Empowering Coaches Through Running, Peacebuilding, and Psychosocial Support Training

 

A comprehensive 3-day training combining practical and theoretical components of running, peacebuilding skills, protection, and psychosocial well-being through play was recently conducted for coaches in the West Bank, as part of Free to Run and PS4L’s ongoing partnership in Palestine. Our existent efforts were further enhanced by the contributions and support of the Peace through Sports project managed by Generations for Peace and funded by the Olympic Council of Asia. 

This initiative represents a significant collaboration bringing like-minded actors together to join hands and resources for the well-being of Palestinian adolescent girls and young women. 

The training aimed to strengthen the capacities of women coaches in both the technical aspects of running and the use of sport-based activities to promote positive social values. Through interactive and engaging games, participants learned how to support conflict resolution, foster teamwork, and create safe and supportive environments for girls and young women.

 

The sessions also focused on protection and psychosocial well-being, highlighting the importance of using play as a tool to enhance emotional resilience, reduce stress, and build trust among participants. Coaches were equipped with practical methods to ensure that sports activities contribute to both physical development and mental well-being.

This training is part of a broader series of capacity-building sessions under the Free to Run- supported initiative, which works to strengthen the resilience of Palestinian adolescent girls and young women through sport while promoting inclusion, safety, and community cohesion. 

A total of six participants took part in this training, actively engaging in both theoretical discussions and practical exercises designed to enhance their skills and impact within their communities.

Through this initiative, running becomes more than a sport—it serves as a powerful tool for empowerment, protection, and positive social change.