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Traditional Games and Basketball for Social
Inclusion of Youth

Cooperation partnership in Sport

—  Project in a nutshell — 

ASSIST addresses the objective of “promoting equality and European values in and through sport” by adopting the use of traditional games in training tactics for an easier and more enjoyable engagement of children with the sport of basketball.

We create a fun and engaging environment for children in sports to boost their retention and participation. Negative experiences or lack of enjoyment can lead to children quitting sports, hence, enjoyment is a significant predictor of whether they will continue participating. The ASSIST project aims to enhance physical activity amongst young basketball players by incorporating innovative training methods and traditional games. ASSIST also commits to sustainability by integrating principles such as recycling and promoting public transport use into its operations. It plans to repurpose sports grounds and recycle bottles and cans, encouraging participants to reduce environmental impact. 

—  About partnership — 

Partners

Three sports organizations from distinct parts of Europe – Basketball Club Evnikos from Greece, OTI Slovakia and Edirne M&M Basketball Club from Turkey are uniting their efforts to promote basketball and traditional games. This collaboration aims to foster youth development, empowerment, and social connection through sports across the region.
Greece

Basketball club

Situated on the west side of Athens, Evnikos is an area that experiences significant social disparities compared to its eastern counterpart in the metropolitan city of Attica. At Evnikos Sports Club, we’re committed to bridging this gap by encouraging and supporting children and youth to engage in educational sports or physical activities. The Evnikos Sports Club is a vibrant community with 19 groups that span all age ranges, comprising 390 basketball athletes. We are proud to field five competitive basketball teams. This includes a women’s team in the second national category (A2), a men’s team in the top tier of the Attica region, three teenage teams aged 16-18 (one girls’ and two boys’), three teams under 16 years old (one girls’ and two boys’) and five teams under 14 years old (two girls’ and three boys’). Over the years, Evnikos Sports Club has built a strong partnership with the Municipality’s Sports Department. Together, we organize basketball tournaments and sports classes for disadvantaged young people. 

Slovakia

Outdoor sports club

OTI Slovakia, a volunteer-driven sports organization, was founded in Nitra in 2017. OTIs primary mission is to educate its members and the wider community in Nitra through sports and non-traditional education methods. OTI Slovakia aims to provide its members with fresh opportunities, fostering an environment where they can learn from each other and gain a deeper understanding of the world through informal, non-formal, and formal education. This is particularly targeted at those with limited opportunities to participate in sports, cultural, and multi-faceted projects. At a local level, OTI Slovakia orchestrates a variety of activities including sports events, hiking trips, workshops, debates, sports competitions, cultural events, documentary viewings, and community volunteer initiatives such as nature clean-ups.

Turkey

Basketball club

The Edirne M&M Basketball Sports Club, a recent entrant to Erasmus sport, is a non-profit organization dedicated to youth sports at both national and international levels. The club, endorsed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is nestled in the heart of Edirne, a city known for its rich history and tourism, situated at the junction of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. As part of the Turkish Basketball Federation and Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, M&M  takes part in numerous basketball leagues, including U10, U11, U12, U14, U16, U18, and Men’s Regional Basketball Leagues. M&M  is always on the lookout for fresh talent from primary and secondary schools within our region. M&M trains athletes who go on to play for esteemed teams such as the National U-16 Basketball Men’s National Team, Anadolu Efes, Bahçeşehir College, and Fenerbahçe. M&M  approach emphasizes teaching young people the correct basic techniques of basketball. M&M  ultimate goal is to be a breeding ground for talented athletes who can contribute significantly to the country’s top clubs.

— Our results — 

ASSIST manual

Training in basketball for kids isn’t just about mastering the game, it’s about building character, discipline, and teamwork that will shape their future

ASSIST training program 

Training in basketball for kids isn’t just about mastering the game, it’s about building character, discipline, and teamwork that will shape their future

 — Our Activities —

Experiences at 3 training camps can help develop life skills like teamwork, leadership, resilience, and adaptability - qualities that are invaluable both on and off the court.

Foreseen training camps in three countries will incorporate innovative basketball training tactics based on traditional games, encouraging greater engagement in organized sports. This mix of cultures and environments can expand the players’ horizons, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and a sense of global citizenship, which is especially valuable in today’s interconnected world.
9

Training camp

in Greece
13

Training camp

in Slovakia
8

Training camp

in Turkey

Kick off meeting in Athens

In November 2023, Athens served as the vibrant backdrop for the kick-off meeting of the ASSIST project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering engagement and social inclusion in organized sports. Representatives from sports organizations across Greece, Turkey, and Slovakia congregated to discuss innovative strategies for integrating traditional games into basketball training programs. The meeting was an exciting fusion of cultures and ideas, with each organization bringing unique perspectives on how to leverage their local traditions to create engaging and inclusive basketball training tactics. The energy in the room was palpable as participants shared their insights, paving the way for a collaborative approach to revolutionizing basketball training across these countries.
Evnikos Stadium Athens
21st November 2023