The School Sport Foundation (SSF) made a remarkable impact at the Gymnasiade by bringing young athletes and event staff together in a unique “Fun and Skills Zone,” featuring yoga and Pilates workshops designed to support both body and mind.
These sessions offered athletes and staff the chance to stretch, stay fit, and find calm amidst the high-energy event, providing an essential space to recharge and refocus between games. More than just a physical activity, these workshops gave participants an opportunity to relax, clear their minds, and maintain balance during an intense competition.
SSF’s Fun and Skills Zone quickly became the central hub for athletes to gather and unwind, giving everyone a refreshing break from the event’s pressures.
In follow-up with participants, many athletes shared how beneficial the experience was for managing stress, focusing their energy, and keeping their minds and emotions steady.
These sessions helped create an environment of well-being, embodying SSF’s belief that school sports are about much more than winning—they are about offering meaningful opportunities, building friendships, and sharing values that extend beyond the game.
The Gymnasiade, at its core, is about unity, growth, and friendship. Imagine being part of an international gathering where young athletes meet not just to compete but to support each other, exchange experiences, and celebrate the power of sports. SSF’s mission is to create these life-changing experiences for kids everywhere, allowing them to make friends, uncover new talents, and develop strength, confidence, and team spirit in a healthy, supportive environment. Through events like the Gymnasiade, SSF helps kids discover their potential and the true spirit of sports: coming together to learn, grow, and thrive.
To highlight these journeys, SSF shares a series of athlete podcasts on Instagram where participants recount their Gymnasiade experiences. They talk about what they’ve learned about teamwork, how they embraced new activities like Yoga and Pilates, and the lifelong friendships they’ve built along the way. For many, these were new experiences that introduced them to fresh ways of relaxing, staying healthy, and having fun.
For us, development and voice of athletes comes before anything else just as this event is more than just a sport result. It is everything else you can imagine: an unity, friendship and growth.
Visit Instagram account and check the interviews: here!
Make your donation via: SSF!
