29 - Grassroot Soccer

“We’d written 26 grant proposals and had 26 rejections.” Grassroot Soccer is an adolescent health organisation that leverages the power of soccer to educate, inspire and mobilise youth to overcome their greatest health challenges, live healthier more productive lives and be agents for change. Grassroot Soccer’s principles are that (i) young people have a vast potential to create meaningful change and play a significant role in overcoming their greatest health challenges, that (ii) soccer is an ideal way to reach, educate and inspire young people in a language they understand and enjoy, and finally that (iii) improving adolescent health, whether it’s eradicating HIV and AIDS, improving sexual and reproductive health services, or addressing gender norms, requires an integrated, collaborative, holistic and community-wide approach. Dr. Thomas Clark is the founder and CEO of Grassroot Soccer, and also a paediatrician and former professional footballer. Tommy conceived the idea for Grassroot