Including disabled children through sport

Dear Difteur-ses,

Today we introduce you to François-Erwan, a little swimmer bursting with energy, at the Calyssia pool in Tourcoing (Groupe Vert Marine), new member club of the association les Enfants de la Balle✨

When we met him, he had a blue fear of the big pool, he didn't want to use a fry because of its texture, and he couldn't let go of the edge of the pool. 7 weeks later, the magic of sport and inclusion worked 🌟

"I discovered a transformed François-Erwan: a boy in total confidence, accompanied by his sports life helper. I saw a child dare to grab a fry to swim, several times, overcome his fears and, above all, let go of the edge of the pool to swim alone", Nathan, Inclusive Community Manager at the association les Enfants de la Balle.

💬 We're also sharing some words from François-Erwan's mom "I'm very happy to have met les Enfants de la Balle. My son has made enormous progress, thanks in particular to his sports life helper. I see my son happy"💜

That's what inclusion is all about: offering a smile to children and receiving one in return!

A grand merci for your support!

Dear difteurs,

"My name is Marie and I've been Aidante de Vie Sportive bénévole at Stade Orchésien, a soccer club in Orchies (59), since September 2024.

As I was keen to help, I came across the Enfants de la Balle association: I love sport and disability spoke to me. Inclusion is very important, it's the future, and I wanted to be part of it.

I have a background in sport, I used to play soccer and I was a bit of an example of a girl's inclusion in soccer. The same goes for disability: my mom works in IME (Instituts médicaux éducatifs) where I did an internship that I loved, and the kids were really engaging.

My favorite part of being a caregiver is giving and receiving without expecting anything, watching Naël evolve. Seeing his smile, always with a banana, is super satisfying and motivating.

In just a few months, Naël has come a long way, both in his daily life (according to his mom) and in sport. He's much better at channeling himself, and more patient, even if some days are harder than others, like everyone else. But we're seeing a beautiful evolution, and always with a smile, so it's great.

For those who are hesitant about becoming a Sports Life Helper at Les Enfants de la Balle, I'd just say give it a try. To try is to adopt it *laugh*.If you like sharing, if you like people and sport, you've got to go for it!"

A big thank you to you, dear difteurs, for your invaluable support and donations ✨

Dear difteurs,

Claire, Antoine's mom, tells how, thanks to Enfants de la Balle, her son is now thriving in inclusive basketball:

"Antoine has been playing basketball at the Basket Club de Lomme for a few months.

This year has been a bit difficult at school. Antoine is in IME, Institut Médico-Éducatif, and sport has really helped him. Every Thursday evening, before going to basketball, he's happy and euphoric. We have a smiling boy again, who prepares himself to be ready at 6pm. He's happy, self-sufficient, happy to go.

Thanks to Enfants de la Balle, Antoine has a great Aidante de Vie Sportive, Catherine. This is important because it's not easy for him to be included in a group. She helps and supervises him, while allowing him autonomy.We feel Antoine is blossoming thanks to her too.

Thank you all!It's thanks to you that we can share these beautiful, inclusive stories.

In 2024, the association will enable 250 extraordinary children to practice an inclusive sport. Every gesture counts to grow the virtuous circle of inclusion!

Dear Captains,
 
The Enfants de la Balle association has been lucky enough, thanks to Captain Cause and the difts of all its captains, to be supported by the Carrefour Foundation. Thanks to these two partners, there will be 20 new inclusive partner clubs and at least 20 children with disabilities who will be able to practice a sport in an ordinary environment, in a club in their neighborhood, in 2024 and 2025. 

Remember that the Enfants de la Balle methodology is based on 2 axes: the association offers educational assistance for the sports club so that it can easily welcome the difference, and above all, the extraordinary child is accompanied throughout the year by his or her referring adult, the volunteer sports life helper. And it's magical! The child regains self-confidence and makes friends thanks to the benefits of sport and social inclusion. 

Thanks to Captain Cause and the Carrefour Foundation, we had the immense joy of attending the parajudo competitions on Friday September 6 in Paris. Since the Paralympic Games, many requests from families have poured in to the children of the ball. We included 5 children in the week of September 15. 

Thank you again to all the Captains and have a great start to the new sporting year! 

On June 14, the association les Enfants de la Balle organized the 1st Inclusive Sport Day at Décathlon Campus in Villeneuve d'Ascq (59).

Nearly 200 guests gathered around the actors of inclusive sport: children with disabilities, of course, the clubs of our inclusive community, sports life helpers, and a few patrons supporting the association.

We welcomed the children around a snack and sports games. Then we organized a conference to present the association, its genesis, evolution and ambition. The highlight of the day was the testimonies of parents, AVSs, extraordinary children and sports coaches. Good humor and emotion were the order of the day!

Dear Captains,
As of the end of April 2024, we are supporting 80 inclusive sports clubs that are partners of Enfants de la Balle and welcome 230 children with disabilities into their structures.
One sport is well represented: soccer, with 14 member clubs in which 75 extra-ordinary children play, for weekly practice with children who are not disabled. And it's magical! Our partner clubs are located all over France, in the Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France, Brittany and Burgundy regions. We are supported in our development by the LOSC (Lille Club) and the Val de Marne Football District.
Bravo again and thank you for your support, which helps our association to grow every day in favor of the inclusion of extra-ordinary children in sport!

Dear donors, dear friends,
Here's some news about the sports clubs that have joined the Sport Inclusif des Enfants de la Balle community since September 2023:
- 3 children and an Aidant de Vie Sportive, AVS, will start classes at Avenir Bondues Basket Club (59) after the February 2024 vacations.
- 10 children with special needs or disabilities are already part of Basket Club d'Escaudœuvres (59). Some don't need an AVS and are independent, others need help, the association takes care of them!"
- At Lomme Basket Club, 1 child will start sessions at the beginning of March 2024.
- We're in contact with the PRH du Nord, Pôle Ressources Handicap, to help Cercle d'Escrime de Roubaix (59) find a child to include.
- For Sport Athlétique Mérignacais (33), several children are waiting to be included and we're looking for AVSs. If you know any volunteers willing to give 1h30 of their time per week, please contact us! [email protected]
And since January 2024, 6 new clubs have joined us: Club Nautique de Barneville (50), Stade Multisports de Montrouge (92), Badminton Club de Lezennes (59), Taekwondo Club Villeneuvois (59), Ride On Lille (59) and Raquette de Villeneuve d'Ascq (59).
Thank you all, it's thanks to you that more than 200 "extra-ordinary" children can blossom and make friends!

9 sports clubs have joined the Enfants de la Balle association since the start of the September 2023 school year. They have decided to welcome at least one disabled child into their structure, with the support of a volunteer helper, a referent adult who will support and help the child progress on the pitch, every week.
We are therefore delighted to have formed a partnership with :
- l'Avenir Bondues Basket Club 
- le Basket Club d'Escaudœuvres 
- le Championnet Sports Paris 18ème
- le CJBB Le Cateau Basket
- le stade Roubaisien Basket
- l'USJC Rugby Paris
- le Lomme Basket Club
- le Cercle d'Escrime de Roubaix
- le SAM Omnisports - Sport Athlétique Mérignacais