The sport job for the young adult with intellectual disability

The Integrated Soccer Academy is implementing a project, funded by the “8 X Mille” Valdese Church grant, in partnership with Virtus Roma 1960 and Petriana Calcio, taking place during the 2024-25 sports season.

This project aims to develop professional skills in young adults, over 18, with autism within the sports field, allowing them to pursue a career in sports as a Multidisciplinary Assistant, a qualification established by the Italian Federation of Paralympic Sports for Intellectual and Relational Disabilities (FISDIR).

Six young people who already play soccer with the Integrated Soccer Academy were selected after thorough interviews with them and their families to present the program, understand their motivations, and make a decision.

They participated in a 36-hour course, including 16 hours of online theoretical training with a final exam and 20 hours of internship with support from an Integrated Soccer Academy tutor during the “Soccer & Basketball Together” program. Subsequently, they will receive a 5-month contract to carry out their work with a regular technical employment contract registered in the RAS (Sports and Health Register). Their activities will take place at the Integrated Soccer Academy, Petriana Calcio, and Virtus Roma 1960.

This project represents a training-to-employment pathway for young people with intellectual disabilities. Employment is a cornerstone of every individual’s life, enabling them to be part of a social context, develop, and have their specific skills recognized. For young adults (over 18) with intellectual disabilities, work also enables them to move toward a more autonomous and independent life from their families. For parents and siblings, it represents a positive response to their concerns about social isolation and total dependency, which could negatively affect the health and well-being of these young individuals.

The enthusiasm and commitment shown by these young people during their training activities demonstrate the value they assign to this project. This is even more significant considering that, currently in Italy, there is only one person with intellectual disabilities working in this role of multidisciplinary sports assistant established by FISDIR.