ATHLISI

Objectives

• To promote the social inclusion of disadvantaged target groups in sport and promote equal access to sport for everyone independently from their socioeconomic background
• To support young people of different backgrounds to develop through their participation on sports “a shared sense of belonging and participation” and act as a tool for the integration of immigrants and other groups
• To prevent intolerance and xenophobia in sports by promoting the integration of diverse communities (immigrants, Roma etc.) in the sport clubs and by training the coaches to manage diversity between the sport clubs and manage also the tensions, due to racist or xenophobic incidents, that may appear inside the club

ATHLISI project had as a main aim to promote the social inclusion of children from disadvantaged target groups (Roma immigrants, children from low socio-economic background) through their increased participation in sport activities in the framework of the activities of the sport clubs. In order to achieve the objective, ATHLISI organised specialised training sessions with representatives of sport clubs and coaches in issues related with social integration and the promotion of the cooperation of the sport clubs with the local community. 

Activities

The activities of the project were concentrated in 6 European countries (Greece, Italy, Malta, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Slovenia). The training was organised through the use of face to face seminars and e-learning. The e-learning course was organised with participants both from the project partners but also with participants from all overEurope. A total of 132 members of this target group participated in the training, 72 in face to face trainings and 60 in the framework of e-learning courses. The face to face courses had an average duration of 20 hours while the e-learning courses included 40 hours training. A training certificate was awarded to all the participants who completed successfully the course. 

The modules on which the training was developed were the following:

• Developmental Psychology
• Pedagogical and Motivational Guidance on Inclusive Sport
• Sociology, Social Inclusion, Interculturality, Social Skills
• Competence Guide for Applied Exercise/ Sport Teaching
• Effective Communication through Sports
• Sports Management

The training material was developed initially in English and then translated in all the partners’ languages. The training material was developed on the basis of a research that was conducted by the project partners at the beginning of the project. 

Research

The research was organised with the combination of desk research and field research techniques. In the desk research, the partners have identified already existing initiatives, training courses and best practices whose results could be valorised in the framework of the project.

In the field research, the partners have organised two focus groups: one with the participation of coaches and representatives of the sport clubs and one with the participation of members of the local community. After the completion of the theoretical part of the training, all the involved coaches were asked to implement practically the skills and knowledge acquired through the organisation of events targeted to disadvantaged members of their community.

Results

• Training Needs Analysis: comparative research report on training needs analysis for coaches and sport clubs in relation of social inclusion of children from disadvantaged target groups
• Development of training material for the training of the coaches and sport clubs
• ATHLISI E-Learning Platform and Course for the coaches, trainers, sport clubs
• Face to face seminars and online courses