Thirteenth Special Olympics European Football Week in association with UEFA Respect May 18 May 26 2013 www.specialolympics.org
Partnership with UEFA UEFA is very proud to be involved in the annual Special Olympics European Football Week initiative since 2000. Football is a powerful way to instil the values of acceptance, respect, skill and inclusion to communities all over Europe. As the European Football governing body, UEFA is committed to support the Special Olympics 2013 Football Week activities, so everyone regardless of ability level, has the opportunity to enjoy football. The 4th edition of UEFA Grassroots Day is a great opportunity for intellectually disabled players and teams to be included in activities organized by National Football Federations. Peter Gilliéron, Chairman UEFA Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee I am proud to say that European Football Week has grown to become one of the highlights of the Special Olympics calendar year and I want to thank UEFA for their generosity and support which will ensure this event is truly memorable. 50,000 athletes in 50 countries throughout Europe and Central Asia are expected to participate in more than 400 events this year. The focus of European Football Week 2013 is on engaging new grassroots partners such as local football clubs, community groups and local authorities, as well as ensuring competitions for Special Olympics footballers of all ability levels. This year UEFA s Grassroots Day will be celebrated on May 22nd. Unified Football events will also take place giving footballers with and without an intellectual disability the chance to compete together and to enjoy the benefit of friendship on and off the sports field. Football is the world s most popular sport yet it is estimated that only one in 500 children with intellectual disability will be given the chance to play the game due to being seen by their peers as different or without ability. Special Olympics European Football Week aims to change this. Mary Davis President and Managing Director Special Olympics Europe Eurasia
Football is now the most popular of the 33 official sports offered by Special Olympics Europe Eurasia with a total of 128,000 registered football players and 5,600 coaches in 58 countries. The number of female footballers in Europe has grown from 5,000 in 2003 to more than 26,000 today. Italian Serie A and B, Polish Extraklasa, Hungarian NB I - OTP Bank Liga, Duch Juplier League and Finish Veikkausliiga will support and host players with intellectual disabilities during European Football Week 2013. Special Olympics Showcase Game before 1/4 final of UEFA EURO 2012 in Warsaw fot. Adam Nurkiewicz SO Hungary athletes with ambassadors: Janos Hrutka, Victor Kassai (FIFA referee), Peter (PETIKE) Kovacs (World Champion in freestyling) - Budapest 2012. fot. em. Soos Gyorgy SO Germany team at the UEFA Champions League in Munich 2012 fot. SO Germany
Our aim for European Football Week 2013 is to develop football for all ability levels and to encourage more communities, schools, government authorities, sponsors, NGOs and ambassadors to get involved with Special Olympics Football. Through a long-term partnership with UEFA s We Care Programme since 1998, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia is achieving significant progress in its aim to expand football opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Unified Football breaks down barriers between people with and without intellectual disabilities, creating friendships and contributing to an integrated culture of acceptance and equal opportunity. 2013 Special Olympics European Football Week Thirteenth Special Olympics European Football Week Celebrating UEFA Grassroots Day on May 22nd 2013 50,000 Special Olympics athletes will participate Events in 50 countries across Europe 37 National Football Federations and more than 60 Professional Football Clubs Unified Football brings players with and without intellectual disabilities together in a spirit of friendship and fun on a football pitch 50 Coach training sessions Focus on Grassroots competitions players of all ability levels will participate in local, regional and national competitions. Unified matches at UEFA Champions League Village in London Danie Alves, FC Barcelona - Special Olympics Global Football Ambassador with Special Olympics Spain athletes May 18th 26th 2013 www.specialolympics.org
Celtic FC fans applaud Special Olympics athletes pitch side at Celtic Park during the announcement that Celtic FC has become the latest Football Team Ambassador for Special Olympics.
Thirteenth Special Olympics European Football Week is about creating more opportunities in football for players with intellectual disabilities and it is supported by UEFA Respect. 37 National Football Federations cooperate with Special Olympics to provide football trainings and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, usually under the Grassroots Program. More then 60 Football Clubs across Europe including Global Football Team Ambassadors Celtic FC, Tottenham Hotspur and Serie A Inter Milan support Special Olympics. For more information on Special Olympics European Football Week: Mirek Krogulec Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, Plochocinska 19, 03-191, Warsaw, Poland, T: +48.22.823.93.31 E: mkrosoee@it.pl www.specialolympics.org UEFA Grassroots Day Poland 2012