London 2011; A Huge Success

London 2011 has come to an exciting culmination and everyone involved can agree that it was a great success. The competitive and exciting football, the engaging events with our supporting organisations, the shared meals, the stadium tours, and the newly formed friendships between students all lent to an enriching and fulfilling experience for all. The effort and organization put into London 2011  proved more than worthwhile and will surely be the source of some unforgettable memories in the city of London. We would like to express our appreciation for all of our friends, supporters and our sponsors who helped make London 2011 an unforgettable experience.


Once again, thank you and congratulations to everyone involved - we hope this is the first of many International Football tournaments hosted by Football Beyond Borders!

ULFC Crowned Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 Champions

Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 finished with co-hosts SOAS and the University of London playing out a 0-0 draw after extra time, with ULFC eventually triumphing 5-4 on penalties.

The match itself was a typicallly tense and physical English cup final, with both sides defending strongly and attacking unconvincingly. To be fair to the English representatives, both teams were understrength, and coming in from a very tough week of football, on a very warm July afternoon at Wadham Lodge, in East London.

For their part, ULFC had only eleven men, and winger Reed Cataldo was carrying a knock so severe that for the full 120 minutes he was acting only as applied pressure to SOAS' defence, and as a 'wall' to play passes against. Cataldo worked tirelessly throughout though, and it was the absence of key creative midfielder Chris Michael which really hindered them, as they struggled to play it through midfield, resorting to long-ball tactics and staying compact in defence. It was a style of play which ULFC had used previously against Paysandú, and in periods against the AUC. Although it was criticised by many as being a negative tactic, it showed the strength of the ULFC players, who all season have been playing free-flowing attacking football under head coach Andy Zeller. With Zeller away throughout the tournament, and with key players missing, they instead put a truly English performance on display for the visiting teams in attendance!

SOAS, in contrast, stuck to their attractive style of play and passed the ball around their midfield and defence extensively, dominating possession and keeping the ball well. However, without key forwards Toib Olomowewe and Juan Dorrego, they were somewhat blunt in the final third, and with ULFC's compact defensive shape they struggled to create real openings.

However SOAS it was who cam closest to opening the scoring, as an opening created on the left by Kain and Watfa left Alex Skinner with time to shoot just inside the penalty box, but his firm strike was beaten away by Bailey. The next chance fell to Omar Salha, as the ball fell to him in the box after a cross from Omacar was not cleared properly. He volleyed well into the ground, but the deflected shot was scrambled away by Bailey, low down to his left.

The second-half saw less clear chances created, but with Theo Ohene getting on the ball more for ULFC, the threat of a breakaway goal was always present. However SOAS centre-backs Alex Kaszyicki-Williams, and in particular former ULFC player Erhan Sancak, defended superbly to keep the threat at bay.

The threat of Ohene and Chapman continued into extra time, but it was SOAS who almost snatched the game-winning moment, as in the dying minutes Taurean Antoine-Chagar found space on the left-hand side of the box, and with ULFC defenders Shane Gaughan and Owain Tomblin (who were both superb throughout) fearful of giving away a penalty, Antoine-Chagar was able to chip the ball goalwards, only to be denied what would have been a stunning victory goal by a fingertip save from Bailey, which took it onto the crossbar.

With both 90 minutes and extra time unable to separate the teams, it came down to a penalty shoot-out.

ULFC captain Owain Tomblin stepped up first and fired home confidently, before Jasper Kain's penalty sneaked and bobbled it's way past co-organiser Sam Bailey (much to the annoyance of the ULFC goalkeeper) to make it 1-1. Rob Walls stepped up for ULFC, and confidently sent SOAS keeper Emmanuel Boateng the wrong way to give ULFC a 2-1 lead. Jack Reynolds' penalty was unconvincing, with Bailey again getting a hand on it, but his tactic of going down the middle paid off to make it equal after two penalties each.

