In June 2023, a group of young people from across Europe came together in Cefalù, Sicily, to join an Erasmus+ project called “Deuce for Diversity.” The training course was more than a week-long program about tennis. It was a space for learning, sharing, and understanding how sport can help break barriers and create unity among youth. The project focused on inclusion, diversity, and using sport as a way to bring people closer. For youth workers from Romania, this experience was not only new but also full of practical ideas they could bring home.
Back in May 2023, the youth situation in Romania was facing some important challenges, especially related to sport and inclusion. Many young people in rural areas did not have access to sports facilities or healthy activities. In cities, sports were often linked to competition rather than inclusion. Some youth were afraid to join sports groups because of discrimination or because they felt different—due to gender, ethnicity, or physical ability. There was also a lack of youth workers who were trained to use sport as a tool for education and inclusion. These problems were becoming more visible, especially after COVID-19, when young people needed community more than ever, but often felt alone or disconnected.
The participants from Club Faci-Sport joined the training with all these problems in mind. They were looking for tools, methods, and inspiration. In Cefalù, they found more than they expected. The Italian town offered a peaceful environment, surrounded by nature and culture, where people could open their minds and hearts. The program mixed interactive workshops with a practical tennis tournament. This combination helped everyone to connect theory with real life. Many participants were surprised by how quickly sport created friendships, trust, and dialogue—even among people who had never met before.
What made the training course in Sicily special was the way it mixed sport with values. The sessions on diversity and inclusion were not just talks—they were connected to real action. For example, during the tennis tournament, teams were made up of people from different countries, abilities, and backgrounds. Everyone had to work together and communicate, no matter their level of sport skills. Some participants had never played tennis before, but they were included and supported. This simple but powerful method showed how easy it is to include others if the space is safe and respectful.
Another eye-opening moment for the Romanian participants was learning about the best practices from other countries. Some youth workers from Germany had developed a community sports program for refugee youth. Others from France spoke about using sport to reduce school drop-out rates. The Romanian group realized they were not alone in facing challenges, and that many good solutions already existed in Europe. These international exchanges gave them confidence and hope. They also saw how non-formal education could be used more effectively in their own country.
After returning to Romania, the participants from Club Faci-Sport decided to apply what they learned. They created a small community project called “Serve for Inclusion.” The idea was simple: to offer free tennis sessions for young people from different backgrounds, including Roma youth, youth with disabilities, and those from low-income families. The project was designed not as a sport competition, but as a learning experience about respect, diversity, and cooperation. The group used the methods from Sicily, including mixed teams, reflection sessions, and non-formal learning games. They also organized a final tournament with the local community, parents, and schools involved.
The impact of this solution was visible very quickly. Young people who had never played tennis before were excited to join. Some said it was the first time they felt part of a team. Teachers noticed that students who joined the project became more confident and more open to others. Local authorities showed interest in supporting more activities like this. Even parents who were skeptical at first started to support their children’s participation. The project also helped the youth workers to become more active in their town. They started working more with schools and local clubs to promote inclusive sport practices.
In the long term, the team from Club Faci-Sport hopes to create a network of youth workers in Romania who use sport as a tool for inclusion. They believe that youth have the power to change things, but they need support and safe spaces. The experience in Sicily showed them that change can start from a small idea, especially when people from different countries and cultures come together. Tennis, in this case, was not just a game—it was a symbol of what young people can do when they feel included and respected.
Looking ahead, the team wants to keep working on building stronger, more inclusive communities. They believe that sport should be for everyone, and that every young person has the right to feel seen, heard, and supported. Erasmus+ gave them the chance to grow, learn, and share. Now they want to give that chance to others. Through their local actions, they are creating not only better players, but better citizens. The project “Deuce for Diversity” will always stay in their memory as a turning point—a place where they discovered the real power of youth, the meaning of teamwork, and the beautiful simplicity of hitting a tennis ball and breaking a social barrier at the same time.