Van from Ankaran, Slovenia, helped design the 2020 UEFA Super Cup match ball

The drawings are the work of 18 children from different backgrounds from ten European organisations that work with the UEFA Foundation for Children. One of those children is Van. He goes to Debeli Rtič in Slovenia, a health resort and medical centre that holds football camps. Playing football helps Van connect with other children. After the last football camp, he expressed his feelings in a drawing. “I draw cartoons all the time. For the UEFA Foundation drawing contest, I simply drew what is essential in every sport.” Van drew a cartoon depicting two different teams – one won the match, the other lost. “In sports it is not important to win but to have fun. This message is for all kids, so they do not get used to always winning,” he said.

More information about Debeli Rtič und its work with the UEFA Foundation for Children:

Debeli Rtič is located in Ankaran, Slovenia and was founded in 1955.

 

Debeli Rtič is a health resort and medical and physiotherapy centre for children with limb, skin and locomotor system disorders.

Every child has access to football.

Mission

Debeli Rtič is a health centre and resort for children, teenagers and families run by the Slovenian Red Cross. It enjoys a healing microclimate and houses modern treatment facilities that promote recovery, good health and well-being.

The resort runs football camps for children during the summer holidays. The camps provide children with training by professional coaches, educational programmes and entertainment.

Activities

Children are at the heart of the activities at Debeli Rtič. Thanks to a donation from the UEFA Foundation for Children, 125 children were able to take part in five-day football camps in 2017 and in 2018.

Number of beneficiaries

More than 16,000 children, including 1,500 children from socially disadvantaged families, are yearly going to the health and resort center.

Impact

• Football has a positive effect on the children’s health (well-being during the school holidays), behaviour (less fear and aggression), intelligence (spatial problem-solving) and the socialisation process (group activities).
• Football is an inclusive sport that brings together children of different nationalities, social backgrounds and abilities. Young girls are very enthusiastic about football and like to train with the boys.
• Sporting values such as fair play, team spirit and responsibility are important for the children’s education.
• Most importantly, the children have fun and are happy with the football training and games.

 

“We are very grateful for the football field donated by the Football Association of Slovenia in 2014, which has enabled us to develop new sports programmes and helped improve the health of all the children. The continuing cooperation with the UEFA Foundation for Children greatly enhances and furthers our mission to improve children’s well-being.” Ana Žerjal, Debeli Rtič resort manager