Teams of Young Leaders in Bangalore, Barranquilla, Buenos Aires, Cape Coast, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Nairobi, Mexico City, Tacloban City and Washington, D.C. have joined together to design and deliver football and water education activities raising awareness of local water challenges in their communities.
In Tacloban City, Philippines, Young Leaders hosted a two-day celebration and ‘Water for Life’ festival to increase youth engagement in water pollution awareness and to strengthen community relationships by providing actionable solutions to water.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Young Leaders held a ‘World Water Week’ with football workshops educating preschool students on water pollution, the importance of picking up litter, and proper handwashing steps.
Water filtration experiments were also carried out by Young Leaders educating the students on the process of getting clean water.
Over in Buenos Aires, Argentina, World Water Day 2024 celebrations coincided with Young Leader training sessions delivered by Manchester City coaches, focusing on developing skills in community coaching, leadership, and water education.
The celebrations then continued in Nairobi, Kenya, where Young Leaders were visited by special guest and club legend, Joleon Lescott, who joined them during a World Water Day event hosted for the wider community.
Here, the Young Leaders applied their learnings from their recent training in the football and WASH curriculum delivered by Manchester City coaches.
Xylem employees have dedicated their time to join and support several of the events across the world, as part of a wider partnership between local Xylem offices and the projects.
Fiona Cole, Head of Global Brand and Partnerships at Xylem, said: “Promoting water education and responsible use is fundamental to the sustainability of society and our planet. And it’s also the responsibility of everyone – from nations to sports teams, businesses, communities, and individual citizens.
“By connecting young people’s shared passions around football and water, we are committed to empowering change-makers to come together and take practical and achievable positive action around water in the local communities.
“The Young Leaders of Water Heroes Academy are a shining example of how we can all play our part and take small actions that add up to something bigger for our communities and wider world.”
Tom Pitchon, Global Foundation Director, City Football Group, said: “Our partnership with Xylem empowers young community football leaders in cities across the world to take action to address water challenges in their communities.
“Their effort to tackle these issues locally is truly inspiring and we are proud to continue working with Xylem to create a positive impact across the globe.”
Launched in March 2021, Water Heroes Academy is a joint initiative between Xylem and Manchester City, with a global network of youth-led projects aimed at tackling water challenges in local communities using the power of football.
To find out more about how fans and communities can play their part to help tackle our global water challenges, visit alltoplayfor.com
