Building Bridges with Basketball in Spain

Sport is a universal language, bringing people together across cultures and continents. GSP recently participated in a series of basketball friendly matches in southern Spain. A team of athletes from the United States competed against Spanish club teams from Córdoba and Málaga (Alhaurín de la Torre).

The players competed on the court, shared life experiences and encouraged one another to press forward in making a difference through sport and business. The athletes from the United States enjoyed touring the city of Córdoba and the port of Málaga. Friendships were formed as the teams shared a post-match meal together.

This positive experience allowed the Spanish teams to test their level of play while competing against an opponent with a different style of play.  Another example of how GSP's projects help clients improve performance and inspire purpose!

GSP Experts Train Youth Soccer Coaches

Level II-B Coaches Training

The ongoing Saudi Youth Sports Initiative (SYSI) program continued during the last week of January in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ten coaches were enrolled in this Level II-B Coaches Training, held at the Fisal Zahid Sports Park.

Each of the participants previously attended Levels I and II-A of the coaches training taught by GSP experts from the United States. Only those who has successfully completed the earlier courses were allowed to attend. Each coach was given a notebook on the first day and each day thereafter was given the pages of study, training and exercises for that day's training. Time was spent both in the classroom for preparation and explanations, as well as on the field in practicum. The final two days were evaluation days where the GSP experts, Coach Craig Lange and Coach Doug Williams, observed and examined each individual coach's practice plan and how it was  carried out on the field with players.

In the end, eight of the coaches successfully completed the course and were awarded their certificates. Over the next year they will be implementing their training with the respective teams that they each coach. Periodic visits by GSP staff and FZ Park directors will be carried out to provide on-going evaluation. At the end of the year, successful coaches will be provided an opportunity to advance to a higher level of certification.

Bravo to our experts on a job well done and to the coaches who attended each and every session.

GSP and the WNBA in the Arabian Peninsula!

In March 2015, Global Sports Partners collaborated with the US State Department to bring Ruth Riley, former WNBA star, and Becky Bonner, NBA Assistant Coordinator for International Basketball Relations, to Saudi Arabia to interact with women and girls engaged in the local sport, health and fitness lifestyle.  Over the course of a busy week, Ruth and Becky traveled from Riyadh and the Eastern Province to Jeddah on the Red Sea coastline.  

GSP was instrumental in coordinating basketball training opportunities for Ruth and Becky with local sports entities in the Kingdom.  The girls and women who participated in the events were greatly encouraged and excited to have this unique opportunity to learn from women excelling at the highest levels of sport in America.  

GSP was pleased to see the positive impact of this collaboration on all sides.  Great appreciation goes to Ruth and Becky for taking the time and energy to share their skills and experiences with many women and girls in Saudi Arabia.  It was a worthwhile venture that merits the exploration of further events of this caliber.

Qatar Youth Coaches Workshop

Three American sport experts recently conducted a 2-day training workshop in Doha, Qatar, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and hosted by Al-Rayyan Sports Club. More than 30 local coaches participated in classroom and on court/field instruction in the disciplines of Physical Education, Football, and Basketball.

Many thanks to Al-Rayyan for hosting this event, and to all the participants for bring energy and enthusiasm to the workshop. For more information, please also see this article in the Gulf Times.

Bulova China Soccer Camp Wrap-Up

For 6 days in late July and early August, Global Sports Partners hosted the Bulova China Soccer Camp on the campus of the Beijing Institute of Technology. More than 100 camp participants, ages 8-14, enjoyed high level soccer instruction and fun games meant to teach the value of sports in an individual's life. Parents of all participants were invited to attend the camp's closing ceremony, and over 100 parents came to see their child honored at the end of camp.

Basketball in Algeria

In addition to other ongoing ventures in North Africa, Global Sports Partners has placed an under-16 boys club basketball coach in Algeria. The team was formed in the fall of 2012 and recently completed its second year of competition together. In the past two years, all players have shown tremendous improvement in both basic basketball technique as well as team strategies: spacing on the court, movement without the ball, and the fundamentals of man-to-man defense. As the players have progressed, they have increasingly played "team basketball" rather than simply focusing on their individual skills.

Bulova Beijing Soccer Camp

Today kicked off the Bulova Beijing Soccer Camp, held at the Beijing Institute of Technology. More than 120 local youth are participating in a week of soccer training and fun, conducted by Brazilian Coach Lamartine Silva with assistance from many local coaches. The generous funding of the Bulova Foundation has made this camp possible, with on the ground coordination from GSP staff members in the US and China.

