Icehearts in Sassari: growing together, one step at a time

There is something powerful about small changes. A child who finally looks up. A mother who stays to watch instead of leaving. A group of strangers running together, laughing, passing the ball, encouraging each other after just a few minutes. In Sassari, with Icehearts Europe, these gestures have become the measure of a change that starts with sport but goes much further.

Sixty girls and boys, divided into age groups, took part in activities promoted by Uisp Sassari, in collaboration with schools, sports facilities, educators, and families. Many different sports were played, but it wasn't just about sport: every game was an opportunity to meet, overcome shyness, and build relationships.

Rugby taught them that falling down is not a defeat if you get back up together. Basketball transformed dribbling and shooting hoops into a universal language. Climbing, with its handholds and encouragement, made mutual support tangible. With the game G.U.I.L.T., the children explored the city like little detectives, discovering that every corner can become an adventure. Among the most engaging experiences was the tournament at the Refuge, which saw children and parents welcome other children from the neighborhood into a shared space, transformed for a day into a home for everyone.

Other projects explored new languages: “Bucefalo va a Londra” (Bucefalo goes to London), an activity that combines learning English with pet therapy, made studying warmer and more accessible, with a patient dog at the children's side. And then there was the theater, where improvisation and breathing helped even the shyest children to express themselves, to find their voice and body in a respectful and playful space.

During the summer, the project guarantees free participation in Uisp summer camps, thanks also to the collaboration with municipal swimming pools. This is a way of offering educational continuity and support to families, ensuring safe and stimulating environments for children. The most vulnerable families initially found it difficult to get involved. But the network built by Uisp, made up of educators, mentors, and local organizations, has opened up spaces and possibilities. Some parents, who were initially wary, were moved when they saw their children's progress.

The heart of the project, however, is the children themselves. Those who had never held a rugby ball now clasp it like a trophy. Those who initially looked down now climb walls, throw the ball, and speak up. Every “I can't do it” that turns into “look what I did” is an achievement.

Icehearts Europe, inspired by the Finnish model and coordinated by ISCA – International Sport and Culture Association, is active in eight countries. In Italy, it involves 12 Uisp committees and 420 children, accompanied by educational mentors on long-term courses. In Sassari, too, the project continues to demonstrate that the most important goal is not to finish first, but to finish together. (Lorenzo Boffa)

Funded by the European Union. The opinions expressed are, however, solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.