A confident penalty from Theo Ohene kept the pressure on for SOAS, who's captain Joseph Watfa then stepped up for the third penalty, but Bailey guessed right for the third time and this time managed to keep it out, to give ULFC the edge. Another good penalty from Shane Gaughan maintained ULFC's advantage, and though Timothy Omacar sent Bailey the wrong way with a well-placed finish, the younger Gaughan brother Chris again sent Boateng the wrong way with an assured penalty, to give ULFC the victory. SOAS won't be too dissapointed though, as the five games they played won them many admirers, and will serve as a great warm-up for the players going out to the Middle East this September.



Although an all-English final was not the expected (or particularly wanted) result of an epic week of football, both ULFC and SOAS deserved their place in the final, with both teams winning crucial final fixtures on Tuesday 26th and Thursday 28th July.

On Tuesday 26th, SOAS overcame Paysandú 3-2 in an exciting end-to-end game, with Timesh Pillay scoring twice to seal the victory. Meanwhile ULFC beat Egyptian visitors AUC 2-0 in an vital and very hotly-contested game, and Adnan Menderes beat Helsinki 4-3 to grab their first points of the tournament.

On Thursday 28th, the early kick-off saw Helsinki and Paysandú play out a great game of football, with the well-tempered 4-4 draw not only showcasing great attacking football, but also truly displaying the spirit of Football Beyond Borders. SOAS then recorded a second 3-2 victory in two days, this time against the AUC, whilst ULFC saw off Adnan Menderes 3-0 in the day's final game.The last two day's results meant that no team left without a result to their name, which was a nice touch to round-off the group stages of the tournament.

The Football Beyond Borders Fair Play Award, awarded to the team who played the game and participated in the project in the best spirit, was given to the University of Helsinki, who made plenty of new friends with their sporting attitude, their disciplined and spirited performances, and their enthusiasm and well-mannered natures throughout their time here.

We would like to thank all of the teams who participated, for making the tournament such a resounding success, and also such an enjoyable event to run, and also all those who came down to support the teams down at The Hive or at Wadham Lodge. We hope to see you all again at future Football Beyond Borders events!

London 2011: Results so far

Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 kicked-off this weekend with six great games down at The Hive Football Centre in Edgware.

After the late withdrawal of Damascus University and the University of Manchester, the tournament itself was slimmed down to a six-way affair, with four group games to be played each. The top two teams will meet in the final on Saturday 30th July at Wadham Lodge Sports Ground.

On Saturday 23rd, co-hosts University of London FC fell to a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Paysandú Universitario from Uruguay. The defeat was ULFC's first loss since November 2010, and came at the hands (feet) of their striker Juan Dorrego, who opened the scoring early on with a penalty before sealing the result in the dying minutes,  finishing off a counter-attack as ULFC pressed for a winner.

Juan is in a unique position, as he is eligible to play for 3 of the 6 competing teams! He is currently reading an MA at SOAS, and has been a star player for both SOAS and ULFC for the past season. Born in Paysandú,  he moved to London after completing his degree at the Universidad de la República and playing football for Paysandú. In Uruguay - where República is the only state university - student football is split into teams made up of students from various regions, who play in teams made up of players from their home town. Paysandú were formed as a club in 2004, and since then have gone from strength to strength, and have here impressed everyone with their direct, attacking style of play. In this game ULFC could reasonably count themselves unlucky, having hit the bar twice and had two penalty appeals turned down, whilst Paysandú scored their only two clear chances. However, lacking the guidance of coach Andy Zeller, it was an undisciplined performance from the Purples.

On the adjacent pitch, pre-tournament favourites AUC (Egypt) sneaked past Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi from Turkey 2-1 in a game which could have gone either way. Incredibly, Adnan Menderes missed two penalties in the first 15 minutes, before the AUC snuck ahead and then wasted chance after chance in front of goal.

In the final game of the day, SOAS comfortably overcame the University of Helsinki 3-1, with Helsinki's late penalty (which was saved, before the rebound was scored) making it four penalties in the first three games, only one of which was converted!

