FC Barcelona Foundation supports children in Costa Rica

FC Barcelona Foundation supports children in Costa Rica

The FC Barcelona Foundation extended its programme ‘FutbolNet’ to Costa Rica. Supported by sponsor Scotiabank and former player José Edmílson, a festival was organised to promote values among children.

265 boys and girls aged 10 to 14 years participated in different football matches that implemented the ‘FutbolNet’ methodology. The key of the ‘FutbolNet’ approach is dialogue. With it, players do not only enter a relationship of respect and mutual understanding with each other, but they also acquire self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. The usual procedure is that the children and young people decide on the rules for the three-period games. The rules are related to values like teamwork and responsibility. Due to the fact that there are no referees, the children have to resolve any conflict that may arise by themselves.

After the game, the players have a discussion which is crucial for the learning process. A reflection of the experiences takes place and the participants can question about the game and the related values as well as everyone’s feelings during the game.

“The FC Barcelona Foundation believes experiencing values on the playing field is a way of understanding them beyond knowing their definition. It’s about experiencing them and conveying them into a daily lifestyle,” said Jordi Cardoner, FC Barcelona Foundation First Vice Chairman. “The key point of it all is that the better a person is, the better player they will become.”

Therefore, the FC Barcelona Foundation plans to organise 18 Scotiabank ‘FutbolNet Festivals’ over the next three years in such countries as Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Colombia and El Salvador. The goal of the Barça Foundation and Scotiabank is to reach more than 18,000 children living in difficult contexts to offer them a safe and educational environment.

Former Barça player José Edmílson with girls at the ‘FutbolNet Festival’ in Costa Rica.