Conclusion of the PLAYFUL AGEING Project: Empowering Grassroots Basketball Across Borders

The PLAYFUL AGEING project, a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing grassroots basketball and fostering international cooperation, has successfully concluded its journey. Over the course of the project, four partners from Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia came together to create impactful outcomes that have enriched both local communities and the international basketball scene. The project brought together organizations from three countries:

  • Športna Unija Slovenije, Slovenia
  • WBC GirlBasket, Serbia
  • ŽKK Požega, Croatia
  • SC Udarni list, Slovenia

This partnership united diverse experiences, knowledge, and expertise to address the needs of grassroots basketball and promote sustainable practices in sport.

 

The PLAYFUL AGEING project achieved significant milestones, contributing to the development of grassroots basketball and enhancing the capacities of sports staff and volunteers. The main outcomes of the project include:

 

  1. Three Large Grassroots Basketball Tournaments

The highlight of the PLAYFUL AGEING project was the successful organization of three large-scale international grassroots basketball tournaments. These events provided opportunities for youth and veteran players to showcase their talents, engage in fair competition, and foster cultural exchange across borders. Held in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, the tournaments brought together teams from multiple countries, promoting friendship, sportsmanship, and international cooperation. Each tournament emphasized inclusivity, community engagement, and sustainable practices. The tournaments were a celebration of basketball, but they also demonstrated the importance of eco-friendly event management and inclusiveness for all participants, from players to volunteers and spectators.

 

 

  1. Three Workshops for Sport Staff

To ensure the long-term sustainability and development of grassroots basketball, the project delivered three workshops designed for sports staff and volunteers. These workshops, held in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, equipped participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to organize large-scale sports events, particularly basketball tournaments. Through engaging hackathons, participants worked on innovative solutions to implement green practices in sports events, further contributing to the project’s sustainability goals. The knowledge shared in these workshops will have a lasting impact on the grassroots basketball community.

 

 

  1. Desk Research Review

A comprehensive Desk Research Review was conducted as part of the project, which compiled best practices for organizing grassroots basketball tournaments. This review focused on two categories: veteran basketball tournaments and youth basketball tournaments, offering case studies and examples of successful events. The review is now a valuable resource for basketball clubs and sports staff, providing practical guidance for organizing and improving future events.

 

 

  1. Event Manual

The PLAYFUL AGEING project also produced a detailed Event Manual to serve as a comprehensive guide for the organization and execution of large-scale international basketball tournaments. This manual provides structured guidelines and procedures for event organizers, ensuring smooth operations and high-quality tournaments. The manual covers essential areas such as logistics, inclusivity, community engagement, and sustainability, offering a framework for successful and impactful events.

 

 

The PLAYFUL AGEING project has left a lasting legacy in the grassroots basketball community. By uniting partners from Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, it fostered international cooperation and cross-border knowledge exchange. The project’s emphasis on sustainability and inclusivity has set a new standard for grassroots basketball tournaments, ensuring that future events prioritize environmental responsibility and community engagement. The project’s outcomes, including the tournaments, workshops, Desk Research Review, and Event Manual, have provided basketball clubs and sport staff with the tools and resources to continue organizing impactful and inclusive basketball tournaments. The knowledge and skills shared throughout the project will help strengthen the grassroots basketball community in the region and beyond. As the PLAYFUL AGEING project comes to a close, the partners are confident that the lessons learned and the resources created will continue to inspire future initiatives, promoting the values of sportsmanship, sustainability, and international friendship in grassroots basketball.