Yesterday the teams returned to The Hive for the second round of group games, in what proved to be quite an extraordinary day results-wise.

At 1pm, both London-based SOAS and ULFC recorded 8-0 victories, over Adnan Menderes and Helsinki respectively. The scorelines portray an image of two completely one-sided games, but this wasn't really the case - football, as they say, is a funny old game.

At 3pm came the match-up of the day, as Paysandú faced the AUC. Having each won their opening games, both teams were keen to sneak ahead of the other in this vital clash.

The game itself was very even, with both teams creating chances and looking dangerous in the counter-attack. After around 20 minutes played AUC took the lead, and managed to hold on until half-time, partly thanks to a couple of great saves from their goalkeeper, who plays in the Egyptian premier Division back at home.

Paysandú fought back, and midway through the first half almost pulled level, striking the bar from a one-on-one. However it was AUC who wrapped up a 2-0 victory, scoring directly from a corner to break Uruguayan hearts. Only temporarily though, as the Paysandú boys celebrated Uruguay's Copa America victory over Paraguay into the early hours of this morning!

Tuesday the 26th will see Helsinki and Adnan Menderes both look to open their accounts at 5pm, and at 7pm SOAS and ULFC both have important games against Paysandú and the AUC respectively.

Thursday 28th will see the final round of games as Helsinki and Paysandú match up at 5pm, with SOAS playing the AUC and Adnan Menderes facing ULFC at 7pm.

If you can, come down and support the teams! The Hive is easy to reach, being a short walk from Canons Park, Queensbury and Burnt Oak stations. Directions can be found here

BBC presenter Zeinab Badawi endorses London 2011

We're proud to announce that Zeinab Badawi, who currently presents World News Today on BBC Four and BBC World News, has given Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 her official endorsement.

[caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="217" caption="Zeinab Badawi and Football Beyond Borders' Jasper Kain display the official event t-shirt."][/caption]

The Sudanese-British presenter was delighted to endorse a project that she has called 'a great student initiative'. Badawi graduated with post-graduate degree on the Middle East from the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies.

The endorsement was timely, as the action kicks off tomorrow at 1pm with the University of London FC defending their home turf against the visiting Paysandu University team from Uruguay and SOAS University squaring off against the University of Helsinki, who have travelled from Finland. At 3pm, the well-organized AUC squad from Egypt go head to head with Adnan Mederes from Turkey. The games will take place at The Hive Football Center in Edgware - please come down and support the teams!

David Goldblatt Confirmed as Speaker for Wednesday 27th July

CARA and Para Siempre FC are delighted to confirm that David Goldblatt, a highly experienced Sports writer, broadcaster, journalist and author, will be giving a short introduction to our Workshop.

David has published two books, The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football, which provides a definitive historical account of beautiful game, and the World Football Yearbook, a yearly annual that has been widely published.
As a journalist, he has written for most of the quality broadsheet newspapers including the Guardian, the Observer, the Financial Times, and The Independent on Sunday, as well as for magazines such as the New Statesman and the New Left Review. He is a regular reviewer of sports books for The Independent and The Times Literary Supplement and is currently the sports’ columnist for Prospect magazine.
As a freelance reporter he has worked for BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service, including producing documentaries on football in Jerusalem and the politics of football in Kenya. He has also appeared on other BBC radio programmes including The World Today, The World Tonight, The Sunday Morning Show, and Africa – Have Your Say.
In addition to his extensive writing and broadcasting career, he has also taught the sociology of sport at the University of Bristol and has run literacy programmes at both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers football clubs, as well as teaching sport, film, and media at the Watershed arts cinema, also in Bristol.

We are extremely privileged to have him speak at our event, and are all looking forward to hearing his views.

England National Disability Team Coach Added to Lineup of Speakers at London 2011

[caption id="attachment_1360" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lyndon Lynch with National CP Squad"][/caption]

Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 is proud to announce that Lyndon Lynch, the current England National Cerebral Palsy (CP) Head Coach, has been added as a keynote speaker in the schedule of events.

