TRANSFORMING LIVES TOGETHER THROUGH THE JOY OF FOOTBALL 2012 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK May 12 20 th 2012 COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES Supported by UEFA
CONTENT Chapter 1 EFW: What s it all about? What do we need to know about 2012 Special Olympics European Football Week? Why do we celebrate European Football Week? What should a partnership with our National Football Federation include? What kind of activities can we do? Chapter 2 Raising Awareness How can we raise awareness of our European Football Week? What materials should we prepare for journalists? How do media partnerships work? Where should we seek coverage? What resources are there available? What are the guidelines for designing promotional materials like t-shirts or posters? Do we need to compile a report on our EFW? Appendices 2012 European Football Week Fact Sheet Template Media Alert Template Press Release for National Programmes SOEE Press Release announcing 2012 European Football Week 1
CHAPTER 1 WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 2012 SPECIAL OLYMPICS EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK? Key Facts: Twelfth Special Olympics European Football Week to date Taking place from May 12-20, 2012 & Celebrating UEFA Grassroots Day 50,000 registered Special Olympics athletes to participate Events in 45 countries across Europe Special Olympics European Football Week is partnered by UEFA and supported by 35 National Football Federations and more than 60 Football Clubs Focus on grassroots competitions, Come and see events players of all ability levels invited to participate in local, regional and national competitions Inclusion of Unified Football bringing players with and without intellectual disabilities together on the football pitch Coach training sessions a key part of the week Extensive media coverage across Europe expected Special Olympics Fast Facts: Nearly four million athletes worldwide Accredited national programmes in more than 170 countries 31 Olympic-type summer & winter sports 30,000 competitions around the world each year More than one million coaches and volunteers WHY DO WE CELEBRATE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK? Engage new partners like FARE, CAFE through grass roots events with more football associations and clubs, community & families groups, Universities and schools, local authorities and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) Raise awareness through involvement of celebrities, dignitaries, clubs & teams Special Olympics programmes celebrate UEFA Grassroots Day on May 16 th with their National Football Federation (visit http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/grassroots/video/videoid=1674484.html for more information) Football to be offered to Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels at local (interclubs), regional and national level events e.g. Come, See & Try events, Football Fun Parks Host one-day competitions, volunteer training seminars and coaching clinics in association with local Football Association, local clubs and schools Promote inclusion, respect and friendship between footballers with and without intellectual disabilities through Unified Sports events and friendly games Promotion of Women s football competition to encourage more participation of female athletes and partners Promote Special Olympics and UEFA EURO 2012 A Winning Team! Players from Special Olympics will be given the exciting opportunity to demonstrate their football skills at UEFA EURO 2012 in a demonstration soccer match to be held before one of the quarter final games in Poland on 21st June. This event will showcase the power of football to transform lives for people with intellectual disabilities and is made 2
possible through UEFA s RESPECT Inclusion campaign. 1.4 million fans are expected at the stadiums throughout UEFA EURO 2012 http://www.euro2012respectinclusion.com/ Matches will be broadcast live in more than 200 countries around the World. http://www.uefa.com/uefa/socialresponsibility/respect/news/newsid=1713600.html WHAT SHOULD OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH NATIONAL FOOTBALL FEDERATIONS INCLUDE? Partnerships between Special Olympics and National Football Federations/Associations/Clubs may include the following features and initiatives: TRAINING AND COMPETITION Football Federation (FF) invites Special Olympics coaches to participate in coaches education seminars and conferences organized in the country FF includes Special Olympics Football as a chapter in its federation coach training courses e.g. Disability Football FF provides officials for all national level Special Olympics football competitions FF recognize EFW in the year calendar and actively support annual Special Olympics Football Week activities in your country as well as other Nationallevel events PUBLIC AWARENESS FF include general information and highlight stories about Special Olympics on its website and social media sites FF formally recognizes Special Olympics teams participating in European or World Games FF organize one promotion campaign a year with Special Olympics including a National Team match or fundraising football gala dedicated to the Special Olympics movement RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FF source & donate equipment for Special Olympics (min. 50 balls /2 sets of goals /2 sets of uniforms per year) FF fund SO teams participating in international/world Special Olympics competitions. FF provide grants for Special Olympics programme development: e.g. grassroots competitions or Women s football dev. ADMINISTRATION Special Olympics representative included in FF formal committee (Football for All/ Grassroots etc) to monitor cooperation; The Football Federation to assign liaison manager to maintain SO partnership 3
WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES CAN WE DO? Here are some of the main activities that our national programmes execute for EFW: Host an opening ceremony and invite the Minister of Sport/ President of National Football Association or football celebrity to officially launch the week. Organise for Special Olympics demonstration matches to take place during halftime of professional football matches alternatively Special Olympics athletes can parade the Special Olympics flag on pitch during half time. EFW video is played on stadium screens during half time, article on Special Olympics in match programme Host Come and try event. Potential athletes and partners without intellectual disabilities are invited to participate in mini-unified football tournaments and fun sport activities. Football Fun Parks at Special Olympics competitions Host and publicise a Unified football or Unity football match with Special Olympics athletes and celebrity footballers (including former football professionals, media celebrities, dignitaries etc.). Conduct a master class training sessions for athletes with professional athletes/coaches from the National Football Federation Involve local schools with athlete visits to classes and unified football training days and matches. Award ceremonies for participating athletes and partners 4
CHAPTER 2 HOW CAN WE RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF OUR EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK? EFW is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness for your national programme with the end goal of recruiting more athletes, and securing more support. Here are some Public Relations tactics that you can execute to help secure publicity: Plan well: Communications campaigns will only be a success if you plan well for them. Plan an exciting week of activities. Get Ministry of sports, local football associations, celebrities, and clubs involved in events. Partner with other major events or festivals that are taking place in your country that same week. Be able to explain clearly and simply what European Football Week is about and make sure your spokespersons share the same messages. Prepare your materials brochures, press releases, videos use the recourses available from SOEE (contact: mrabbitt@specialolympics.org) Make sure all your regional programmes are aware of PR activities and communicate the same messages about EFW. Likewise make sure that you are aware of their activities and share materials. Announce: Make sure that the media are aware ahead of time of the exciting programme that you have planned so that they can make arrangements to attend. If you have major news then launch EFW with a press conference (ie partnership with major club or football celebrity make sure they are also at the press conference). Make sure everyone speaking at the press conference shares the same messages about European Football Week and if possible wearing Special Olympics branded clothing. Choose athletes and partners as spokespersons and prepare them on how to speak about EFW. Tell a story and use local interests and personalities. Provide high-quality photographs, excellent interview and video footage opportunities. A picture is worth more than a thousand words. Host a breakfast for journalists where you can inform them about EFW in a fun and casual way. Always ensure Special Olympics athletes are available and well prepared to talk to the press at publicity events. Create a publicity event set up a football pitch in a city center location with Special Olympics athletes and partners playing have banners announcing EFW invite media to take photos and distribute a press release/promote on social media. Prepare and distribute a press release (1.5 pages) with all information for EFW in a clear and concise manner. Post details of the week, photos & videos, on your website and social media sites facebook, youtube, twitter etc. Encourage fans to share and follow. Execute: Approach morning radio shows for the opportunity to come on air during EFW to explain to listeners of what is happening near them and encourage their participation. Invite media to do an Outside Broadcast at an EFW event (there may be costs involved). Send updates/press releases/professional photography to the media during EFW with interesting stories and achievements. 5
