Successful Social Exchange between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Feyenoord

Successful Social Exchange between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Feyenoord

Feyenoord and Hapoel Be’er Sheva FC used the power of sports and football in particular as a tool for social development. During a two days exchange, both clubs shared their knowledge, presented their methodologies and social programmes and they practiced what they preached during a training session on the pitch.

The two day programme was designed to learn about each other’s culture and ways to use football for development. Be’er Sheva works with a lot of children with different backgrounds, speaking different languages. The programmes of the Israelian club focus on inclusion. Be’er Sheva uses football to show everyone is equal and everybody speaks the same language. Hapoel Be’er Sheva works together with Beitenu Children’s Hostel for children in risk and who had a troubled youth. Hapoel uses sport to build and increase the trust of the youngsters living in the hostel.

Teamwork, positive feedback, and communication

On Thursday, the community coaches of Feyenoord gave a football training session to kids from Beer Sheva. Despite the heat, in the Negev desert the 35 kids, some from Hapoel’s Academy and some from the local community, did their best during different exercises. Most important themes during the session were teamwork, positive feedback and communication despite the language barrier. Community coach Terence Arnaud said: ‘Our goal was to teach some of Feyenoord’s method to give the local coaches a different view on training. The kids tried their best during the whole practice and, most importantly, they kept on smiling. Having fun was our main purpose so that the mission is completed!’

Both Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Feyenoord look back on a great social exchange. Coaches and children from different backgrounds and cultures learned how to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of those in their community by using football. Feyenoord wants to use the upcoming Europa League games against EFDN member Rangers FC for another knowledge exchange.