Lynch, who is also a PE teacher, has been involved with the National Disabilities Team since 2008 and has taken the CP squad around the world, competing in tournaments in Japan, Australia, and most recently, Holland. In 2009, the CP squad won the Arafura games, defeating the hosts Australia 2-0 to claim gold in their first competitive tournament win.

Over the next year, Lynch will be drawing players from his England squad to add to Team GB for the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

On the evening of Monday the 25th of July, Lynch will join Let's Kick Racism Out of Football to speak in a seminar on discrimination in football.




Source: www.thefa.com

New Website for Partner University of London FC

[caption id="attachment_1345" align="aligncenter" width="226" caption="University of London FC"][/caption]
The University of London Football Club has just increased their organization of their club with an upgraded website - www.ulfc.co.uk

The website will serve as the foundation and home-base for the club moving forward, providing players with increased exposure, match records, club information, and giving fans a reference for the Purples.

The club Chairman, Colin Hancock, has provided a page offering an insight into his background history and experience with the prestigious University of London FC.

Like the SOAS Football Beyond Borders squad, the University of London FC are gearing up over the next two weeks to prepare for the London 2011 International tournament. The tournament is surely to spur inter-competition between the students of the University of London. Follow this blog for updates on the tournament, highlights and stats, and also check the ULFC website for updates on their performance in the London 2011 tournament!

Football, Universities and Students: formulating an action plan for Academic Freedom

The Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA) and Para Siempre FC are excited to be participating in the Beyond Borders International Universities Football Tournament. CARA in collaboration with Para Siempre FC will be running a workshop; ‘Football, Universities and Students: formulating an action plan for Academic Freedom’ that aims to discuss with and familiarise international student footballers to the notions of academic freedom and the mediums in which to promote it.

CARA was established in 1933 in response to the persecution of academics across Europe by fascist regimes. It was founded by leading figures such as Sir William Beveridge; Lord Rutherford; John Maynard Keynes; A V Hill, Lionel Robbins; and Margery Fry.78 years on, CARA awards grants to enable Refugee Academics to achieve employment in the UK at a level commensurate with their skills and experience in the long term. Academics are frequent targets of state-sponsored violence and repression. In times of conflict, academics and intellectuals often suffer intimidation, torture, and imprisonment.

Para Siempre F.C. is a one-of-a-kind football team, sponsored by CARA, comprises of academics, lecturers, postgraduates and undergraduates from an array of social and cultural backgrounds. Their aim is simple yet powerful; campaigning for the right of children to have an education. Para Siempre F.C. are using football as a universal language to promote sustainable education for those in the most impoverished regions of the world, to facilitate support for existing educational charities and maintain development through schemes of self-sufficiency.

CARA and Para Siempre FC will openly discuss any issues surrounding academic freedom and to present recommendations, activities and campaign designs to promote academic freedom. Our intention is to produce a collaborative report on the outcomes of the issues discussed to at the workshop to be published by CARA and distributed to Universities, students and football teams across the globe.

CARA believes that with initiatives such as Beyond Borders can create a formidable grassroots medium to promote academic freedom on a global scale. We hope that the students will be able to return to their countries will a clear idea of how to facilitate and support academic freedom.

FBB to Run Summer Tournaments Alongside 'Lost in London'

As part of the preparations and fundraising drive for Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 and Middle East 2011, FBB will be running 6-a-side tournaments from next Wednesday (June 22nd) all the way through to 28th August, the day before we fly off to Hurghada for the first leg of Football Beyond Borders: Middle East 2011.

We have teamed up with student events company Lost In London to deliver weekly football events for the thousands of global students who visit London each summer.

Every Sunday from 12noon-3pm we will run an Under-18s soccer academy on Clapham Common, and after that from 3-6 we will run an Over-18s mini-league and knock-out.

