Marian ‘Yman’ Crisley, from the Philippines, has been announced as one of five winners of the Courageous Use Of Sport Award at the 2020 Beyond Sport Global Awards for her work with FundLife International.
The 18-year-old Yman has been recognized not only her own personal development despite facing adversity, but also for her efforts in educating young women in the Philippines about their rights, through football.
The award is given to individuals who have shown dedication and courage in using sport to improve their communities, standing up against injustice and discrimination, often at great personal risk.
Now in its 12th year, the 2020 Beyond Sport Global Awards will celebrate, support, raise awareness and provide funding for ways sport is being used to help make the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality.
FundLife International was born out of a natural disaster. Over the course of nine days in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated Southeast Asia and particularly the Philippines. It was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded and many of the 16 million affected were left with nothing.
Those who would ultimately go on to form the organization took notice of the social interventions made in response to alleviate the resulting trauma, a number of which consisted of play-based sessions and sport tournaments in partnership with local clubs and communities. FundLife saw the potential to use sport holistically to support vulnerable children, recognizing that it all began with play.
Yman experienced personal tragedy as a result of the Typhoon in 2013, being separated from her parents, but joined FundLife when she was 14 and since fell in love with football.
She first discovered her love for football after watching the FundLife coaches in action, seeing them not only coaching players but also teaching them life skills that will stay with the young people for the rest of their lives. Being part of FundLife enabled Yman to have the opportunity to grow as an individual, gaining more confidence in herself.
FundLife also gave Yman, at the age of 16, the opportunity to travel to Russia in order to take part in a training workshop hosted by FIFA. At the age of 17, Yman became an assistant coach and then eventually went on to become a fully-fledged FundLife coach.
Yman has helped coach girls, not just in football. She also teaches them about their rights as young women in the Philippines. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Yman has been creating stay-at-home session videos that are posted on FundLife’s social media platforms to ensure young people in lockdown are kept entertained and continue to be inspired whilst living in these unprecedented times.
In addition to creating stay-at-home videos, Yman has also been helping in the soup kitchen and feeding programmes organized by FundLife in Palo Leyte. She has also organized girl’s empowerment classes where she teaches younger female players why their voice is so important and why it should be heard.
“First and foremost I feel happy and thankful. Being nominated for this award is an encouragement for me to continue providing support to those younger than me and even for adults who feel helpless because of the struggles they are facing in fulfilling their dreams.
