Meet the 2024 #BeActive Awards finalists – Across Generations

Our finalists in the ‘Across Generations’ category of the #BeActive Sport Awards have shown great dedication in promoting inter-generational sport. They give a real insight into how everyone can benefit from activities that improve health. 

Meet the finalists in the Across Generations Category

Fundacja Rozwoju Sportu Espanola

“Ninos” is an innovative project that promotes physical activity and community building among all ages through common exercise. By engaging the community to stay active and healthy, the project helps to improve the overall physical and mental well-being of participants, focusing on strengthening family bonds.

The project brings together different social groups and promotes the values of fair play and non-discrimination. Participants of all genders, nationalities and physical abilities, including people with disabilities, take part in the activities. 

The benefits of the project include

• learning the basics of the Spanish language
• building family relationships
• developing social skills

The project is sustainable and replicable. It has been running continuously for 7 years, and its communication activities effectively engage the local community both online and offline. 

Associação Rede de Universidades da Terceira Idade

This project specifically addresses the needs of the elderly population and focuses on promoting their autonomy by encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle through participation in sport. The Walking Football programme focuses on promoting active ageing. 

It is an adapted, inclusive and low-risk sport that can be practiced by anyone, of any age and in any physical condition. Research on walking football has shown promising results for seniors, including improved cardiovascular health, coordination, balance, and muscle strength, as well as potential weight loss and improved overall well-being. 

Encouraging people to maintain or start physical activity is essential to prevent sedentary lifestyles, health problems, reduced autonomy, weakened social ties and consequently more isolated behaviour that can lead to feelings of loneliness.

The quality of the project is evident in its positive results, both individual and collective. It has led to improved health, socialisation, and autonomy, as well as increased civic participation, particularly by fostering intergenerational links that benefit the community.

FITA - Federazione Italiana Taekwondo

Intergenerational Taekwondo: grandparents and grandchildren sports, started in January 2023. The initiative aims to involve different generations, seniors over 60, and children under 12, through the practice of Taekwondo, a Korean martial art known for its physical and mental benefits. 

In Italy, a country with a high aging population, this project is an innovative and engaging solution to combat sedentary lifestyles and to promote an active lifestyle.

There are various objectives of the project

• health promotion - The use of taekwondo as a tool for improvement of the physical and mental health of seniors and the promotion of healthy habits of active living. 
• social integration - It has played an important role in strengthening the bonds between the two generations, promoting respect and mutual appreciation through the sharing of sporting experiences.