Author: Ines Jakopanec

In conversation with Gabriela from Fondazione S.S. Lazio on why removing barriers matters more than ever.

What happens when sport is offered with no strings attached: free, inclusive, and open to all? That’s the question Fondazione S.S. Lazio set out to explore during their pilot within the STAY project. Their initiative offered students a full year of free sport, aiming to break down financial barriers and reimagine what access to physical activity can look like, especially for those most at risk of dropping out.

We spoke with Gabriela from Lazio about how this bold idea came to life, what they learned, and why it’s about more than just sport.

Why did you offer one year of free sport?

The idea was simple: no young person should miss out on sport just because of money. Especially during the school years, when habits are forming and confidence is growing, access to sport should be a right—not a privilege. We wanted to create a space where every student could participate freely, feel welcome, and enjoy moving their body without pressure or cost. At the same time, we used this opportunity to better understand what happens when you remove financial barriers—how it affects motivation, attendance, and overall experience.

How did you choose where to run the pilot?

We selected schools and communities based on several factors. We looked at areas where youth drop-out from sport seemed high or was already documented. We also worked with local stakeholders—clubs, teachers, youth workers—who were willing and able to support the project’s goals. Our aim was also to reflect a wide range of realities, so we included both urban and rural schools, different economic backgrounds, and different types of school settings.

What was most difficult to organise?

The hardest part was keeping teenagers engaged over time. At the start, most were excited to join, but keeping that energy going required strong relationships with coaches and the ability to adjust activities based on feedback. Another challenge was bringing together people from different sectors—teachers, coaches, youth workers—who don’t always work closely. That took time, trust, and a lot of coordination.

How did you identify students at risk of dropping out?

We combined several approaches. We asked teachers and coaches to observe behaviour, we ran school surveys, and we had individual conversations with students. Some signs were clear—missing sessions, showing little interest, or saying they didn’t feel comfortable in sport. We also worked with psychologists and youth workers to understand deeper reasons, like struggles with body image, problems at home, or lack of support from friends.

What surprised you most?

We expected sport to help with motivation and social inclusion, but we didn’t realise just how powerful it would be when the pressure of performance was taken away. Many students who had previously given up on sport started showing up regularly, smiling more, and even helping others. When sport feels safe, fun, and accessible, it becomes something they actually want to be part of—not something they feel forced to do.

Gabriela and the team at Fondazione S.S. Lazio showed what’s possible when you treat access to sport as a right, not a reward. By offering one year of free activity, they gave hundreds of young people a chance to reconnect with movement, build confidence, and feel part of something. Their experience proves that real inclusion starts by removing barriers—and that sometimes, the simplest ideas have the most lasting impact.

From refereeing to running events, the STAY project helped teens step into leadership—and stay in the game.

Keeping teenagers involved in sport isn’t just about training sessions and competitions. Sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity to lead. That was the focus of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s pilot within the STAY project. By giving young people clear roles, responsibilities, and ownership, the club created a culture where staying in sport could mean much more than playing.

We spoke with Natasha from TSV Bayer 04 about what made the biggest difference, what challenges they faced, and what advice they’d give to other clubs trying to do the same.

Which activity had the biggest impact?

Our Young Referee recruitment workshop in the fistball section stood out. It gave ten teenage girls their first chance to lead on the court. For many, it was their first time in an official role, and it sparked real enthusiasm. Other athletes even told us they found it inspiring, it helped them see that leadership doesn’t have to wait until later.

What was the biggest organisational challenge?

Organising our two major events—Kids Karneval and Come Together – fitness day—was a real test. Each event was big, complex, and required a lot of planning, but our volunteer base was limited. It wasn’t easy to cover everything at once.

What helped us succeed was breaking everything into small, clear tasks and making a precise schedule. Once everyone knew their role, things became manageable, and both events ran smoothly in the end.

What skills did young people gain?

They developed a real event management toolkit. That included how to plan timelines, assign tasks, manage a budget, and organise child-friendly activities. These are all valuable skills—not just for sport, but for life.

Did any participants rethink quitting sport because of their new role?

Yes. One story that stands out is Marie, who’s 17. She became a junior coach, and it completely changed her perspective. Now she wants to keep both playing and coaching while finishing school. She loves working with younger kids, and those kids now look up to her. She’s become a role model just by staying involved in a different way.

Are any roles continuing beyond the pilot?

