Rafael Nadal Foundation supports young people impacted by Covid-19
Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal won his 20th major singles and 13th French Open title at Roland-Garros last month, and while his efforts on the court continue to inspire, off it the three-time Laureus Award winner has also been working to change young lives through sport.
In 2020, The Rafa Nadal Foundation is marking ten years of using sport as a tool for social and personal development among disadvantaged youth in Spain and India. Laureus Sport for Good’s collaboration with the Rafa Nadal Foundation launched earlier this year, with both organisations adapting to find found new ways of working to continue changing lives despite the challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
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From the Rafa Nadal Foundation’s centres in Palma and Valencia in Spain, the team distributed electronic tablets, school material kits and printed resources in order to give programme participants an opportunity to continue learning during lockdown. In Palma, the Foundation also delivered economic aids to support food and basic hygiene products for families struggling as a result of the pandemic.
Additionally, in June, once the lockdown restrictions had been lifted and before the start of summer school, the Foundation carried out activities for the young people and their families, with the aim of reintroducing them to physical activity and helping them overcome possible fears. From family sports activities in the park and specific outdoor activities for the young people to physiological support, focused on accepting the new reality and how to face changes, the young people were supported in a challenging time.
At the beginning of October, and in line with local restrictions, the Rafa Nadal Foundation centres started their two school years, opening their doors again and working with children in vulnerable situations.
As a result of the global pandemic, young people and their families are now supported in different ways, with activities and tailored to their specific needs. At the organisation’s centres in Valencia and Palma, an additional psychotherapy service has been added to the sports and education sessions that were already in place.
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With this new service, the Rafa Nadal Foundation will now be able to meet the needs that are directly related to the emotional and psychological aspects of the children and families who are assisted in the center.
“Focusing on helping the children and young people who live in vulnerable situations was the best decision that we could have made”, said Rafael Nadal. “I believe it’s essential that they learn how to give their best, to try hard... and enjoy while doing it. This is how I understand life, both on and off the court”, he adds.Laureus Academy Member and winner of 59 Grand Slam titles Martina Navratilova, said: “Rafa has been an inspiration to us all for his phenomenal efforts on and off the court. At Laureus Sport for Good, we are proud to work in collaboration with the Rafa Nadal Foundation, using sport to improve the lives of vulnerable young people. Thank you, Rafa. You’re a true champion, in every way.”
María Francisca Perelló, director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, explained that “through sports, we foster positive values, skills and behaviors to meet the challenges of daily life and those related to the different contexts. We feed off the power of sports practice as a tool of empowerment and as a vehicle to learn”.
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