02/10/2026
⚽💙 In Bartın, a sports club for children with autism and disabilities found that some of the biggest changes happened away from the track.
Bartın Autism and Disability Support, Education and Solidarity Sports Club (BOEDSK) set out to make regular sport more accessible. Between March and May:
🏃 Athletics, bocce, table tennis and swimming
📅 50+ training sessions, with around 90% regular attendance
👕 Sports kits for 20 athletes, so everyone trained as one team, and professional sports shoes for 9
🌧️ A treadmill for bad weather and for athletes who need balance support
🌱 10 athletes who had not exercised regularly before began keeping track of their own training days
The change reached families too. 25 parents took part in progress meetings, and two teams of mothers competed in the Mothers' Bocce Championship in Safranbolu. 🏆 A project focused on children's access to sport had grown into one where whole families could take part. 💛
New athletes have since applied to join, and the equipment stays with the club so volunteer coaches can continue the sessions. 🤝
This was made possible by Türkiye Mozaik Foundation’s Sports Giving Circle, which supported SAHADAYIZ Association’s in-kind grant programme. By removing practical barriers to participation, the programme helped more children and young people take part in sport, build confidence and feel part of a team.
🏃 Projects like this are why a team of Türkiye Mozaik Foundation runners are taking on the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise funds for the Sports Giving Circle. Support their campaign and help us remove barriers to sport for more people 👉🏻https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mozaiksports
Bartın Otizmli ve Engelliler Destek Eğitim Dayanışma Spor Kulübü Derneği
Association for Justice and Rights in Sports (SAHADAYIZ Sporda Adalet ve Haklar için Sahadayız Derneği)
Sivil Toplum için Destek Vakfı