adidas and sporting goods federation convene change-makers in NYC
Looking ahead to World Cup legacy
With the World Cup underway in North America, the adidas Foundation hosted a day of connection and inspiration at adidas’ New York City offices.
Generation 2026: Youth Media Forward reporters were there in person, reporting stories and also sharing their own perspectives from the stage.
The “Power of Sport Talks” in the morning featured nine different provocations on how sports can contribute to change in the world. In the afternoon, the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) held “One Goal. Move the World” to explore how people involved in major sporting events “can collaborate to deliver greater lasting physical and mental health benefits for young people and communities.”
Speaking on the afternoon panel “from inspiration to habit” NYC-based Youth Media Forward reporter Yasmine shared her experiences advocating for greater opportunities for girls in sports in high school and beyond.
As she was thinking of what story to report for her first Youth Media Forward assignment, Yasmine said, one of her teammates in her soccer team at her Staten Island high school suggested “why not write about us?”
“At first I thought - something written about us?! That’s not really something that happens you know. With our local newspaper, really the boys varsity teams are the only ones that get written about because they are seen as the most important in the school. So, that’s what I wrote about. I interviewed our coach, and asked, why are there not so many opportunities for girls, why aren’t there the resources, the funding, the teachers?”.
Yasmine went on to say that often the desire is there to play but there are just not the accessible opportunities. “It’s often a lack of encouragement and access not just by gender but also sexuality, ability, and race. I think that we can all do better.” She emphasized that opportunities need to reach communities where they are at - at schools, parks, places of worship and community centers. Yasmine first began playing soccer as an outlet towards the end of the COVID pandemic, after a soccer initiative visited her local mosque.
Facilitated by Rhada Balani of Think Beyond, the five other panelists shared their takes on what’s needed to overcome access barriers and build a lasting legacy: Jennifer Sullivan (COO, New York City Football Club), Tom Farrey (Executive Director, Sports & Society Program, Aspen Institute), Laurie Whitsel (Physical Activity Alliance Adviser and VP, American Heart Association), Héctor Moyetón (Co-Executive Director, Ashoka Changemakers) and Andy Jenkins (Director of Youth Development, South Bronx United).
The previous panel, “Why participation legacy must start at event design”, featured Centre for Sport and Human Rights’ Head of North America Katie Hanna, on the importance of youth safeguarding in the context of major sports events and their legacy initiatives.
The day demonstrated the importance of convening diverse stakeholders - including young people! - and pausing for honest conversations on the promise of sports, the challenges in fully realizing that promise and how to work together to overcome them.
Keep posted for stories from the youth reporters on the morning sessions!
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Read more:
World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry: “WFSGI convenes sport and industry leaders in New York to advance youth participation legacy from major sporting events”.
Stories by Youth Media Forward reporters in New York New Jersey, Los Angeles, Toronto and Guadalajara.