With prizes to be had, friends to be made, and all the profits going towards Football Beyond Borders, why would anyone want to miss out?!

denticare Ltd to partner Football Beyond Borders: London 2011

We are delighted to announce that Denticare Ltd have officially agreed to become the main sponsor of Football Beyond Borders: London 2011.

Denticare was set-up by former University of London FC player and King’s College alumni Colin Hancock, who has built it up into one of the UK’s most successful and well-trusted dental companies.

Colin played for ULFC in the glory days of the 1960′s, when the Purples would regularly play Arsenal, West Ham and Spurs. A quick and skillful inside-forward, Colin regularly put goals past the likes of Bob Wilson (Arsenal), and in 1965 came up against a Geoff Hurst just coming into form, as Hurst bagged a brace against the Purples down at Motspur Park.

Denticare have been strong supporters of the University of London Purples since the side was resurrected four years ago, and we are delighted to have them on board with us for this groundbreaking project.

Competition Hotting Up for Football Beyond Borders: London 2011!

With just six weeks to go, the excitement is building and the competition is heating up for Football Beyond Borders: London 2011!

Representing Turkey are Adnan Menderes University from Aydın, and  they have already set up their own Facebook page, complete with photos of  previous successes and motivational videos!

 

 

[caption id="attachment_1256" align="aligncenter" width="264" caption="Adnan Menderes show off their winnings"][/caption]

From Uruguay we have Paysandú University, and they too have been on the promotional trail on Facebook. Their page already has over 1,000 friends, and it was these friends to whom they turned when faced with the prospect of increasingly expensive flights.

 

 

[caption id="attachment_1257" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="The visiting students from Paysandú"][/caption]

 

Ingenuity and hard work is always something we like to see here at FBB, especially when it’s for a good cause, so we were delighted to hear that the charity raffle held by Paysandú (in order to raise funds for them to come over) made it into the Uruguayan press.

 

Denticare Ltd. to sponsor Football Beyond Borders: London 2011

We are delighted to announce that Denticare Ltd have officially agreed to become the main sponsor of Football Beyond Borders: London 2011.

Denticare was set-up by former University of London FC player and King’s College alumni Colin Hancock, who has built it up into one of the UK’s most successful and well-trusted dental companies.

Colin played for ULFC in the glory days of the 1960′s, when the Purples would regularly play Arsenal, West Ham and Spurs. A quick and skillful inside-forward, Colin regularly put goals past the likes of Bob Wilson (Arsenal), and in 1965 came up against a Geoff Hurst just coming into form, as Hurst bagged a brace against the Purples down at Motspur Park.

Denticare have been strong supporters of the University of London Purples since the side was resurrected four years ago, and we are delighted to have them on board with us for this groundbreaking project.

 

Damascus University Forced to Withdraw, but American University in Cairo Confirms Entry

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing political situation in Syria, the University of Damascus have had to withdraw from participating in Football Beyond Borders: London 2011.

This years' events in Syria - and indeed across North Africa and the Middle East - have highlighted the incredibly important role students and young people can assume in the political life of a state, as well as the growing global impetus from students and young people to empower themselves and others within and across global societies.

This is why we believe that there is no better time for students, future leaders, and young people from across the globe to come together and - through the global language of football and under the banner of social enterprise - engage in dialogue, debate and cultural exchange.

Happily though, the American University in Cairo have confirmed that they will be coming to London this July to participate in Football Beyond Borders: London 2011.

The AUC is an independent, non-profit, apolitical and sectarian university with a great history and a diverse student body. As well as this, in September 2011 a Football Beyond Borders team will travel to Egypt, Palestine and Jordan and whilst in Egypt the AUC have graciously agreed to host the squad on campus.

With all the focus and attention the Egyptian uprising has been given this year, it will be a unique opportunity for everyone involved with Football Beyond Borders to engage in dialogue and debate with students who have been at the heart of such an important and historic movement.

However, our thoughts are now with the students of Syria, and with all the students and young people across the Middle East, Africa and the world who are struggling to change society for the better.

