Start Date
17-6-2025 3:00 PM
End Date
17-6-2025 4:30 PM
Abstract
The SK Rapid Special Needs Team (SNT) is an inclusive football program in partnership with the Sports Federation for the Disabled of Vienna (WBSV), designed to provide accessible and empowering sports opportunities for people with disabilities. The initiative currently engages 94 participants , with an average age of 21.5, including individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, deafness, visual or mental disabilities, and learning difficulties. The primary goals are to enhance physical health, social integration, and well-being through football, fostering a sense of belonging to the Community and empowerment.
The initiative includes training sessions, coaches clinics and an international festival promoting cultural exchange. A coaching manual is being developed to ensure scalability and sustainability. Additionally, the program has created employment for players with disabilities, who now work at SK Rapid in various roles.
The initiative has significantly increased participation in football among children with disabilities. Coaches have gained inclusive sports expertise, which is being replicated. The program has raised community awareness of the rights and needs of PwD, aligning with the ISAPA 2025 themes of “Creating new opportunities” and “‘Inclusivizing’ By promoting social inclusion, economic opportunities, and equal participation, the initiative contributes to achieving SDG 10 and SDG 8 (Kurniawan & Samudro, 2024).
The project is well established, through partnerships, funding, and coach training, ensuring long-term impact. The effect of SK Rapid SNT inspired other clubs to create similar teams. This initiative exemplifies how inclusive sports programs can transform lives and foster a more inclusive society, as supported by Toktas and Kose (2023).
Recommended Citation
Mayr, Gabriel; Costa, Matias; Straka, Margit; and Kerber, Jürgen, "Together Rapid: Inclusive Football for People with Disabilities" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 74.
https://sword.mtu.ie/isapa/2025/day2/74
Together Rapid: Inclusive Football for People with Disabilities
The SK Rapid Special Needs Team (SNT) is an inclusive football program in partnership with the Sports Federation for the Disabled of Vienna (WBSV), designed to provide accessible and empowering sports opportunities for people with disabilities. The initiative currently engages 94 participants , with an average age of 21.5, including individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, deafness, visual or mental disabilities, and learning difficulties. The primary goals are to enhance physical health, social integration, and well-being through football, fostering a sense of belonging to the Community and empowerment.
The initiative includes training sessions, coaches clinics and an international festival promoting cultural exchange. A coaching manual is being developed to ensure scalability and sustainability. Additionally, the program has created employment for players with disabilities, who now work at SK Rapid in various roles.
The initiative has significantly increased participation in football among children with disabilities. Coaches have gained inclusive sports expertise, which is being replicated. The program has raised community awareness of the rights and needs of PwD, aligning with the ISAPA 2025 themes of “Creating new opportunities” and “‘Inclusivizing’ By promoting social inclusion, economic opportunities, and equal participation, the initiative contributes to achieving SDG 10 and SDG 8 (Kurniawan & Samudro, 2024).
The project is well established, through partnerships, funding, and coach training, ensuring long-term impact. The effect of SK Rapid SNT inspired other clubs to create similar teams. This initiative exemplifies how inclusive sports programs can transform lives and foster a more inclusive society, as supported by Toktas and Kose (2023).