Game Changers en_US

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

Beijing Breakthrough Games Bball Finals

akqa-admin-gc — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:18:10 GMT

Last fall, over 50,000 players participated in the first basketball league for migrant youth in seven major Chinese cities. Training and trials were conducted at 180 schools, with the help of 240 volunteers from nearby universities. This basketball league is part of the Migrant Kids Sports Program, a partnership of China Children and Teens' Fund, Save the Children and Nike. This program aims to help migrant kids beat the odds and breakthrough discrimination and poverty. To date the program has reached over 600 schools and 235,000 youth who have migrated from rural areas to major cities with their parents.

Check out the highlight reel from the finals in Beijing and see what the kids and the volunteers have to say.

2008年秋冬，来自中国7个城市的5万多名青少年篮球运动员参加了第一届流动青少年篮球联赛。180所打工子弟学校参加了赛前训练和常规赛阶段的比赛，240名当地大学生志愿者的参与保证了比赛的顺利进行。这次篮球联赛是‘流动青少年体育公益项目’的一项内容；该项目是中国儿童少年基金会、救助儿童会和耐克中国有限公司联手建立和开展的，目的是推动流动青少年通过运动学习必要的生活技能，以克服困难，打破歧视和贫困。截至目前，该项目已经进入到600多所打工子弟集中的学校，帮助了23.5万名随父母从农村迁徙到城市生活和学习的流动青少年。
欢迎你看看这个短片 – 你不仅能够看到北京决赛的精彩镜头，又能够听到参加比赛的小运动员和大学生志愿者的感言。

Consider This

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:52:53 GMT

This is the age of compromise. 
Fatty food that tastes great or healthy food that tastes like crap.
 Experience or change.
 Career or motherhood. 
The space, comfort, luxury and straight-up blingness of a souped-up Escalade or the quiet efficiency of a Toyota Prius. 
It just seems like we can't have it all. 
And this is most apparent when we're talking about the future of the earth. 
Scarce resources, by their very definition, are trade offs.
 So, reducing CO2 emissions has the effect of restricting production.
 Limiting oil exploration in the US increases our dependence on foreign oil (at least in the short term).
 Bottled water here means less potable water elsewhere.
 And any relief seems to come at the margins — with promises to conserve, to decrease, to limit. 

What if there was another way? 
A path without compromise. 
A closed loop system with no waste and no negative environmental externalities.
 A system that feeds on itself instead of the environment. 
Where performance, innovation and sustainability could mutually reinforce each other. 
Where anything and everything can be recycled into something just as desirable. 
Where you could have your cake and eat it too.
 This is the vision of Nike Considered.
 When the best athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and facilities on the planet are continually made from the best athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and facilities on the planet, we are all winners.

Checking Back in on Hispanic Heritage Month

NikeGamechangers — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:21:22 GMT

While Hispanic Heritage Month in the US may have ended on October 15th, it’s always a good time to take notice of inspired talent.

During October, 7 Miami high schools participated in a design challenge on the theme of ‘Pride In Our Hispanic Heritage.’ The designs were judged by hip-hop artist, Fat Joe; local artist, Lebo; Chris Nunez of Miami Ink; baseball player, Gio Gonzalez; and Satcha Pretto of Univision.

Check out the video to get a glimpse of the immense talent and energy in Miami and see the winning design.

Afghanistan Crowned Champions

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:42:13 GMT

A Hollywood director couldn't have scripted a more dramatic final match for the Homeless World Cup if he'd tried. Throughout the 14 minutes, Russia and Afghanistan traded goals with the Afghan goalkeeper making a fierce stand at the end to secure the victory for Afghanistan, 5-4.

With the skill and poise the Afghan team showed throughout the tournament, it was hard to believe that these players came from a country ravaged by war, where true soccer fields and sports programs are severely limited. But with the cheers from the crowd and the photographers shooting away, it was very easy to believe that the Afghans were champions.

The Homeless World Cup may be over for this year, but the soccer will continue as each team returns home determined to make 2009 their year.

What can you do with all the energy you've built up watching the coverage?
• Join the Facebook Group
• Donate
• Stay Up to Date on YouTube

Homeless World Cup: Trophy Stage

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:46:31 GMT

Everyone’s in the hunt now for one of the six Cups that are up for grabs. See who’s in it for what at www.homelessworldcup.org and watch the video to hear what makes the Homeless World Cup mean so much to so many.