Inclusion is one of the objectives that AC Milan work towards with their activities for youngsters. It’s not only about inclusion on the pitch (giving greater access to sport for those who, for various reasons, can’t play it) but also social inclusion (fostering development and sharing).
That’s why AC Milan took part in the Special Adventure Camp, a tournament aimed at disabled and non-disabled teenagers aged 14-18. Eight teams took part in the camp held in the Swiss canton of Schwyz – four international sides (AC Milan, Manchester City, Chelsea FC and ZHO Abu Dhabi) and four local clubs

AC Milan’s involvement was made possible thanks to a partnership with the Lombardy Special Olympics team. The Rossoneri players were selected from football clubs that are signed up to this international movement, which promotes inclusion and a key role in society for people with intellectual disabilities via sport and motor skills activities.
The players came up against each other on the pitch, not only during matches, but also in training sessions which were run on rotation by opposition coaches with mixed groups from different teams. Setting up the activities in this way helped to foster socialising and inclusion among the kids who came into contact with different cultures and were able to try out new training methods. The players were therefore able to improve tactically and in terms of their motor skills, whilst developing their people skills and a positive attitude towards themselves and others. In particular, thanks to mixed activities it was easy to reinforce sporting values such as teamwork, respecting the rules and one’s team-mates, and self-confidence.
Training seminars were run for the coaches in attendance in order for them to share and learn new methods for coaching disabled youngsters. The camp programme was further bolstered by open meetings with the local community to raise awareness of the role sport plays in creating genuine opportunities for integration. Once again football has proven to be an excellent means of integration and inclusion for all.
The camp was organised by the Football is More Foundation, which is committed to promoting projects that use the power of football to meet the needs of young people living in particularly precarious situations, not only in terms of physical well-being but also for economic and social reasons.
Overview | |
Teams |
8 |
International teams |
4 |
N. team locali: Heilpädagogisches Schule Baar, Heilpädagogisches Zentrum Hohenrain, Procap Sargans-Werdenberg, FC zurich |
4 |
Local teams: Heilpädagogisches Schule Baar, Heilpädagogisches Zentrum Hohenrain, Procap Sargans-Werdenberg and FC Zurich |
4 |
Duration |
24-29 May 2016 |
Location |
Brunnen (CH) |
Disabled youngsters |
70 |
Non-disabled youngsters |
200 |
Coaches and teachers |
70 |
Matches |
20 |
Training sessions |
3 |