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The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis that the world has not faced in 100 years. It has impacted the global community. The measures taken to contain the spread of the virus have put most socio-economic sectors of life under tremendous strain, including suspension of sport initiatives. People have been asked to stay at home as much as possible and children could not attend school or recreational activities. However, despite the ongoing pandemic people of all ages and abilities have found ways to keep physically fit and have fun during this period. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered every aspect of child, adolescent, and youth life from health and work to education and exercise. Over the long term, the negative mental health effects of the coronavirus could be serious and long-lasting.
Yet, we are not powerless. A “simple” ball can do wonders in keeping us mentally and physically fit, boost our immune system and mood, and have a positive impact on our behavior. In times of physical distancing, what sports can be played? And how can children stay active in times of isolation? Inter Campus sets an example of good practices for children, adolescents and youth on the right to play, at all times. It is a non-profit social project founded and run by the professional Italian Football Club Inter Milan, with activities in 30 countries around the world.
Since 1997 Inter Campus gives back the “Right to Play“ to thousands of children from vulnerable groups of society, using the values of sport and the game of soccer (also called football) as an educational tool. Its philosophy is to contribute to the development of local communities, and to support educational, social and sanitary protection programs carried out by local partners. Moreover, Inter Campus promotes social integration among differing ethnic groups and cultures. This is very much aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind and its preamble that recognizes that sport is an enabler of development and peace.
In my conversation with managers of Inter Campus on how they respond to the present pandemic and promote resilience in children and contribute to happy families, Inter Campus explained that they are promoting a basic educational program through virtual proximity by increasing contacts with local mentors and coaches - key figures of the project in the area - who in turn can encourage virtual meetings with families and children. They then share videos of exercises with local referents and coaches, created by Inter Campus technical staff, to be replicated at home using a mobile phone and simple everyday objects that replace the sports material normally available on the pitches. A way to make children feel part of the Inter Campus team and family is giving them alternative solutions and once found, even if physically distant, it is possible to play together.
Inter Campus is also leading social research with the goal of measuring the impact of soccer activities on children's development, including reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience. An example of how this works is the empowering story of a child in Mexico who lives in an unsafe neighborhood, Ecatepec de Morelos[1], where children are exposed to many risks to their development. Here a child called Inaki, 6 years old, is part of the project and diagnosed with ADHD and depressive tendencies. During this pandemic his father fell ill with COVID 19, exposing the child to a high level of stress. Inaki is following a psychological therapy also supported by Inter Campus staff (Italian and Mexican) that constantly keeps in touch with him and his family, helping them through physical, psychological and social virtual activities. These coping strategies are giving much relief to the child and his family.
Moreover, Inter Campus staff, in accordance with educational guidelines, aims to enhance children’s self-efficacy and self-esteem, culminating in enhancing the overall resiliency in children and adolescents. Resiliency is generally defined as the way one reacts to their environment; specifically, in the face of adverse circumstances. So, this non-profit social project, through its virtual activities, aims to develop Sense of Mastery, Sense of Relatedness and Emotional Reactivity as a fundamental pillar of resiliency in children and adolescents.[2]
Inter Campus opened its first program office in the United States in Queens, one of the most diverse boroughs of New York City, in partnership with a school this year. Many children in that school have lost their parents or their parents have lost their jobs, did not have computers for e-learning, and presently have been deprived from the mental and physical benefits, fun and joy, and pride of being in the soccer team of Inter Campus. Many American parents experience higher level of stress due to the disruptions of their children and teens’ lives under the age of 18 in Queens neighborhood, caused by COVID-19. More than 7 in 10 say managing distance/online learning for their children is a significant source of stress (71%).[3]
The average reported stress level for U.S. adults and children related to the coronavirus pandemic is 5.9. This is significantly higher than the average stress level reported in the 2019 Annual Stress in AmericaTM1 survey, which was 4.9, and marks the first significant increase in average reported stress since the survey began in 2007. This means children and their families are exposed to great psychological problems like anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, as well as social problems due to the lack of relationship with their peers and friends. Hispanics (most of Inter Campus NYC children are of Hispanic Latin origin) are also most likely to say they constantly or often feel stress as a result of the pandemic (37%), as compared with white (32%), black (32%), Native American (31%), and Asian (28%) adults and children.
Management of Inter Campus believes that the future ahead is complex but: “we will not lose hope of being able to help these children and their families with remote support and as soon as possible with the restoration of Inter Campus activities on the soccer pitch”. An example of what is being done to support pupils, where possible, is to organize video calls between Italian project managers, coaches, local coaches and mentors involving children who have technological tools that allow them to actively participate in games (including physical ones) and quizzes. Thus, making children, at least the older and more competent ones, "autonomous" to experience a moment of leisure and sport offers the possibility also for the parents to have a moment of "relief". This last is of particular importance especially during the currently difficult times parents are experiencing in which they are subjected to stress, fatigue, and worry. Thus, this is another example of how the professional Inter Milan Football Club contributes with its non-profit social project in creating moments of “relief” for the well-being of the whole family.
In fact, soccer and sports in general are key in promoting the well-being of children and preparing them for the future that will likely be altered once the world recovers from the pandemic; a world that may be different from what children, adolescents, and youth have known as “reality” until a few months ago. Football and sport are games and fun tools that have the power to transmit important values. Inter Campus methodology is designed to achieve the entire development of the child and build their personality by paying attention to the physical, social, cognitive and emotional areas. There are exercises designed by coaches to strengthen weaknesses, to develop self-confidence and to build trust in others. Stronger and more aware children, with the help of the reference adults -- on the pitch, at school, at home -- are and will be more easily able to face difficulties and adapt to changes with a greater positive attitude.
In accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), Inter Campus has recorded a video that complements this article. It demonstrates in simple and pragmatic ways how to provide physical, psychological, and social health support to children and youth by setting good examples for all in mitigating the risks of physical and social inactivity during these months of pandemic and psychological vulnerability.
The video is a powerful message through self-explanatory universal images on how soccer, and in general sport and physical activities, empower children, adolescents and youth, and how children can be messengers for people of all ages on the right behavior to adopt until a treatment or a vaccine for COVID-19 is found.
Yes, this is what a “simple” ball can do!
[1] INEGI 2019
[2] Resiliency Scales for Children & Adolescents – RSCA - by Sandra Prince-Embury. It is a tool to profile personal strengths, as well as vulnerability in teens and children.
[3] American Psychological Association – APA
Source: Dominika Żak on behalf of Inter Campus