If a celebrity footballer is attending a clinic or event invite the media to come and take photography/video footage. If funds are available secure advertising in print or broadcast media. Keep your website/social media sites (eg facebook, twitter) updated on activities happening during the week. WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD WE GIVE TO JOURNALIST? Above all journalists are looking for good human interest stories. To get stories covered in the media provide them with: Interesting stories about some of your athletes athletes that have overcome diversity to achieve, families and communities that have been transformed because of the athlete s achievements. Fact Sheet on EFW will all localized information Press release with the Who, What, Where, When, How and Why of 2012 EFW answered. Detailed programme of events Names and profiles of spokespersons Good quality images and videos HOW DO MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS WORK? A media partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement between Special Olympics national programme and a local media company (ie TV/radio station) where the media company will commit to promote stories on Special Olympics LETR and in exchange will benefit from their association with Special Olympics. To successfully negotiate such a partnership, the following guidelines can be helpful to put together a successful communication: o Background information on Special Olympics and your National Programme. o Programme of events for European Football Week o Fact sheet on athletes, coaches, volunteers, family members, events, corporate partners, etc. o List of negotiations points (What can you offer? What are you asking for in return?) o Create a powerpoint presentation to present your request to media outlet. o Research media outlets to detect the most promising ones. o Send proposal to selected Media outlet/s. Some Ideas: o National TV Sports/Football TV Programme includes a story on European Football Week o Interview with Special Olympics spokesperson and athlete is transmitted during broadcasts of national league football game o Popular newspaper prints a full-page spread on European Football Week and local activities o Radio station broadcasts from football venue where a European Football Week event is taking place and interview athletes, coaches and fans 6
WHERE SHOULD WE BE SEEKING COVERAGE? Media outlets targeted: o National newspapers Event guides/sports section/news stories o Local Newspapers o Community newsletters, leaflets o Football Association newsletters o National Football Games Programmes o School newsletters o Local/regional/national event guides (sport and culture) o Football website and blog sites o Online event guides o Football Federations/clubs twitter/facebook profiles WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE THAT WE CAN USE? Yes there are a number of resources available to help you. They are: Template 2012 European Football Week press release (see appendix) Template 2012 European Football Week media alert (see appendix) SOEE Announcement of 2012 European Football Week press release (see appendix) 2012 European Football Week fact sheet (see appendix) 2012 European Football Week video T-shirt and posters design guidelines (see below) UEFA We Care logo (blue on white/white on blue versions) (eps and jpeg files) WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNING PRINT MATERIALS LIKE T-SHIRTS OR POSTERS? All print material must include the UEFA We Care logo as well as the National Programme logo and local sponsors logos. For Football Week, Special Olympics National Programs are permitted to continue using the UEFA We Care logo. The rules for its use remain unchanged from previous years: No alteration of the logo (including color blue on white or white on blue) The UEFA We Care logo should not be the dominate design element The UEFA We Care logo should not be placed near any sponsor logos The official UEFA logo should never be used. 7
Correct placement of design elements on T-shirts. Option 1: On breast pocket 2012 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK Option 2: On sleeve or on back of T-shirt Correct: The UEFA We Care on the sleeve of the T-shirt. The Special Olympics logo (should include program name) can either be on the breast pocket or in the middle of the T-shirt as the dominant logo. The Special Olympics logo can also appear on the back of the T-shirt. No sponsor logos near the UEFA We Care or Special Olympics logos. Do not use the Johan Cruyff logo or the official UEFA logo. Correct placement of design elements on T-shirts when using the UEFA We Care and SO National Program logos together. Front & Back 2012 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK 8
Incorrect placement of design elements on T-shirts. Sponsor logo Sponsor logo Mistakes: The UEFA We Care logo has dominant size/position. Sponsor logos too close to the We Care logo. Special Olympics Be a fan or SOEE logo and SO National Program logos appearing together. 9
Correct placement of design elements on a banner Sponsor logos Special Olympics European Football Week 12-20 May2012 Correct: The UEFA We Care (white above or blue below), and Special Olympics logos are the same size and separate from the sponsor logos. Sponsor logos Special Olympics European Football Week 12-20 May, 2012 Avoid possible mistakes: The UEFA We Care logo dominates the banner. Sponsor logos are next to the We Care logo. The Special Olympics logo is used without the National Program name. ENDS 10
DO WE NEED TO COMPILE A REPORT ON OUR EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK? Yes, it is very important that share details with SOEE of their EFW activities. What we require you to send is as follows: a short (1 page) report about their activities, including media summary two photos (jpeg) (minimum size: 300 pixl for 100x150 mm) samples of press clippings All material should be sent to Mirek Krogulec at mkrosoee@it.pl SOEE Warsaw, Plochocinska 19, 03-191 Warsaw, Poland, DEADLINES: For posting follow-up stories on the SOEE website, National Programs should send their material by May 28, 2012. ENDS 11