Yes. One example is from our Social Media Workshop—the tutorial video created during the pilot is now used in onboarding for new volunteers. So every season, new teens are taking over the club’s social channels. It’s become part of the system.

Which activity got the most positive feedback?

Definitely Kids Karneval. Everyone loved it—the volunteers felt ownership, the logistics went smoothly, and families gave us great feedback. It was such a success that our volunteers have already said they want to help organise it again next year.

What advice would you give other clubs?

Don’t wait until the end to ask young people to “help out.” Give them real jobs from the start—co-coaching, refereeing, editing social media, helping with event planning. When they have clear responsibilities early on, they grow into confident leaders. And those visible role models will inspire others to stay involved too.

TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s STAY pilot shows that when young people are trusted with real responsibilities, they don’t just stay in sport—they thrive in it. With the right support, teens can lead, inspire, and help shape the future of their clubs. Thanks to Natasha and the team, this approach is now part

Some people find competition in sport. Others find community. And then there are those who discover a space for personal growth — both on the water and within the club’s leadership. One of them is Marin, a 20-year-old mathematics student and long-time member of the rowing section at HAŠK Mladost. Although balancing university and sports has become challenging, Marin has found a new way to stay involved in rowing, from a perspective that is transforming both him and the club.

Marin, can you briefly introduce yourself?

Hi! I’m Marin, I’m 20 years old and I study mathematics. I’ve been rowing for seven years and I really love the sports. Even though university has become quite demanding and it’s hard to manage everything, I still train six times a week, although not at the level I might wish for.

What made you decide to get involved in the club’s management?

When I realised I couldn’t attend training as often as before, I started looking for a way to remain part of the club. A year ago, I was elected to the club’s board, and since then I’ve been actively involved in its daily operations. It has become a very important part of my life.

What has this experience given you?

Much more than I expected. I’ve developed communication, organisational, and leadership skills that I couldn’t have gained just through training. Everything I’ve learned through this engagement will definitely help me in the future — both in sports and beyond.

What does sport, and rowing in particular, mean to you?

Sport fulfills me. Rowing has brought me many friends, people I spend time with every day and share experiences with. It makes me a more complete person. Training and being part of a team mean a lot to me — it’s part of my identity.

What have you learned through the STAY! project?

STAY! gave me the space to grow beyond just the competitive role. I realised how much you can learn through working within the club, not just on the water. This experience has given me greater confidence and a sense that I can contribute to the club on many different levels.

Do you see sport as part of your future?

Absolutely. I believe sport significantly improves the quality of life. I hope rowing remains my main sport and that I stay active — whether as an athlete or as someone supporting the club from within.

Marin’s story shows how important it is to give young people the opportunity to grow in sport — beyond just competing. Through the STAY! project, he has had the chance to develop as a leader, a community member, and as someone who sees sport not just as an activity, but as part of a lifelong journey.

For some, sport means competition. For others, it’s routine. But for Lea, a long-time rower from HAŠK Mladost, sport became a space for growth, development, and discovering new ways to stay connected to what she loves, even after stepping back from daily training.

Meet Lea: a student, judge, sport enthusiast and a living example that sport continues beyond the boat.

Lea, can you briefly introduce yourself?

Hi! I’m Lea, a student at FER (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing), and I’ve been rowing for seven years. Although I train less now due to university responsibilities, I’m still an active member of the club, just in a slightly different way.

What motivated you to stay involved, even if you’re training less?

Rowing practices are intense, and with university and other extracurricular activities, I didn’t have the energy for daily training anymore. But I didn’t want to lose my connection with the club and the sport. The club gave me the opportunity to help write project proposals and funding applications, which turned out to be a great way to stay involved.

We’ve heard you’re now also a certified judge?

Yes! The club supported me in obtaining my judging license, and now I participate as a rowing judge at competitions. Even though I’m not competing anymore, I feel like I’m still contributing to the club and the sport and that means a lot to me.

How would you describe what rowing has given you?

Rowing is definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I’ve met incredible people and gained knowledge and experiences I never expected, not just in sport, but in life in general.

What did you learn through the STAY! project?

The most important realization for me was that sport is more than just the physical part. Through the project, I got a behind-the-scenes look at everything — organisation, administration, communication — and it opened my eyes. Sometimes I find that world even more interesting than competing!

Are you still staying active in sport?

Absolutely. Sport gives me structure, a sense of belonging, and joy. I’m happiest when I’m active and surrounded by people from the sport.

