Real Heroes launches with stories from three continents, all using different sports to support young people who need it most. From youngsters in a Cape Town township who are using skateboarding and surfing as a source of therapy and support, to an organisation highlighting the power cricket has to shift perceptions of young people with a disability.

Laureus invites sports fans to discover our brand new Real Heroes website www.laureus.com/realheroes with unique content presented through interactive long form feature articles with a fully responsive design including impactful photos and exclusive videos to bring our stories to life.

The work of project leaders and participants which is highlighted in Real Heroes, has impressed Laureus Ambassadors and Academy Members from skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, Paralympic legend Tanni Grey Thompson, big wave surf champion Sebastian Steudtner and Spanish football icon Raúl.

Charl Jensel uses the sport of skateboarding to provide a pathway out of trouble for youngsters living in the Township communities of Cape Town and works for Laureus supported project Indigo Youth Youth Movement. Charl said: “These kids would honestly have been lost, they would have had nothing without the programme, now they’ve got hopes and dreams and a way out.”

Meanwhile in India, Sneh Gupta is helping to integrate youngsters with disability into a society which traditionally doesn’t accept them. Using a variety of sports and Games, the youngsters are given a chance to express themselves and develop skills to compete with able bodied athletes in cricket matches.

“There was this one kid who was a double-amputee, just below his bottom,” Sneh recalls. “He was flying through the air, just moving on his bottom using his hands. They were so happy, there was no reason to pity them because they were so full of life and happy.”

Collectively, the Real Heroes represent a universal movement that celebrates the power of sport to bring people together as a force for good.

Raúl, who visited the Fight Back project in New York’s The Bronx, was inspired by Real Heroes he met. Reflecting on his visit, he said: “The project is led by local instructors from the area, who know and understand the kids. This really is the way to change lives and make a difference.”

THE IMPACT OF THE LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION

Since its inception, Laureus Sport for Good has raised over €100 million and supported over 150 projects worldwide which use sport to tackle violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Laureus Sport for Good has helped to improve the lives of millions of young people in over 35 countries and is proving that sport can change the world.

Laureus Sport for Good is doing this by supporting sports programmes which are reinforcing education, increasing employability, promoting gender equality and empowerment and improving mental well being and sexual health practices. Peace-making and conflict resolution programmes are addressing criminal behaviour and social exclusion. By investing in monitoring, evaluation and research, Laureus Sport for Good is able to demonstrate the effectiveness of sport in achieving social transformation.