“Sports aren’t just about winning; they’re about bringing people together, creating support systems, and building resilience” – at least that’s what we always heard and that’s exactly what we set out to do in Armenia with Game Changer, a training program funded by Erasmus+ and the French National Agency.
What is our goal?
Show youth workers, sports coaches, and community leaders how sports can break down barriers and bring people together. Imagine this: we had a mix of ages, backgrounds, and sports styles all in one place. It was kind of like getting soccer fans to play golf, definitely a bit of a mix-up at first, but super rewarding in the end!
Where are we?
The setting for our journey was Aparan, a small village nestled in the mountains of Armenia. Our host, Altera Lab, welcomed us with cosy accommodations right in the heart of the countryside. We were surrounded by farmer neighbours, sheep wandering nearby, and endless mountain views.
Now, let me tell you, the first challenge was real! With most of the flights from Europe arriving at 3 or 4 AM, getting to Aparan just 50 minutes later felt like stepping onto another planet. We piled into an old-school bus from the ‘80s that was definitely seen better days, bumping along some of the most unusual roads, there were parts where we could hardly even call it pavement! By the time we hit the first day of training, we had all barely slept a couple of hours and felt like zombies ready for sports training! But hey, nothing brings you back to life quite like the thrill of getting into the action. Between sessions, we could step outside to enjoy the gardens and take in the peaceful rhythms of village life.
Our group ranged from 18 to 50 years old, with everyone from first-timers in Erasmus+ programs to veterans who’d done over twenty Erasmus+ activities, plus some pros with long-standing careers in sports and youth work. With such a mix among our 34 participants, we joked that if there were a gold medal for Sports Vision, we’d be taking it home! But to make that happen, we needed to fuse this diverse team and get everyone working together during our week in Aparan, something we were more than ready to do.
Learning from the best (and a Little Starstruck)
The trainers were an inspiring group, each deeply committed to making sports a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. Our Armenian and Spanish wrestling champions shared valuable self-defence techniques, emphasizing how wrestling isn’t just about physical strength; it’s also about mastering mental resilience. They taught us how to handle pressure, fear, defeat, practice self-control, and manage our egos as leaders in sports. These lessons were not just about winning on the mat; they were about building confidence and understanding ourselves better, both as athletes and as individuals.
Our Serbian basketball trainer, a true legend in the field and the current expert lecturer of FIBA, brought an incredible wealth of experience to the table. He shared inspiring stories from his coaching adventures in Asia, where he took basketball to some of the most remote islands in the Maldives, making the game accessible to all.
His dedication to empowering women’s basketball teams in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, places grappling with conflict and war, was truly inspiring. He sparked our imaginations about how basketball can change lives and bring people together, no matter where they are in the world.
Then there was Giulia, our winter sports coach and yoga teacher, who brought a unique twist to the mix. As she took us through the challenges of coaching in remote Italian mountain villages, where environmental changes are making it tougher each year to keep skiing and snowboarding alive, she also introduced some mindfulness exercises that had us all trying to find our “inner zen” in between wrestling drills and basketball strategies.
Giulia’s approach to yoga and meditation highlighted an important truth: effective coaching goes beyond simply mastering skills; it’s about creating a mindset to a supportive environment where everyone, no matter their background, feels a genuine sense of acceptance.
Hands-on learning and the real-world impact of sports
One of the highlights? A visit to the Yerevan Wrestling Federation, where we saw Armenia’s national sport in action. Watching wrestling in a packed arena, surrounded by fans who cheered like it was the World Cup, gave us a peek into the pride and dedication Armenians have for their sports. It was inspiring, reminding us how powerful national sports can be in creating identity and community.
The workshops spanned all kinds of topics. From personality tests and the Enneagram, a kind of esoteric tool that defines nine types of personalities based on their core motivations to better understand ourselves and each other. We set up a blind basketball game with the local kids, and it was a wild experience! They relied on their teammates to guide them on the court, and it really opened their eyes—figuratively speaking—to new sensations and the joy of connecting through sport in a totally different way.
One session took an interesting twist when we started talking about how global warming is shaking things up for sports. With the world heating up, winter sports like ice skating are seeing shorter seasons and less snowfall. So, we put our heads together to brainstorm ways sports could adapt, like using eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and sustainable practices in sports venues. We even started envisioning greener habits and sports environments that could help align sports with environmental goals. The more we discussed, the clearer it became that adapting isn’t just for sports; it’s for the planet.
Taking concrete steps toward inclusion
Inclusion wasn’t just a theme , it was a guiding principle we brought to life. One highlight came from a spontaneous suggestion by Kethan, an American Peace Corps volunteer and Aparan resident who joined us for this training. He proposed an impromptu football match with the local kids, and before we knew it, we were out on the field, with boys and girls from Aparan teaming up to “beat the foreigners.” It was clear that those children would never forget that football match – and neither will I ,as the match was a beautiful blend of cultures, ages, and skill levels, where language barriers dissolved in the joy of the game.
My own adventure: Learning the language of laughter
As the project coordinator, I had my fair share of challenges. Every day was a lesson in creativity. Being in the small, welcoming corner of Aparan was something I would have never experienced if it weren’t for this training. I quickly grew to love it, with its beautiful landscapes and warm-hearted people. Of course, navigating the dynamics of our diverse group was an adventure in itself! Picture this: trying to find common ground between carnivore athletes and radical vegans. But hey, if we could get everyone to agree on the importance of hydration, we were making progress!
The experience was proof that sports, and a healthy dose of humor, can truly bridge any gap. We laughed, learned, and sometimes fumbled our way through cultural differences. By the end of the week, it felt like we weren’t just a bunch of participants; we were a crew ready to take on the challenge of making sports welcoming for everyone, taking what we learned back home and making it a reality in our own communities.
As I wrote this article something became clear: whether you’re on the field or off, the real win comes from supporting one another. We’re not just changing the game; we’re reshaping it for future generations and for our planet.
| The article by Veronica Castro, mobility projects coordinator of Regain Association, La Borie Noble, France. The project was hosted by Altera Lab, Aparan, Armenia. |