[caption id="attachment_761" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Visiting AUC Squad"][/caption]

Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Added to Line-Up!

Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 are extremley pleased to announce that Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi from Turkey are also set to participate in Football Beyond Borders this July.

They have also sent a picture of their team [below] to make sure all the other entrants know who they are up against! Some good games to look forward to in July...

New teams confirmed for Football Beyond Borders: London 2011!

The final line-up for Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 is starting to fall into place as four more teams have been added to the list of entrants.

Teams now confirmed are;

[caption id="attachment_92" align="alignleft" width="144" caption="Damascus University (Syria)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="145" caption="University of Ghana"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_89" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Birzeit University (Palestine)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_100" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (France)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_93" align="alignright" width="150" caption="University of Helsinki (Finland)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159" align="alignleft" width="138" caption="Paysandú Universitario (Uruguay)"][/caption]

 

NUS backs Football Beyond Borders: London 2011

 

More great news for Football Beyond Borders, as the NUS has officially declared their support for the project.

International Students Officer Christina Yan Zang said the NUS were pleased to offer their support to the project, which she says;

"is a great development following your previously successful trips in both 2009 and 2010. From the planning and development you have already put in we are sure that this will be a fantastic event and provide a wonderful platform for football but more widely promoting cultural exchange and celebrating diversity.

With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to London next year this project embodies the values of respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality. This will prove a great opportunity to celebrate the global Games and provide an opportunity to inspire fellow students about the power of London 2012, especially given the global appeal of Football."

More good news to come soon, as the full line-up of participating teams is almost in place! In the meantime make sure to follow us on Twitter and 'Like' us on Facebook!

CARA and Para Siempre FC come on board Football Beyond Borders!

 

More great news for Football Beyond Borders: London 2011 as the CARA (Council for Assisting Refugee Academics) comes on board the project, along with Para Siempre FC.

CARA was established in 1933 in response to the persecution of academics across Europe by fascist regimes. It was founded as the ‘Academic Assistance Council’ by leading figures such as Sir William Beveridge; Lord Rutherford; John Maynard Keynes; A V Hill, Lionel Robbins; and Margery Fry.

78 years on, CARA awards grants to enable refugee academics to achieve employment in the UK at a level commensurate with their skills and experience in the long term. Academics are frequent targets of state-sponsored violence and repression. In times of conflict, academics and intellectuals often suffer intimidation, torture, and imprisonment.  Grants can support refugee academics to re-qualify in a range of professions in the UK such as teaching, academia, engineering, law, the charity sector and medicine.

CARA has established a UK University Network of 66 Universities, in order to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between UK higher education institutions in support of refugee and threatened academics and in defence and promotion of academic and university freedoms worldwide.  SOAS has been a significant member of this initiative by means of a fellowship scheme and internship program.

CARA's mission is most definitely one in which everyone involved with Football Beyond Borders believes, and we are all thrilled to be working with such a prestigous organisation.

Para Siempre F.C., sponsored by CARA, comprises of academics, lecturers, postgraduates and undergraduates from an array of social and cultural backgrounds. Their aim is simple yet powerful; campaigning for the right of children to have an education. Para Siempre F.C. are using football as a universal language to promote sustainable education for those in the most impoverished regions of the world, to facilitate support for existing educational charities and maintain development through schemes of self-sufficiency.

Para Siempre F.C. is not just a football club. It is striving to create a different model of the traditional sports club. A football club with its’ foundations built on values of altruism and generosity, real sustainable change and essentially, improving the lives of the impoverished.

The values of Para Siempre tie in perfectly with those of Football Beyond Borders, and we are all thrilled to be working with such a great project.

CARA and Para Siempre FC will host one of the evening's discussions, based around how academics specifically serve as a catalyst to cross borders, and how football within universities does the same, but again full details of our partnership have yet to be finalised, so watch this space!