APPENDIX 2012 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK FACT SHEET Special Olympics European Football Week 2011 May 12 20 2012 Join our Special Olympics Football Team - 2012 Concept: One week a year when everyone in the football community across Europe is encouraged to expand opportunities for players with intellectual disabilities. Key Facts: Twelfth Special Olympics European Football Week to date Taking place from May 12-20, 2012 & Celebrating UEFA Grassroots Day 50,000 registered Special Olympics athletes to participate Events in 45 countries across Europe Special Olympics European Football Week is partnered by UEFA and support by 35 National Football Federations and more than 60 Football Clubs Focus on grassroots competitions, Come and see events players of all ability levels invited to participate in local, regional and national competitions Inclusion of Unified Football bringing players with and without intellectual disabilities together on the football pitch Coach training sessions a key part of Week Extensive media coverage across Europe expected Key Goals: Engage new partners like FARE, CAFE through grass roots events with more football associations and clubs, community & families groups, Universities and schools, local authorities and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) Promote SO through involvement of celebrities, professional clubs & teams Special Olympics programmes celebrate UEFA Grassroots Day on May 16 th with their National Football Federation (visit http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/grassroots/video/videoid=1674484.html for more information) Football to be offered to Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels at local (inter-clubs), regional and national level events e.g. Come-See & Try, Football Fun Parks Host one-day competitions, volunteer training seminars and coaching clinics in association with local Football Association, local clubs and schools Promote inclusion, respect and friendship between footballers with and without intellectual disabilities through Unified Sports events and friendly games Promotion of Women s football competition to encourage more participation of female athletes and partners Promote the UEFA EURO 2012 Respect Inclusion Project http://www.euro2012respectinclusion.com/ which give Special Olympics athletes the exciting opportunity showcase their skills before quarter final games in Poland in June: http://www.uefa.com/uefa/socialresponsibility/respect/news/newsid=1713600.html or http://plpl.facebook.com/pages/uefa-euro-2012-respect-inclusion/362163080478959 For more information on 2012 European Football Week or to get involved please contact Mirek Krogulec mkrosoee@it.pl and visit www.specialolympics.org 12
Template Media Alert **MEDIA ALERT**MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT** X Celebrity/Event to launch TEAMS UP WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS TO ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK Taking place from May 12 May 20, the week is about promoting more opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to transform their lives through football WHEN: WHERE: [INSERT LOCAL TIME] Date: Thursday, April 10 th [INSERT LOCATION] WHAT: On Tuesday, April 10th X star will join footballers from Special Olympics? to launch 2012 European Football Week. Taking place from May 12 to May 20 2012, this action pack week of football is about the football community getting together to create more opportunities for players with intellectual disabilities to transform their lives through the joy of football. X will be joined by {Insert Athletes names], President of the Football Federation [Insert name} and President of Special Olympics X[Insert Name], [Insert Programme name]. ABOUT EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK Special Olympics European Football Week is when everyone in the football community commits to doing something to expand opportunities for players with intellectual disabilities. European Football Week is supported by UEFA. ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS [INSERT PROGRAMME NAME] Special Olympics is the world s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for children and adults with intellectual disabilities through sport in more than 170 countries. Currently there are [INSERT NUMBER] athletes participating in [INSERT COUNTRY]. MEDIA CONTACT: Name: Title: Tel: 13