Lea’s story proves that leaving sport doesn’t mean leaving the community. Through the STAY! project, she found a new perspective and her club gained a dedicated member who may no longer sit in the boat, but is still rowing with the same heart.

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:

1. Assistant coach
2. Event assistant
3. Club influencer
4. Ceremony assistant
5. 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.

What happens when the voices of local clubs and the reach of a European network come together for a common goal?

That’s exactly what we explored in this conversation with Martjin from EMCA – the European Multisport Clubs Association. As one of the key partners in the STAY project, EMCA brought its experience, connections and vision to help amplify the message that young people should have more than one way to stay involved in sport.

We spoke with Martjin about EMCA’s role in the project, the impact it has had across the EMCA network, and what comes next.

What was EMCA’s role in the STAY project?

EMCA was primarily responsible for coordinating Work Package 4, which focused on communication and dissemination. Our job was to make sure the project’s results were not just documented but shared meaningfully—with clubs, coaches, and stakeholders across Europe. That included promoting good practices, connecting project partners with new audiences, and facilitating the exchange of ideas.

We also worked closely with partners like HAŠK Mladost, UNICAS, Lazio, Levski, and TSV Bayer 04, helping them present their work to the wider EMCA community. One of our highlights was organising the dedicated STAY Conference during our annual EMCA CONNECT Days, where all members could learn from the pilot activities and contribute their own insights.

Why did EMCA decide to support a project focused on preventing youth drop-out from sport?

Because the numbers speak for themselves. Youth drop-out, especially between the ages of 13 and 20, is one of the biggest threats to grassroots sport. EMCA’s mission is to strengthen multisport clubs across Europe, and we knew we had to be part of a project that addressed that challenge head-on.

The STAY project gave us an opportunity to promote solutions: improving coach education, creating more inclusive and flexible club structures, and showing young people that there’s a place for them in sport—on or off the field.

How did EMCA contribute to connecting and supporting the pilot clubs?

Besides being involved in all project meetings and dissemination efforts, our biggest contribution was providing a platform for visibility and knowledge exchange. We hosted dedicated sessions during EMCA conferences, where clubs could present their work, get feedback, and inspire one another. This encouraged a sense of ownership and momentum that continued even beyond the immediate project partners.

How did EMCA facilitate knowledge sharing during the STAY pilot actions?

The most direct example was the STAY Conference held during the EMCA CONNECT event. We presented the project outcomes to all our member clubs and followed that with a roundtable discussion. That session sparked a lot of interest—so much that several non-partner clubs asked if they could translate the STAY e-learning platform into their own languages and use it in their local contexts.

This wasn’t just dissemination—it was the beginning of a ripple effect.

What impact has the STAY project had across the EMCA network?

The impact has been meaningful and multi-layered. We’ve seen:

• Enhanced coach education: More clubs now understand how to approach youth engagement with long-term thinking.
• Policy development: The project encouraged clubs to formalise their efforts to retain young people.
• Stakeholder engagement: From volunteers to administrators, more people are involved in shaping club life.

From a personal point of view, I’d say the most valuable outcome is the cultural shift. Clubs are no longer thinking only about competition—they’re thinking about how to support young people holistically. That’s what will sustain sport for the next generation.

How will EMCA support the continuation of STAY’s practices beyond the project?

The key is EMCA Studia, our digital knowledge library. We’re including the STAY e-learning platform and all related resources there, so they’ll remain accessible to all EMCA members—and even beyond. Any organisation interested in preventing youth dropout in sport will be able to benefit from what we’ve learned.

We see this not as a project that ends, but as a foundation that we’ll keep building on.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the people, clubs and ideas behind STAY! Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive, flexible, and future-ready sport landscape across Europe.

As part of our STAY! project spotlight series, we sat down with Dunja from HAŠK Mladost, the club that coordinated one of the most comprehensive pilot actions in the entire project. Working across four sections: water polo, swimming, rowing, and hockey, HAŠK Mladost tested how volunteering, communication, recreational training, and even club governance could help young people stay connected to sport, even after stepping away from competition.

We asked Dunja about the goals behind their activities, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Why was it important to offer so many different roles beyond sport training?

From the beginning, we understood that retention in sport doesn’t always mean keeping someone in training five days a week. Young people leave competitive sport for lots of reasons—academic pressure, injury, burnout—but that doesn’t mean they want to leave their club or community. So we looked at sport as more than performance. What if you could stay involved as a referee? A social media manager? A volunteer at events? That’s what we tried to make possible.

