In June 2023, a group of 35 youth workers from across Europe came together in Cefalù, a coastal town in Sicily, Italy. They participated in the Erasmus+ project Deuce for Diversity, a unique training course that combined non-formal education with the world of sport—specifically tennis. The goal of this project was to explore how sport could become a powerful tool for promoting inclusion, diversity, and social cohesion among young people. The format of the training was very special: workshops on diversity were combined with a practical tennis tournament, creating a direct connection between learning and action. For the youth workers from France, this experience became a new beginning. It gave them fresh ideas, international friendships, and a deep understanding of how sport can be used to build more inclusive societies.
In France, the social situation in May 2023 was tense in many urban and suburban areas. Youth from immigrant families, especially in the suburbs of large cities, often felt excluded from mainstream education and social programs. There were growing tensions in public schools, where students from different backgrounds didn’t always mix well. Some communities were struggling with racism and inequality. Sport, which should have been a space for unity, was sometimes a space of competition and exclusion. Many girls from conservative or migrant families were not allowed to join sports activities, especially if they were mixed. Youth with disabilities often found no place in local sport clubs. While there were many initiatives promoting diversity, the real connection between inclusion and daily youth work was still missing in many regions.
The youth workers from Together For Youth joined the training in Sicily with open minds and clear goals. They wanted to understand how to make their local sport projects more inclusive and effective. What they experienced during Deuce for Diversity changed their whole approach. From the first day, they noticed how the training created a safe and positive space for everyone. The program was not focused only on knowledge but also on practice. In the tennis sessions, players of all levels worked together, supporting each other and learning new skills. Winning was not the goal. The main idea was cooperation, patience, and respect. Even participants who had never played tennis before felt included and important. This method made a strong impact on the French participants, who saw how easy and powerful inclusion could be when values came first.
The workshops gave even more depth to the experience. Through interactive activities, group discussions, and personal sharing, participants explored the meaning of diversity. They reflected on how language, body image, gender roles, and cultural traditions affect how young people are treated in sport and youth work. A story from a youth worker from Eastern Europe showed how girls were often left out of sport events because they were seen as weak. Another participant from North Africa explained how his community used local games to welcome newcomers. These stories gave the French group new motivation. They realized that inclusion must start from the beginning of every project—not just at the end. They also saw how non-formal education tools could help youth express themselves, build trust, and overcome fear.
After returning home to France, the team from Together For Youth started a new project called Open Court. It was a weekly program for teenagers from different cultural and economic backgrounds in the suburbs of Marseille. The goal was to use tennis and other low-cost sports to bring youth together in a positive and respectful way. The training methods from Cefalù were used directly in the design of the program. The sessions were not just about sport—they also included reflection circles, short workshops on stereotypes, and group exercises that built empathy and communication. Girls and boys played together. Youth from local schools were mixed with migrant youth from a nearby shelter. The coaches were trained to support not just physical skill but also emotional well-being and teamwork.
The response to Open Court was fast and positive. Many young people who had stopped joining school sport clubs came back with interest. Some had never tried tennis before, but they stayed because they felt safe and respected. One participant, a girl of Algerian descent, said it was the first time she played sport with boys and felt equal. Parents became curious and started visiting the sessions. Local schools began recommending the project to their students. The city council noticed the program and invited the NGO to speak at a local forum on inclusive education. A partnership with a local disability rights group helped bring in new participants and adapt some activities for youth with physical challenges. The impact of the project went beyond the court. Youth workers reported better group behavior, less conflict among teens, and new friendships between young people who had never spoken before.
The French youth workers also grew in confidence and skill. The training in Cefalù gave them a model they could adapt and share. They created a small toolkit in French, based on the games and methods learned in the Erasmus+ project. They began training other youth workers in their region, showing them how to use sport as a way to connect—not divide. The team also kept contact with other participants from the training. With support from partners in Italy and Germany, they began planning a youth exchange on sport and gender equality for the next year. The energy from the international experience stayed with them and continued to influence their everyday work.
Looking to the future, Together For Youth believes that sport must be part of the solution to Europe’s challenges. It is not just a way to stay fit—it is a powerful language that can be spoken by everyone. When youth are given a space to play, to be listened to, and to be valued, they grow into leaders. Projects like Deuce for Diversity show that change does not start with policies—it starts with people. And youth workers are in a special position to make this change happen every day.
France, like many other countries, needs strong, inclusive, and creative youth programs. The team from Marseille is now working on making Open Court a regular part of their community work. They hope to receive more support from public and private partners so the program can grow. They dream of opening similar courts in other cities and rural areas. The long-term goal is to create a national platform for inclusive sport education, where youth from different regions can learn, play, and lead together.
The experience in Cefalù was more than a training. It was a life-changing journey. It reminded the youth workers that diversity is not a problem to solve—it is a gift to share. Inclusion is not an extra—it is the foundation. And sport, when done with heart and purpose, can be a powerful way to bring young people together. In the hands of dedicated youth workers, a simple tennis match can become the first step to a better future.