Draft Template Press Release for Programmes Contact: INSERT LOCAL CONTACT DETAILS Press Release SPECIAL OLYMPICS EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK PROMOTES FOOTBALL FOR EVERYONE One Special Week when Football Community Opens Opportunities for footballers with Intellectual Disabilities Insert location DATE, 2012: The Football Federation of X[Insert Country]/ Football legend X[insert name] is teaming up with Special Olympics X[Insert Country] to celebrate the eleventh European Football Week kicking off from May 12 th to 20 th with more than X athletes with intellectual disabilities participating in X events across the country. The purpose of the week is for the entire European Football community to come together to create more opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in football. This year s event is even more exciting as it leads to UEFA Euro 2012 when Special Olympics athletes will be given the exciting opportunity to showcase their skills ahead of quarterfinal match in Warsaw on 21 June. Across Europe National Football Federations and clubs including UEFA support this yearly event which is expected to draw participation of 50,000 athletes in more than 400 events across 45 countries. Here in X [Insert Country] [Insert Local Details] According to X [Insert Name], National Director of Special Olympics X[Insert Country Name] 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 football due to being seen by their peers as different or without ability. European Football Week provides a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved in football to promote respect, acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to support from X[Name Supporters], this year we have an exciting schedule of events planned and we invite everyone to come out and show their support. For European Football Week 2012 the focus is on engaging more 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 the week s activities will celebrate UEFA Grassroots Day on May 16 th. Unified Football events will also take place giving footballers with and without intellectual disability to compete together on the same playing field and to make friends. 14
Football is now the most popular of the 31 official sports offered by Special Olympics with a total of 125,000 registered football players in 58 countries. [Insert Local Football Details] For more information on Special Olympics X [Insert Country] visit www.x.org [Insert Website Address] For more information on UEFA Grassroots Day May 16 th 2012 visit www.uefa.com/trainingground/grassroots ENDS About X [Insert National Programme General Info] About Special Olympics Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world, from community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood s backyard to World Games. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Special Olympics continues to grow thanks in part to the support of global corporate sponsors including The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, Hilton Worldwide, Mattel and Lions Club International. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com. 15
SOEE 2012 European Football Week Press Release Contact: Suzanne Coogan Head of Media & Public Awareness, SOEE T: +353 1 6755715 / +353 87 221 5745 E: scoogan@specialolympics.org Press Release SPECIAL OLYMPICS EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEK PROMOTES FOOTBALL FOR EVERYONE Twelfth Special Olympics European Football Week Calls for More Opportunities for Footballers with Intellectual Disabilities Dublin, Ireland, April X th, 2012: 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 football due to being seen by their peers as different or without ability. The twelfth annual European Football Week taking place from May 12 th to 20 th 2012 is focused on changing this outlook by creating more opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in football. An estimated 50,000 players with intellectual disabilities are expected to participate in more than 400 football events in 45 countries throughout Europe and Central Asia. For European Football Week 2012 the focus is on engaging more 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 the week s activities will include the celebration of UEFA Grassroots Day on May 16 th with the clear message that football is open and accessible to all. Unified Football events will also take place giving footballers with and without intellectual disability to compete together on the same playing field and to make friends. European Football Week also supports UEFA Euro 2012 Respect Inclusion project which will allow Special Olympics athletes the exciting opportunity to showcase their skills and change attitudes before quarter-final game in packed capacity stadiums in Poland on 21 June. European Football Week is an opportunity for the football community to come together and do something to create more opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in football says Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia(SOEE). We enjoy great support from UEFA as well as national football federations and football clubs to ensure the success of the week. 2012 brings a special focus on grassroots partnership and participation as we will continue to use the week to instil the values of acceptance, inclusion and respect to communities all over Europe. 16
UK premier league club Tottenham Hotspur and Italy s Serie A clubs are just some of the European clubs that are expected to participate and host training clinics for footballers with intellectual disabilities during the 2012 European Football Week activities. Through a long-term partnership with UEFA s We Care Programme, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia continues to achieve significant progress towards the expansion of football opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Football is now one of the most popular of the 31 official sports offered by Special Olympics. The goal is to bring football to a total of one million athletes worldwide by 2015. For more information on Special Olympics visit www.specialolympics.org ENDS About Special Olympics Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world, from community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood s backyard to World Games. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Special Olympics continues to grow thanks in part to the support of global corporate sponsors including The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, Hilton Worldwide, Mattel and Lions Club International. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com. 17
