How one club used the STAY project to engage families, empower youth, and create lasting roles beyond the game.
How can sports clubs keep young people involved when competition alone isn’t enough? For Levski – Sport for All, the answer lies in connection: to family, to community, and to the deeper values that sport can bring. As part of the STAY project, Levski explored new ways to engage youth, encourage responsibility, and ensure that no one is left behind – even when life takes them off the pitch.
We spoke with the team at Levski about what worked, what challenged them most, and what they plan to keep doing long after the project ends.
Why did you decide to include families and friends in sports training?
When we involve children’s loved ones—friends and family—in training, it motivates the young athletes to give their best. The chance to perform in front of people they care about boosts their self-esteem and confidence.
At the same time, this approach attracts new members to the club—volunteers, sponsors, and fans. In our case, family support is essential: they help with event organisation, transport to competitions, and even with repairing and maintaining sports facilities.
How did young people respond to taking on assistant roles, like coaching or refereeing?
At first, young people are unsure and a bit nervous. But they are also curious. With guidance from our coaches, they quickly build confidence and learn skills that will help them in the future.
Some of them now see a future in sport—not just as athletes, but as coaches, referees, event organisers, or even sports journalists and analysts.
Which activity was the most challenging to organise?
Organising sporting events in another city—like judo or karate competitions—is especially challenging. While young people are eager to help, it often involves logistical obstacles: getting time off school, written parental consent, and arranging travel, food, and accommodation.
Did you see any young people re-engage in sport through these activities?
Yes. One example is a karate athlete who is now studying engineering. He remains deeply connected to the sport. In addition to offering technical support to the club and helping with communications, he’s started training to become an assistant coach.
For him, karate is more than a sport—it’s a way of life. He may have chosen another profession, but he will be able to teach and inspire others through karate for the rest of his life.
What skill development did you observe most among participants?
We saw significant growth in several areas: communication, teamwork, leadership (especially in running training sessions), presentation during events, and patience—particularly in judging roles.
What advice would you give to other clubs wanting to retain young athletes?
Start by analysing your own club’s needs and then consider what resources you already have—your coaches, admin team, athletes, and their families. From there, set realistic goals.
For example, there’s no need to train someone to assist at ceremonies if your club doesn’t host events. The key is to develop roles that genuinely support your club’s daily work and long-term mission.
Which of your STAY activities do you plan to continue?
We plan to continue all of them:
- Assistant coach
- Event assistant
- Club influencer
- Ceremony assistant
- Assistant referee
Each of these roles has proven valuable for both the club and the young people involved.
Vanina’s insights reveal the power of a supportive, inclusive approach to youth sport. The story of Levski – Sport for All is a powerful reminder that sport can be much more than winning and losing. It can be a space for growth, learning, and lifelong connection. Through the STAY project, Levski has shown that when clubs invest in people—not just performance—they build a stronger, more resilient future for everyone involved.
Stay tuned as we continue sharing stories from across Europe that are reshaping the future of youth sport.