The Chicago NATO Host Committee in partnership with World Sport Chicago, the City of Chicago, the University of Chicago, the Chicago Bulls & the Chicago Fire are proud to host the Athletic Crossroads series of events on Saturday, May 12, in recognition of the 25th North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit hosted by President Barack Obama in Chicago from May 20-21. Events will take place at the University of Chicago’s Crown Field House, as well as in neighboring Washington Park in celebration of Chicago’s diversity, its international role and a love of sport that connects cultures.
The Athletic Crossroads Sports and Cultural Festival partners, with the coordination and support of Illinois Youth Soccer Association, Girls in the Game, Urban Initiatives and the Chicago Park District will provide an opportunity for participants to play under the name of a country participating in the Summit and to learn about that country’s culture and people.
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May 12 | Athletic Crossroads Program
Registration Eligibility:
• Registration is open to coaches for both boys and girls teams with participants ages 11-13.
• Space is limited. Submission of an application does not guarantee participation.
• Teams selected will be notified as soon as possible, but no later than May 4, 2012.
• Coaches can register one boys team and one girls team for each sport.
• No applications will be taken after May 1, 2012.
Volunteers
Sign-up NOW to volunteer for this unique event! Learn more
at www.worldsportchicago.org/athletic-crossroads.aspx
How to Register:
Coaches or Team Leaders can register their team by filling out the forms at www.worldsportchicago.org/athletic-crossroads.aspx
Participant Consent:
Each individual participant must complete and submit a consent form in order to compete in the Athletic Crossroads events. Upon selection of
your team, participant consent forms will be sent to the team’s Coach.
More information here: Athletic Crossroads
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Some of you have asked for more details on the role of the cultural coach and the table setup for the international festival.
Cultural Coaches
Role: Cultural coaches will represent their country and will be assigned a team to „adopt“ for the day and help them represent that country throughout the event. We are looking for someone that would be interested in teaching participants cultural facts about the country they are representing. Please note that each team has registered with an adult coach that is responsible for the participants that day, so the cultural coaches will not be responsible for anything more than teaching the players about the country.
Commitment: We are asking the cultural coaches to arrive at 9a and join us for breakfast, get their team assignment and meet their team. We would love the coach to become part of the team and stay with them for the entire event, but understand that is a large commitment. If you would like to coordinate having multiple cultural coaches to take shifts, that is no problem We do however, ask for a minimum commitment of 3 hours [9a – 12p].
Logistics: Cultural coaches will be provided with parking, breakfast, lunch and snacks. They will also receive a Chicago NATO T-shirt to keep.
Registration/Questions: Please call Bridget at 312.894.3447 or email at [email protected]
International Festival
Role: Each country will have an 8′ table provided in the International Festival. The table will have white linen, two chairs & a table top sign with the Country name and flag printed on it. Table decoration/setup is up to each individual country. Suggestions have been made to provide arts & crafts, cultural pictures and toys. Brochures, pamphlets and books are also encouraged. Please keep in mind, visitors of the International Festival will be the participants [ages 11-13] and their families, communities and spectators.
Commitment: The International Festival will be open from 9a to 4p. We ask table representatives of the International Festival to have their tables setup no later than 8:30a. Again, we encourage country representatives to stay for the entire event, but understand that is a large commitment. If you would like to coordinate having multiple individuals to maintain the table and take shifts, that is no problem. We do however ask that the table stay open from 9a to 4p.
Logistics: Participants will be provided with parking, breakfast & lunch for volunteering.
Registration/Questions: Please call Bridget at 312.894.3447 or email at [email protected]
Please feel free to contact me directly on my cell if you have any questions, 847.404.8519 or via email. We have also had a tremendous interest in volunteers, and I know some of you have a smaller staff and/or do not have a community group to help you with volunteering. Please let me know if you would like us to assign a volunteer so we can connect you with them and ensure an authentic experience for our participants.
