Why is it important to give sports opportunities to homeless and socially disadvantaged people? Sport is fun and therefore not a first priority neither to homeless and socially disadvantaged people nor to society to provide these opportunities. However study shows that a high intensive sport like street soccer has a significant impact on improving the general health among a target group with a poor physical condition. But even more interesting are the social and psychological effects street soccer has on every player, an effect that for many proves to be life- changing.
Lene has been developing how sports can be used as a method for working with homeless and socially disadvantaged people since 2009 and some of her results include a national team for women and drop in sessions across Denmark. She is currently working on an European Street Soccer Coach education along with 9 European countries as well as developing a new and more inclusive structure of football clubs in Denmark.
Lene's organization, OMBOLD, is a non-profit organization that delivers street soccer activities to homeless and socially disadvantaged people across Denmark.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)