Posted: June 18, 2009, 3:16 PM by Brad Frenette National Post

Right to Play is an international humanitarian organization headquartered in Toronto that reaches out to children in crisis areas using sport as a metaphor and means to spread a message of fair play, development, health promotion, education and peace.

The organization is also the benefactor of North by Northeast Festival's third annual "Put The Boot In" charity soccer game, which takes place this Sunday, June 21 at BMO Field in Toronto. The game will feature two sides coached by Toronto FC players: the Rockers – including musicians from Broken Social Scene, Barenaked Ladies, USS and Great Big Sea as well as athletes such as Olympic medallist Adam Van Koeverden – versus the Rollers - a team of media people from Much Music, Exclaim as well as some of your friends here at The Ampersand.

I caught up with Right to Play's Tania Wybenga via email to talk about soccer, music and red balls:

Q: Tell me a bit about how Right to Play came to be.
A: The Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Committee (LOOC) conceived Olympic Aid (now Right To Play) in 1992 in preparation for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Norway. The focus of Olympic Aid during these Games was to show support for people in war-torn countries and areas of distress. A partnership was formed among the Red Cross, Save the Children, Norwegian Refugee Council, Norwegian People's Council, the Norwegian Church Fund and Olympic Aid to raise funds for and awareness of the specific initiatives each of these organizations were implementing.
Between 1994 and 2000, Olympic Aid continued to raise funds for children in disadvantaged situations, building on the momentum of subsequent Olympic Games. With its incorporation in late 2000, Olympic Aid made the transition from "fundraising vehicle" to NGO.  In March 2001, the first sport and play programs began in partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in refugee communities in Angola and Côte d'Ivoire.
In early 2003, Olympic Aid became known as Right To Play in order to meet the growing demands of program implementation and fundraising. Today, Right To Play has a permanent presence in the world of children's sport and play. In addition to its child development programs, Right To Play is established as a force in international advocacy on behalf of every child's right to play, and is actively involved in research and policy development in this area. Our vision is to engage leaders on all sides of sport, business and media to ensure every child's right to play.
 
Q: Please describe a few of the recent successes you've had.
A: We use sport and play as learning tools that have a powerful impact on children and communities. We recently received this feedback from Bagwaneza Esther, a Junior Coach living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda who describes the value of our Live Safe, Play Safe training: "[It] focuses on disease awareness and prevention, and healthy behaviours and attitudes around HIV and AIDS.  With the recent training, I feel I have sufficient knowledge about HIV and AIDS to advise my peers and friends not to be pushed into certain behaviours that can expose them to contracting HIV and AIDS."
 
Q: You've got some pretty big name athletes on board, including Steve Young, Alexander Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky. How do you approach athletes to get involved in Right to Play?
A: As an organization that promotes the best values of sport including dedication, leadership and respect, we look for Athlete Ambassadors that embody these qualities in their everyday lives. As role models these athletes inspire children, raise awareness and promote opportunities for funding for Right To Play projects.
 
Q: The "Put the Boot In" event is somewhat new for the organization, as you are getting musicians and media involved. What are your thoughts on the event.
A: Right To Play is proud to be the official charity of "Put the Boot In" for the 3rd year. It has been wonderful to have the support of the musicians and media affiliated with NXNE and it has helped bring Right To Play to a new audience.
We have a great group of volunteers lined to help support the event again this year and we know it will be a fantastic game!
 
Q: What is the significance of the red ball?
A: We use the Red Ball as our symbol - [it's] in play in the field; it is our teaching tool and our gift wherever we take our programs - to every school, every community, and every refugee camp. The Red Ball symbolizes the humanitarian potential of sport to promote health, development and peace. [It represents] our philosophy - Look After Yourself, Look After One Another. This message embodies the best values of sport, such as the importance of teamwork, respect, inclusion, and fair play. Through our games, our modules, and everything our Project Coordinators and Local Coaches do, we strive to emphasize the importance of - and empower individuals to - look after themselves and look after their community.

• Put the Boot In is open to the public. Tickets are on sale for $6 on-site at BMO Field from 12pm EST on Sunday, June 21. Supporters who are not able to attend the game can donate to the cause via www.righttoplay.com/nxne.