Azzurrini
Some numbers
12
Children with cognitive disabilities
50
Hours of training per year
4
Professionals on the field
40
Hours of monitoring
A project created in collaboration with Gianluca Zambrotta's Azzurrini Academy with the aim of contributing to the improvement of the psychological and physical well-being of children with fragility and cognitive disabilities, through inclusive sports activities and the use of new technologies, which aim to strengthen awareness in the children's abilities.
Each week, more than 10 girls and boys aged 6 to 11 with autism spectrum disorders or cognitive disabilities will meet on the playing field and be supervised by a staff of 4 professionals including a coach, an educator, a sports psychologist, and a neuropsychiatrist. Also involved on the field will be 2 adult volunteers and 4 boys between the ages of 11 and 14, without disabilities, with the role of player tutors and staff assistants. The use of new technologies as an accompaniment to the activity on the field allows to strengthen the skills acquired by playing and improve the management of emotional intelligence, starting from the community activity of playing and moments of meeting and dialogue with professionals. Project realized with Otto per Mille funds from Chiesa Valdese, Fondazione Prosolidar and thanks to the support of Fondazione Mazzola, Humason, Repower Italia, Stesi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Azzurrini Academy, which trained our staff. The appointment is for every Thursday at the field of the Istituto Comprensivo Rinnovata Pizzigoni, with the sponsorship of the City of Milan and the support of Fondazione Prosolidar.
SDGs
YouSport embraces the world
Context
Our teams are made up of different cultures, customs, and traditions, and it is in this diversity that we seek the uniqueness of our experience
Sports and Physical Activity
Only 9.1 percent of people with disabilities in Italy play sports, compared to 36.6 percent relative to the rest of the population (ISTAT, 2019).
Disability and Marginalization
Compared to children without disabilities, children with disabilities are 24% less likely to receive early stimulation and appropriate care. They are 51% more likely to feel unhappy. They are 41% more likely to feel discriminated against, and finally they are 32% more likely to experience severe physical punishment.
Potential of technology
The development of new materials and cutting-edge designs as well as major advances in engineering offer people with disabilities an unprecedented opportunity to actively participate in sports.
Milan
Municipality 8 is the third out of Milan's 9 municipalities in terms of percentage of foreign-born population (over 20 percent) and has within it the widest wage gap in the city, ranging from the Pagano-City Life neighborhood, with an average annual income of €70,714, to the Quarto Oggiaro-Roserio area, with an average annual income of €17,903.
The objectives of the project
The project was born as a result of the meeting between YouSport and the Azzurrini Academy, which operates in Como and follows children with various cognitive disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, and brings them closer to sporting activity through an innovative method and the use of new technologies.
The partnership represents an opportunity to enhance the action of both sports entities as the initiative will combine the Academy's innovative method, focused on new technologies, with the strategy and territorial experience of YouSport, dedicated to promoting social integration through sports of all categories.
The common sense of belonging and participation are powerful weapons that, slowly, can bring about the change that has always been identified with sports, fostering greater economic and social cohesion, but also greater integration between parts of society, which can generate social value.
The team
The Headmistress of the ICS Rinnovata Pizzigoni reports to us that her approximately 95 pupils with disabilities attending the various schools have no recreational-sports opportunities specifically suited to them and designed for them in the neighborhood: many therefore spend their extra-school hours alone or at any rate solely dependent on their parents or other caregivers.
Approximately 10-12 girls and boys aged 6 to 11 with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders or cognitive disabilities.
About 4-5 boys aged 14 to 17, without disabilities but with economic, social, cultural, educational fragilities from the Heroes project, volunteer tutors of players with disabilities.
Project realized with funds from Otto per Mille of Chiesa Valdese and thanks to the support of Fondazione Mazzola, Fondazione Prosolidar, Humason, Repower Italia, Stesi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Azzurrini Academy, which trained our staff.
The appointment is for every Thursday at the field of the Istituto Comprensivo Rinnovata Pizzigoni, with the sponsorship of the City of Milan.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Observation of the dynamics and contexts in which the project develops. Presence during some trainings, matches and/or group meeting moments by the psychologist is planned.
Tools used:
- Semi-structured interviews with the aim of deepening and reflecting on the personal experience of some beneficiaries of the project. At a later stage, the interviews will also allow the collection of communicable information and stories about the YouSport activity. The number of interviews will be defined and agreed with the project manager trying to represent and analyze different experiences (age, years of inclusion in the project, social and cultural context, role of tutors...);
- Focus groups with the aim of stimulating reflection and debate within a group;
- Focus group/staff meeting involving project and YouSport managers with the aim of reflecting, comparing and bringing out critical areas and strengths from their personal experiences;
- Return of observations and analysis carried out.
This phase will highlight strengths, critical areas and possible developments of the project.
Awareness raising and Training
Virtual reality
Emotional intelligence
Emoji
Emotions
Augmented reality
Computational reasoning
Coding unplugged
Robotics
Video modeling
Our Team
Gallery
Call to all volunteer photographers: let's capture the magic together!
Do you love capturing the excitement of game days and training sessions? We are looking for volunteer photographers to join our team. Whether you are experienced or novice, your skills are valuable to us. If you are already taking photos, we would be happy to collaborate. Join us to capture our football journey! Contact us today.
CONTACT USProject description
The goal of the project is to promote and spread the culture of sports as a tool for social inclusion and empowerment of young people.
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