Piloting Inclusive Sport Programmes Across Spain and Italy: A Transformative Experience for Children and Educators
Between March and June 2025, EU SportIncludes successfully piloted inclusive sport programmes in Reus (Spain) and Mozzo (Italy), engaging children with and without special needs through adapted multisport sessions. These pilots brought the project’s core values—education through sport, inclusion, and emotional development—to life.
Spain: Multisport Sessions in Reus
Led by Open Europe and supported by Associació Supera’t, the Spanish pilot focused on youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and OCD. Seventeen participants aged 10–17 took part in weekly inclusive sessions at Club Natació Reus Ploms. Activities included swimming, basketball, athletics, hapkido, roller hockey, and boxing, with sessions tailored to each child’s needs.
Key outcomes included improved social and emotional skills, stronger autonomy, and increased enthusiasm for physical activity. Families and trainers alike noted the children’s happiness, engagement, and personal growth. Notably, all participants expressed a strong desire to continue.
Italy: Golf, Swimming and “Fairy Games” in Mozzo
In Italy, SportIndoor delivered a pilot that combined golf, swimming, and fairy tale–themed motor games. Seventeen children aged 5–12, with and without neurodevelopmental conditions, engaged in sessions that balanced motor skill development and imaginative play.
Children participated in story-driven games such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King, learned golf techniques using Trackman4 technology, and built confidence in water through progressive swimming lessons. Inclusion was prioritised by tailoring activities to individual needs and encouraging peer collaboration.
Feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting socialisation, improved self-esteem, and joy as key benefits. Trainers emphasised the importance of teamwork, flexibility, and ongoing adaptation to children’s needs.
Cross-Border Collaboration
A mobility visit to Reus in June 2025 allowed project teams from both countries to exchange best practices, discuss pilot outcomes, and further strengthen collaborative ties. Partners also met with local organisations supporting inclusive education and disability advocacy.
Key Learnings and Impact
The pilot phase validated the adaptability of the “Education Through Sport” methodology across different settings. Both pilots showed that inclusive sports can thrive when structured around consistency, creativity, and a deep understanding of individual needs.
These pilot experiences will directly inform the refinement of EU SportIncludes training materials and guides—helping ensure more inclusive, empowering sports education across Europe.
