often be seen, showing off their skills.

At the press conference, DC's Mayor Fenty announced that the city would match Nike Basketball's investment and refurbish the entire park. A good day for DC. A good day for basketball.

Follow LeBron's every move on Nike Basketball

And find ways to be a Gamechanger in your community at: http://volunteer.Up2Us.org/

Photo Credit: Vikrum Aiyer for the Executive Office of the Mayor

Lots of Big Work In Vietnam

NikeGamechangers — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:59:52 GMT

Nike Vietnam has been on a tear this year with community initiatives from microloans to sports programming for the disabled to a new Nike Grind soccer field. Here are some tidbits…

In its 12th year the Microloan program empowers young women to start their own businesses and provides educational opportunities through the Vietnam Women’s Union. To date the program has helped more than 3,000 women start their own small business.

The Microhousing program launched in March 2007 helps improve housing conditions for disadvantaged women. It has supported over 200 women with new houses, improved sanitation system, water supply and renovations as well as training the women in low cost construction and supervision and financial management.

In sports the Nike Partnercup showcased the top junior-high soccer talent in Vietnam for the 7th straight year. The Fourth Annual Sports Festival for People with Disabilities truly lived out Bowerman’s belief that “If you have a body, you are an athlete.” And the Annual Fun Run got everyone out and moving and having some fun.

As if that weren’t enough, Nike Vietnam also helped build kindergartens for disadvantaged children, offered grants and scholarships to high-achieving students, donated a Nike Grind soccer field and planted 1,500 trees for World Environment Day.

Impressive.

Football Photographer Comes Into His Own in South Africa

NikeGamechangers — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:59:20 GMT

Back in 2005 Nike distributed 1,000 disposable cameras to football crazy kids across South Africa through nonprofit partners. Three winners were chosen for their excellent shots. Morris was one of the young winners, and his photography was exhibited and auctioned at the Nike Point, Click, Shoot Exhibition in Johannesburg and Amsterdam. The money raised from the exhibit was used to pay the tuition fees and equipment for each of the winners to attend photography school. Morris is now a true photographer and has already shot community sport events with more coming his way.