How did young people react to being part of event organisation and club media?

Honestly, they exceeded our expectations. A lot of them didn’t see themselves as someone who would run a medal ceremony or take charge of live updates on Instagram. But once they tried it, they really stepped up. You could see how proud they were to contribute. And others noticed too—staff, parents, and even visiting teams commented on how capable and professional they were.

What was the most complex part of the pilot to manage?

Logistics! We had several sports involved, different calendars, school obligations—it was like building a puzzle every week. Making sure the right people were at the right place, at the right time, and still felt confident in their roles was probably the hardest part. But it was worth it.

How did you recruit youth for these roles—like social media or refereeing?

Most of the time, we worked through the coaches. They know the athletes and could tell who might be interested in doing something different. In water polo and rowing, we reached out directly to girls who had recently stopped competing and invited them to try volunteering or join a recreational group. We kept it open and voluntary—no pressure.

And how did you support girls who had already left competitive sport?

We created recreational training sessions specifically for them—especially in swimming and water polo. No pressure, no scores, just activity and connection. Beyond that, we offered them meaningful roles in events and communications, and in rowing we even invited young women to join the administrative side of the club. It’s about recognising that their experience and voice still matter, even if they’re not wearing a cap or a racing suit.

What was the idea behind the Poolcast video series?

Poolcast was something special. We partnered with the Croatian Water Polo Federation to create a short-form interview series that showed different career paths after sport. We talked to people who stayed in the world of sport—as referees, coaches, physiotherapists, media coordinators. The message was simple: there are many ways to be part of sport, and they’re all valuable. We wanted our young athletes to see that.

What changes did you see in the young people involved?

So many. Confidence, first and foremost. Whether it was someone speaking at an event or leading a warm-up, you could tell they felt proud of their role. We also saw better communication and stronger bonds within and between sections. It helped break down the old “athletes vs. volunteers” mindset—everyone started seeing themselves as one club.

Balancing sport and school is tough—how did you manage that?

We designed most roles to be flexible. If someone couldn’t attend every week, they could help out on a weekend or contribute content remotely. We also launched a tutoring initiative in water polo and rowing, with support from older athletes and parents. It helped relieve some of that stress and showed that the club cares about them as whole people, not just as athletes.

Which roles or activities do you see continuing after the project?

 Several are already continuing. Refereeing and jury table support are integrated into our matchday system. Our social media team still includes young people from the pilot, and in rowing, youth are actively involved in planning and admin. The recreational sessions are still running too. These weren’t “project” roles—they’ve become part of how we work.

What was the biggest challenge overall?

Helping youth see themselves as capable. Many didn’t believe they could be good at something like refereeing or managing a social media account. Some had stepped away from training and weren’t sure if they still belonged. Building that self-belief took time and mentorship, but it was the most rewarding part.

This interview shows just how powerful it can be when a club opens its doors to new forms of engagement. At HAŠK Mladost, STAY! wasn’t just a project — it became a catalyst for rethinking what it means to belong in sport. By creating space for young people to stay connected through meaningful roles, the club is not only keeping athletes involved, but shaping the next generation of volunteers, leaders, and changemakers in sport.

At EMCA, we believe in turning knowledge into action and the recent expansion of the STAY e-learning platform into eight European languages is a perfect example of how our network makes that possible.

This development was driven by the interest and enthusiasm shown at the STAY Conference held during EMCA CONNECT, where we presented project outcomes to our full membership. The session sparked wide engagement, leading to several non-partner clubs volunteering to translate the course for use in their own communities.

Thanks to the collaboration of our members, the STAY e-learning is now available in:

• Catalan & Spanish – Sant Cugat Creix
• Dutch – EMCA Secretariat
• French – French Federation of Omnisport Clubs
• Greek – Panionios G.S.S.
• Hungarian – BEAC – University Athletics Club
• Portuguese – Sporting Clube de Portugal
• Turkish – TAC Sport Club

These translations are more than just language—they reflect local context, terminology, and cultural relevance, making the course truly usable across Europe.

All content is hosted on EMCA Studia, our digital knowledge library. It ensures that the resources developed through the STAY project remain freely accessible to all EMCA members—and beyond. Any organisation working to prevent youth dropout in sport can benefit from what we’ve built together.

This effort is a true showcase of what EMCA stands for: collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and real support for grassroots sport development.