Project diary: Workshops and lots of fun as The Ball heads to Auckland

The Ball — football’s equivalent to the Olympic Torch — has arrived in Indonesia on its way to Auckland, in time for the opening game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on July 20.

The project — which aims to raise awareness of climate change and gender equality — heads to Malaysia for a week, followed by a tour of Indonesia.

As The Ball travels from London to Auckland, it’s being signed by supporters of the project.

Main photo: The Ball gains another signature.

New Zealand activities

The Ball’s project team will be in New Zealand for a month and are keen to hear from groups, clubs or organisations who would be interested in hosting an event.

Click here to make contact with the project team >>>>

Here’s the project team’s diary for their latest travels …

Indonesia

The team is in Indonesia from mid-May till June 4, working with NGOs and schools in the capital, Jakarta, and then taking The Ball to Bali.

The Ball in Indonesia is supported by the Swedish Postcode Foundation and the German Embassy in Jakarta.

Activities in Jakarta include:

  • Meeting with Arena FC Women, a club where women of different ages are playing.
  • Meeting with Indonesia’s Women’s National Team Assistant Coach, Coach Yopie.
  • Mixed Fairplay session at Bundesliga’s Common Ground Pitch.
  • Workshop at German School Jakarta on sustainability, gender equality and fair play, including input by the Borussia Mönchengladbach CSR strategy.
  • Workshop with climate justice advocates and sustainability community leaders at Anindhaloka hub.
  • Workshop at the University of Indonesia with sustainability advocates and university students in collaboration with Anindhaloka and the local NGOs Koprol Iklim & Cerah Indonesia.

Activities in Bali include:

  • Presentation of The Ball at Community Festival at Green School.
  • Workshop on sustainability, gender equality and fair play at Green School Bali.
  • Further activities (tbc): Football and fair play camp with the Green School and Brandon McDonald (former professional US soccer player); beach football + beach cleanup sessions.

Malaysia

On their way to Indonesia, the project team visited Malaysia.

The Ball and the Spirit of Football team shared their education methods on fair play, gender equality and sustainability with students at the MAHSA University in Kuala Lumpur.

On May 14, the Spirit of Football team joined Hara Makers for a plastic upcycling session, assisting to make plastic panels from discarded single-use plastic.

The Ball

As The Ball travels around the world, it gathers signatures of individuals who pledge support to advance gender equality and climate action.

Since 2002, more than 56,000 people in 56 countries have signed The Ball.

From 2022 to 2023, 57 partner organizations have organized more than 30 events and workshops that have encouraged action on climate change and gender equality amongst football enthusiasts.

Where it all started

Katie Rood gets the project underway at London’s Battersea Park.

The first person to sign The Ball on its 12-month global climate action and advocacy mission was Football Fern Katie Rood, who plays for Hearts in Scotland, and who kicked off The Ball’s journey in London.

“Everyone loves the World Cup, but if we are to be able to continue playing it in the future, we need collective and urgent climate action. The journey of The Ball across land and sea from London to New Zealand is an opportunity for football to get its environmental act in order. I am going to take action. Are you?”

Spirit of Football’s Ambassador and Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp is also supporting The Ball: “It is a ball for us all. Be part of our team. Everyone can play. Respect your teammates, your opponents and the environment. One Ball, One World.”

How you can help

Do you want to be involved in the project? Follow The Ball’s journey and make your own pledge.

Find out more about the non-profit organization Spirit of Football here >>>

Learn more

READ MORE: Our past stories about The Ball >>>>

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