Sport4All – Empowering Inclusion Through Sport

Sport4All is a European project focused on increasing access to sport for children and young people with disabilities. Running for 18 months, the project brought together partners from Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, and Malta to provide new opportunities, improve wellbeing, and build a more inclusive environment through sport.

The Projects goals:

• Promote Social Inclusion
  Support children and youth with disabilities in overcoming challenges related to social participation, making friends, and engaging in physical activities.

• Break Down Barriers
  Tackle economic, geographic, cultural, and social obstacles that limit access to sport.

• Enhance Mental & Physical Wellbeing
  Use sport as a tool to promote not just physical health, but also emotional resilience and social integration.

• Build Self-Confidence
  Foster teamwork and collaboration through international activities that nurture personal growth and self-belief.

• Make Sport a Lifestyle
  Inspire young people with disabilities to adopt sport as a lifelong habit and source of motivation.

Inspire Malta’s Role in Sport4All

As a proud partner in the Sport4All project, Inspire Malta has taken part in key activities across Europe—promoting inclusion, learning new techniques, and supporting young athletes with disabilities. Here are the main events we’ve been involved in:

Project Launch – Istanbul, Türkiye

Attended by: Elaine Fenech & Ceylan Tarhan
Inspire Malta was officially introduced during the Sport4All project launch in Istanbul. This event brought all partner organisations together to discuss the goals of the initiative and the impact it will have in each country. Elaine and Ceylan had the opportunity to present Inspire’s mission and work to a broader European audience.

Halliwick Training – Zagreb, Croatia

Attended by: Adelaide Sammut & Elaine Fenech
Held in Croatia, this hands-on training introduced the Halliwick swimming method, which focuses on teaching swimming to people with disabilities. The session was led by Paralympic medallist Ana Sršen, representing Natator Klub. Inspire Malta aims to apply this knowledge directly to its swimming programmes, enhancing the experience for both children and adults.

Online Training – Malta

Delivered by: Adelaide Sammut, assisted by Elaine Fenech & Ceylan Tarhan
This training was aimed at caregivers, sports administrators, and coaches in Malta. Topics included disability awareness, inclusion through sport, and real challenges faced in the local context. It served as a valuable exchange of experiences, helping us connect and build support networks for better outcomes in disability sport.

International Swimming Event – Istanbul, Türkiye

Date: 28 February 2025
Six young athletes proudly represented Inspire Malta in this international swimming competition, including individuals with autism and Down syndrome. Their journey was made possible through dedicated coaching by Elaine and Twanny Fenech, who helped the youths prepare and grow in confidence.

Participants: Essien Mifsud, Carla Cutajar, Dwayne Pulis, Jaiden Cilia, Silvio, and Max Camilleri
Parents also joined, supporting this unique experience and celebrating each achievement.

Swimming Celebration Event – Inspire Malta

This joyful event was organised at Inspire’s own pool to honour the power of swimming as a tool for growth and joy. The day included fun activities, use of new equipment, and brought many smiles to participants of all ages. Swimming remains a core part of Inspire’s disability services, and this event was a reminder of its importance in daily life.

Goalball Workshop – Istanbul, Türkiye

Inspire also took part in a Goalball workshop—an inclusive team sport designed for athletes with visual impairments. The session aimed to increase understanding of Paralympic sports and explore how similar activities could be introduced in Malta.