Български
BeInclusiveWaterPolo
Colorful adapted basketball training
25.03.2024
On March 25th in Sofia, during a training session of the Adapted Basketball NSA, Bulgarian sports development association celebrated the World Down Syndrome Day in a special way. Over 40 athletes with intellectual disabilities, their partners and coaches celebrated this special day together with colorful socks that show diversity, rights and opportunities for all.
On March 21st we celebrate International Down Syndrome Day, a day for awareness and support from the community, including parents, friends, teachers and professionals around the world. The choice of date is symbolic, reflecting the uniqueness of Down syndrome, characterised by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Children born with this trait are often described as "sunny" because of their ability to radiate love, joy and warmth. They have the same interests as their peers and show a particular passion for creative activities such as drawing and music. Support and love from family is critical to their development. Taking an individualized approach to education, focused on their strengths, allows them to make significant gains, become independent, and develop professional skills in areas that interest them.
BSDA works purposefully to include individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport activities, including through the #BeInclusiveWaterPolo initiative, that launched in 2024, which aims to lay the foundation for adapted water polo in our country. This pioneering project aims to unite people through team sports and showed that water polo can be fun and suitable for everyone, regardless of their abilities. The event in Sofia brought together partner organizations, which shared ideas and practices for developing adapted water polo in Bulgaria and Croatia. The main products of #BeInclusiveWaterPolo include an international sports event, an inclusion manual, and an online platform, all aimed at strengthening adapted sports and creating a more inclusive society. The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and demonstrates the commitment of the participating organizations to social inclusion and the development of sports.
The project represents an innovative step towards breaking down stereotypes by creating adapted sports environments where participants with intellectual disabilities can showcase their potential and skills. Adapted water polo, which was demonstrated for the first time at the Special Olympics International Games in Malta in 2022, is expected to inspire local communities and offer new opportunities for inclusion through sport.
The main products of #BeInclusiveWaterPolo include an international sports event with participants from both countries, a printed and online manual with methodologies for adapted water polo, and a series of educational videos accessible to all interested parties through the project's online platform.
This initiative highlights the power of sport as a tool for social inclusion and support for diversity, while also providing sports clubs with tools to expand their programs towards adapted sports. More information about the project and upcoming activities can be found on its official website www.mywaterpolo.org.
The #BeInclusiveWaterPolo initiative is carried out by 3 partners from 2 different EU countries - Bulgarian Sports Development Association, Association of Bulgarian Swimmers, and Para Sports Association of the City of Rijeka - experienced organizations in the field of sports with project management experience, capable of transferring their expertise during the project. #BeInclusiveWaterPolo is co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.
BSDA works purposefully to include individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport activities, including through the #BeInclusiveWaterPolo initiative, that launched in 2024, which aims to lay the foundation for adapted water polo in our country. This pioneering project aims to unite people through team sports and showed that water polo can be fun and suitable for everyone, regardless of their abilities. The event in Sofia brought together partner organizations, which shared ideas and practices for developing adapted water polo in Bulgaria and Croatia. The main products of #BeInclusiveWaterPolo include an international sports event, an inclusion manual, and an online platform, all aimed at strengthening adapted sports and creating a more inclusive society. The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and demonstrates the commitment of the participating organizations to social inclusion and the development of sports.
The project represents an innovative step towards breaking down stereotypes by creating adapted sports environments where participants with intellectual disabilities can showcase their potential and skills. Adapted water polo, which was demonstrated for the first time at the Special Olympics International Games in Malta in 2022, is expected to inspire local communities and offer new opportunities for inclusion through sport.
The main products of #BeInclusiveWaterPolo include an international sports event with participants from both countries, a printed and online manual with methodologies for adapted water polo, and a series of educational videos accessible to all interested parties through the project's online platform.
This initiative highlights the power of sport as a tool for social inclusion and support for diversity, while also providing sports clubs with tools to expand their programs towards adapted sports. More information about the project and upcoming activities can be found on its official website www.mywaterpolo.org.
The #BeInclusiveWaterPolo initiative is carried out by 3 partners from 2 different EU countries - Bulgarian Sports Development Association, Association of Bulgarian Swimmers, and Para Sports Association of the City of Rijeka - experienced organizations in the field of sports with project management experience, capable of transferring their expertise during the project. #BeInclusiveWaterPolo is co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.