UEFA EURO 2012 Respect Inclusion Press Release Contact: Suzanne Coogan Head of Media & Public Awareness, SOEE T: +353 1 6755715 / +353 87 221 5745 E: scoogan@specialolympics.org Press Release SPECIAL OLYMPICS GAMES TO BE SHOWCASED AT UEFA EURO 2012 Under the banner of RESPECT Inclusion, Showcase Games to promote more opportunities in football for people with disabilities Friday, December 2 nd, Dublin, Ireland: The power of football to transform lives for people with intellectual disabilities will be witnessed at the upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 when Special Olympics footballers will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their sport skills by competing in a demonstration football match before one of UEFA s EURO 2012 quarter final games as part of UEFA s RESPECT Campaign and under the banner of RESPECT Inclusion. Footballers from Special Olympics Poland will compete in a demonstration match taking place at the National Stadium in Warsaw on June 21st 2012. Speaking about the importance of the RESPECT campaign, UEFA President Michel Platini said: "As the governing body of European football, UEFA has the responsibility to protect the game and its supporters. RESPECT at EURO highlights UEFA's continuous commitment to combat any form of discrimination, increase access for fans with disabilities, promote health through physical activity and encourage intercultural dialogue between fans and the host cities". RESPECT Inclusion "Showcase games" project is run by Special Olympics in Poland and the National Sports Committee for Disabled People in Ukraine who have now begun to prepare footballers with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, visual impairments and hearing impairments to compete in the demonstration matches taking place before each UEFA 2012 quarter-final game. Mary Davis, Regional President of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia has welcomed the platform for Special Olympics at UEFA EURO 2012 adding: Here is the opportunity for millions across Europe to understand, appreciate and enjoy the skills, determination and courage of our athletes with intellectual disabilities, and to witness first hand how the joy of football can transform lives. We are really excited about the opportunity and are confident it will help drive more athletes, volunteers and coaches to the Special Olympics movement. 18
Other RESPECT Inclusion initiatives included access information to be provided to disabled fans and visitors by the means of a tailor-made guide. Funds for future inclusion initiatives will be raised through the UEFA EURO 2012 Tournament charity project which will encourage football supporters and other benefactors to make a financial contribution for upcoming projects, with UEFA paving the way by committing to donate 3,000 for each goal scored during the tournament. UEFA s ongoing RESPECT campaign aims to tackle some of Europe s key social issues in the build up to UEFA EURO 2012 and during the final tournament through various initiatives grouped under the four headings of RESPECT Diversity, RESPECT Fan Culture, RESPECT Your Health and RESPECT Inclusion. UEFA has made a financial contribution to the campaign totalling up to EUR three million. For further information visit http://www.uefa.com/uefa/socialresponsibility/respect/index.html and http://www.euro2012respectinclusion.com/ ENDS About UEFA The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is the administrative and controlling body for European Association Football, Futsal and Beach Soccer. UEFA represents the majority of national football associations in Europe, runs national and club competitions and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those competitions. UEFA is the biggest of six continental confederations of FIFA. The organization was founded on June 15 th 1954 in Basel, Switzerland following discussions between French, Italian and Belgium Football Clubs. The headquarters of the organization are in Bern, Switzerland. About UEFA EURO 2012 The UEFA European Championship 2012 commonly referred to as UEFA EURO 2012 will be the 14 th European Championship for national football teams sanctioned by UEFA. The final tournament of UEFA EURO 2012 will be held in Poland and Ukraine from 8 June to 1 July 2012. Sixteen national teams will compete in a total of 31 matches to be crowned European champions. The UEFA EURO 2012 matches will be played in eight stadiums, four in Poland Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw, Wroclaw and four in Ukraine Donetsk, Lviv, Kharkiv and Kyiv. The opening match will take place in Warsaw on June 8 th and the final in Kyiv on July 1 st. No less than 1.4 million fans are expected at the stadiums throughout UEFA EURO 2012 and matches will be broadcast live in more than 200 countries around the world. 19