Make sure to check out http://academic-refugees.org for more information on CARA and http://www.parasiemprefc.co.uk/ for more information on Para Siempre.

 

Elevation Networks teams up with Beyond Borders

Football Beyond Borders London 2011 is delighted to announce that they will be partnering with Elevation Networks for the International Universities Tournament this July.

Elevation Networks is a student-led enterprise who "aim to inspire, challenge, and positively influence a generation of young people into a belief system that challenges the impossible, overcomes barriers, and provides a gateway for aspirations to become tangible goals".

This aim fits in perfectly with the ethos, and we are understandably thrilled to be involed with such a great organisation.

Watch this space; more details on how Elevation Networks will be involved are coming soon!

In the meantime check out their website:

www.elevationnetworks.org

 

Carling Cup Final 2011

ULFC were privileged to perform the opening ceremony for Sunday's Carling Cup Final between Birmingham City and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

This video favours the Birmingham City lads, but I couldn't find one from the Arsenal end - I guess their fans haven't been in the mood to re-live the day just yet...

Beyond Borders: West Africa 2010

Here is a short video of last summer's Football Beyond Borders tour of Ghana. This is what Beyond Borders is all about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lxxpqhKk1o

Thanks go to Symeon Brown for this video.

The blog of the trip (including photos and updates from when we were out in Ghana) can be found here:

http://soasbeyondborders.tumblr.com/

What Is Beyond Borders London 2011?

ULFC AND SOAS BEYOND BORDERS ARE PROUD TO PRESENT

THE INAUGURAL LONDON INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

23rd - 30th JULY 2011

Welcome to the official blog for the inaugural ULFC and SOAS Football Beyond Borders International Universities Tournament.

ULFC is the representative football team of the University of London, the largest federal university in Europe, with a student body of 135,000.

SOAS Beyond Borders uses football as a common medium through which to engage in cross-cultural dialogue, faciltating understanding and experiential exchange, with a focus upon building lasting links between international students, communities, and educational institutions.

In the summer preceding the London 2012 Olympic Games, ULFC and SOAS Beyond Borders will be hosting an event which will see student-footballers from across the globe come to London in order to participate in an international football tournament with a difference.

Each 'Gameday' will comprise afternoon or early evening matches, followed by a chance for the players to change and shower, before all heading back together to the UoL and SOAS campuses in Bloomsbury, central London for a communal dinner, in which teams will eat and socialise with their opposition.

The evening meal will be followed by lectures, debates, seminars and cultural presentations. Each visiting team will have the chance to chair one evening's events, and to choose the topic and focus of debate. The evenings will encourage and stimulate cross-cultural dialogue, experiential exchange and discussions concerning the future of our global society.

On free days between matches, and during the aforementioned evening events, we will be engaging community groups and grassroots social initiatives from London and beyond, so that they can become involved with and benefit from the Beyond Borders project. We will also be hosting special events such as open training sessions and educational activities.

The project will be extensively documented, with a view to producing a short documentary and photo exhibition, both of which will be touring educational and community institutions in 2012.

Bringing together future leaders from across the globe, and students from both the global 'North' and 'South' will bring into sharp focus both the differences and similarities between students from across the globe.

The issues we now face are global ones, and the nature of our financial system means that global students and communities are increasingly interlinked in ways which are not always immediately obvious. Yet, even at a highly cosmopolitan university such as the University of London, we have yet to explore the global links possible with students around the world.

This project hopes to;

- Engage in cross-cultural dialogue, understanding and exchange

- Create closer links between international educational institutions

- Highlight and engage constructively with the UN's Global Compact of 2000

- Provide a unique opportunity for students to participate in an event with international scope

- Get local community groups and social enterprises involved with an international project

- Expand and circulate the Beyond Borders initiative within the British and international community

- Use football to foster friendships and alliances between global students

- Inspire students and young people to become involved in social enterprises

- Offer the opportunity for London to host an international sporting event of precedence in the prelude to the 2012 London Olympic Games