Reinventing Sporting Traditions

Background Reinventing Sporting Traditions (ReSport) was a joint initiative of European sport and civil society organizations from Hungary, Romania, Spain, Poland, Austria and Turkey to tackle sedentarism, challenges of physical inactivity, mental-health issues caused by lack of movement and absence of peer-to-peer socializing. The key focus of the initiative was to collect and reshape European Traditional Sports and Games (TSGs) by exchanging cultural heritage and creating an innovative e-guide. Objectives The main objectives of the project were to modernize and promote ​European TSGs in order to make them attractive and accessible for youngsters to engage in higher levels of physical activity. The initiative aimed at developing innovative educational methods​ to upskill sport associations’ staff, particularly volunteers to deliver TSG-based initiatives in their local communities. As a result project partners promoted European sporting heritage ​and strengthened European identity through TSGs. Implementation ReSport was successfully implemented within the time frame of 18 months, between 1 January 2021 – 30 June 2022. The implementation period was divided into three different phases: the preparatory phase, implementation phase and dissemination phase. All together 3 transnational project meetings - including a training course - were delivered. The main outcomes of the project such as videos of the reinvented TSGs, the handbook and the website were delivered in due time. Achievements Project partners succeeded in delivering all the previously determined outcomes. An e-manual with a database featuring TSGs and their reinvented versions, a brand-new website and videos of the reinvented games with explanatory illustrations. At the transnational training course in Hungary over 30 participants worked together to reinvent these games, while at the closing and dissemination event in Turkey over 150 young people could learn about the ReSport project and its main outcomes.