EFDN welcomes Real Sporting de Gijón to the Network!

Spanish side Real Sporting de Gijón has joined the European Football for Development Network. The club from Gijón in Asturias currently plays in LaLiga Smartbank, the Segunda División and is famous for its Youth Academy.

Fundacion Escuela de Futbol de Mareo – the charity of Real Sporting de Gijon is a Spanish football club, founded in 1905 and based in Gijon. Real Sporting de Gijon endeavours to improve living conditions and opportunities for personal and professional growth, so that children and youth from around the world, develop their capabilities and their life dreams in the Principality of Asturias (Spain).

The well-established Spanish club is joining EFDN to create, develop and sustain its football development programme in partnership with local, regional, national, and international partners from the public, private, and third sector. Becoming a 360º organisation which will allow them to become a key stakeholder within their catchment area to assist in the economic, social, and environmental regeneration of Gijón and the Principality of Asturias.

By abiding by EFDN rules and regulations and becoming an active member of its network by sharing best practices with current EFDN members.

THE GENUINE PROJECT

The Real Sporting of Gijón Genuine Project was born in 2017 with the aim of improving the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities through sport. Each season has meant outstanding growth of this initiative, consolidating itself as a social action of the notable impact that allows the promotion of healthy habits, the acquisition of values, and making visible the virtues and capabilities of this group.

The Genuine Project currently has two major initiatives:

The Genuine Team participates in the Genuine league. This competition is made up of practically all the LaLiga clubs. It consists of several annual tournaments, normally organised on weekends and at a fixed venue, where all the clubs and their players enjoy themselves and learn key sporting values such as team spirit and teamwork.

Inclusive schools: The Project is framed within the agreement between the Foundation and the Regional Ministry of Education of the Government of the Principality of Asturias, which consists of the creation of football schools in special education schools throughout Asturias.

Hubert Rovers, CEO of EFDN: “I’m happy to welcome the Foundation of Real Sporting de Gijón to the Network. It’s great to see more Spanish clubs developing CSR and ESG activities to improve the lives of those related to their communities. Real Sporting de Gijón has a strong focus on the personal growth of children and youth, which they show via the Genuine Project of their Intellectual Disabilities Football team. We are happy to help Sporting to progress their programmes on an international level.”