Saudi Youth Sports Initiative Phase II

June 2014 brought the conclusion of Phase II of the Saudi Youth Sports Initiative (SYSI) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. SYSI Phase II continued the "train the trainers" curriculum begun last year, instructing new basketball and football coaches and conducting boys camps in both sports. Three weeks of instruction and training took place between 8-26 June 2014, with all sessions held at beautiful Faisal Zahid Sports Park in Jeddah.

Basketball Referee Training

Global Sports Partners (GSP) is pleased to share an inspiring story of sport development from earlier this year. We believe it is possible to cross barriers and bring hope in every location and context, and we are proud to partner with local organizations who seek to improve their country's culture of health, wellness, and sport. In many countries women's sport has low levels of participation, and this particular initiative addressed the lack of qualified female basketball referees available for local competition.

IBCE 2014

Earlier this month, Global Sports Partners welcomed 10 basketball coaches to Dallas, Texas, for the 4th annual International Basketball Coaches Experience (IBCE). The attending coaches represented the countries of Brazil (3), China (5), Jordan (1), and Mongolia (1). Coaches enjoyed two days of basketball clinics and instruction, one day of cultural experiences, and attendance at the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Convention and a college all-star game.

AJSS Basketball Camp

Global Sports Partners is pleased to support an exciting youth basketball camp taking place 12-14 March 2014 in Settat, Morocco. L'Association de la Jeunesse Sportive de Settat (AJSS), or the Settat Youth Sports Association, is conducting its inaugural camp "under the auspices of the Royal Moroccan Basketball Federation and in collaboration with the Delegation of the Ministry of Youth and Sport."

Urban Bike Treks in Rabat, Morocco

Explore the rich history and culture of Morocco on a ride with Urban Bike Treks! Located in Rabat, Morocco, these memorable tours are available for individuals and groups. We invite you to consider this invitation from GSP Representative and Urban Bike Tours Managing Director, Mr Kevin A. Chartney:

"On behalf of Global Sports Partners, welcome to Rabat!

GSP + Elevate Basketball Academy

Beginning 1 February 2014, Elevate Sports-India, in partnership with Global Sports Partners, is proud to offer a new, one-of-a-kind basketball academy across the great city of Mumbai, India. Throughout the intial three-year partnership, Elevate Sports will administer the academy and GSP will provide basketball expertise, train and mentor Indian coaches, and oversee all basketball operations. The aim of the basketball academy is "to produce skilled, motivated, athletic players who thrive and grow in the competitive arena." The training will emphasize individual skill development while also teaching fitness, diet, and conditioning principles.

IBCE 2014: 1-7 April

Global Sports Partners is proud to announce the 4th annual International Basketball Coaches Experience (IBCE) scheduled for 1-7 April 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Del Harris, former NBA Head Coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks, is this year's featured presenter. Joining Mr. Harris are Mr. Alan Lambert (Be Like Coach), Mr. Ed Schilling (UCLA Men's Basketball), Mr. Troy Justice (NBA), and Mr. Rick Torbett (Better Basketball).

IBCE registration is $1450 USD per person and includes:

  • Premium accommodation for 6 nights at the Hilton garden Inn Dallas market Center: conveniently located near the NABC host site
  • 15 meals (only 2 meals on your own)
  • NABC Registration: National Association of Basketball Coaches convention, with thousands of attending coaches
  • IBCE Welcome Kit: IBCE shirt, bag, speaker DVDS, and extras
  • Legends of the Hardwood breakfast and program
  • Texas Cultural Experience: A Day on the Ranch: Horses, Texas bbq (beef) and special surprises
  • All local transportation
  • 5 On-Court Training Sessions
  • 2 Off-Court Training Sessions
  • Excellent professional presenters and high-powered, relevant sessions
  • IBCE registration fee
  • IBCE administrative costs

Click here to visit the official IBCE website and register for the event. Don't miss this amazing basketball experience!

Pakistan Wins Gold at West Asian Baseball Cup

While competing in the 11th West Asia Baseball Cup, Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB)hosted GSP Director of International Operations, Ken Touchton, and GSP Pakistan Representative Zahid Johnson. Global Sports Partners congratulates Pakistan for their win at the tournament and would like to thank Mr. Syed Khawar Shah, Secretary General Pakistan Federation Baseball, for his gracious hospitality.

GSP + Football for All Vietnam

On 7 December, 2013, two GSP Brazilian Football Coaches participated in a grassroots football program in Do Son, Vietnam in cooperation with Football For All Vietnam (FFAV), a community development organization that has been providing opportunities for all walks of society, including those with HIV/Aids and other marginalized persons.