ONE TEAM AWARDS
The One Team Awards recognize the efforts made by Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup clubs to integrate their communities using basketball. The 2024 shortlist highlights eight clubs that have delivered outstanding work in their local communities, supporting those hwo are, or at risk of being marginalized, during the 2023-24 season. The clubs in the shortlist are contenders for Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards that will be announced during the One Team Annual Workshop. Judge's Awards for special recognition in certain areas will also be given.
Shortlisted Clubs
BASKONIA VITORIA-GASTEIZ
- Baskonia ran two weekly programmes in their One Team program, supported by the Gizarterako Association - whose mission is committed to defending the human rights of women and sponsored by the French-based organisation - Michelin. The program, which has been working with Gizarterako for a long period of time, was aimed at community cohesion – at risk youth, with 16 children, aged between five and twelve, who were the sons and daughters of the women supported by Gizarterako. As well as working with schools, the program used basketball to encourage respect, tolerance and teamwork, dedicating their time to supporting children integrate into society and the inclusion of their families. The program sessions were creative with their drills and created initiatives to support their social partner. The club demonstrated good communication skills, including sharing pictures of sessions and were highly engaged with the program, as well as working well with their Ambassador.
- Judges were particularly impressed that this season Baskonia celebrated their 10th anniversary with an event, with specially made t-shirts and a video, featuring prominent figures from the program’s history. They continued to donate and work with their social partner to raise funds for the cause; such as through a league game coin toss and a jersey auction. Baskonia has even set up other activations, such as basketball camps, practices with club staff and sponsored events. Furthermore, Baskonia scored well in their surveys, in particular, scoring well around helping participants understand their feelings and communicating with others, despite working within a challenging space.
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA LJUBLJANA
- Cedevita Olimpija ran monthly sessions for their One Team program, focusing on helping young people with disabilities through basketball and sport, equipping them with social skills needed for everyday life. Partnering with Youth care centre Malči Belič Ljubljana, who provided really good feedback about Cedevita Olimpija going above and beyond, to ensure a safe space for four to twelve children, aged between seven and thirteen. Additionally, Cedevita Olimpija works with a number of sponsors and partners, including NLB d. d. and IKEA that provide support, such as small gifts for participants.
- Judges noted that Cedevita Olimpija demonstrated strong objectives in their sessions and a good structure across delivery, offering mental health support and picking skills to work on that were relevant to the group - such as motivation, reliability and personal responsibility. They had a strong media plan, which included national TV, their website, social media and the clubs’ TV channel. One of the many highlights included a collaborative trip with Reyer Umana Venice to see a EuroCup game and participated in a basketball session together, as well as a trip to Zagreb to see a domestic league game and a visit to the facilities the local club. As well as two impressive change stories and Ambassador involvement in the sessions and OT interviews, surveys showed that participants deeply enjoyed the program and felt valued.
EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILAN
- Celebrating its 6th year of partnership with Laureas Sport For Good Italia, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s community cohesion school program supports 20 children across two groups on a weekly basis, using basketball as a common language with creative drills. The program focuses on children from different cultural backgrounds who are at risk of stepping outside of the law or living in distressing situations, through psychological well-being and social inclusion.
- Judges were particularly impressed with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s program, including their collaborative work with sponsors and partners and creation of additional options for activities. Not only did EA7 Emporio Armani Milan organise a joint event during the Milan Marathon, but merchandise sponsor, Scalo Milano, other partners and OT employees took part in the Marathon, with proceeds collected going to the One Team program. Efforts were made to solidify their partnership through sharing of One Team content on Laureas’ social media and introducing each other to One Team methodologies. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was very communicative and sought new ideas and improvements, including sharing plenty of press releases, stories and pictures in local media. Finally, data showed that a large number of new participants had joined the program this year.
FC BARCELONA
- FC Barcelona has worked alongside its Foundation and the General Directorate of the Juvenile Penitentiary Centre (CPJ) to support and fund the reinsertion of the centre’s residents using basketball as a tool for education and learning values. The program supported between 15 and 20 men between the ages of 18 and 24. The program shows its strengths through providing tools for future employability, fostering respect for team-mates and offering platforms for dialogue and exchange.
- Judges found the program and staff demonstrated a high level of knowledge in the community program through high quality plans and feedback following sessions, moving to two sessions a week due to the positive impact with effective drills. Furthermore, the club invited their willing Ambassadors to participate in a variety of different events, including within the CPJ and former players from the women’s team on Women’s Day to participate in a session, also within the CPJ. The club again arranged activities outside of the court and inmates were taken to the museum for a meet and greet with the Ambassadors. Consistently the program produced good communication and media and a fantastic change story, demonstrating good sport for development work, despite the challenges of the environment. Finally, their survey scores showed participants greatly enjoyed the program and developed skills in understanding and communicating their feelings with others.
LDLC ASVEL VILLEURBANNE
- LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne demonstrated an extensive year-long One Team program with SESSAD (Service Éducation Social Soin A Domicile), supporting young people with intellectual disabilities in 90-minute weekly sessions. Specifically, splitting 65 participants between the ages of seven and 52 into groups and promoting integration through sport - helping them in their daily lives and assisting their parents through a common goal of learning and sharing.
- Judges were particularly impressed with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne’s ability to go above and beyond in their approach. Not only did their communication ensure the impact of the program was clear, but they made a large effort to bring on a number of sponsors to enable them to organise an amazing trip to visit One Team Bayern Munich and record a great behind the scenes video. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne demonstrated the positive impact of involving family, specifically around a local brand and their Ambassadors, who were highly engaged, spoke clearly and well about the programme. There were several successful change stories and partner testimonies demonstrated specific areas of improvements for the participants, including one participant becoming a volunteer. Finally, the report LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne created demonstrated the impact they made with the three-part program across the year.
OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS
- Olympiacos Piraeus partnered with two different organisations focusing on supporting youth at risk with Agios Dimitrios and refugees through the Schisto Facility. The program eligible for the award demonstrated exceptional engagement and enthusiasm for 19 youth at risk, between the ages of nine and 12. The program focuses on building personal responsibility, communication skills and self-confidence through a safe environment for the participants. Olympiacos Piraeus effectively communicated their program and its impact of participants through content on their website and social media platform, such as posts, videos and images highlighting important sessions, even including quotes from their Ambassadors and videos that can be used at the One Team centre.
- The judges particularly liked the creative authenticity of their drills, including taking the time to record special tutorials. There was a strong connection created between the Manager, Coaches and participants. In addition to this, the participants not only learnt basketball and social skills, they also learned about sustainability, adding a layer of depth to their program. A variety of sponsors enabled a number of benefits to participants, who came from families with low to no income, ranging from t-shirts, juices and water in every session, food and even ice creams. Finally, surveys showed participants really enjoyed the program and particularly helped them make new friends.
PANATHINAIKOS AKTOR ATHENS
- Panathinaikos Aktor Athens celebrates its 3rd year in a row of partnership with Special Olympics Hellas for its One Team Program, with the aim of helping athletes identify their strengths and potential. The program focuses on 15 participants aged between 18 and 45 with intellectual disabilities across 12 weeks. Focusing on one skill area per month, the program develops social skills, self-development and leadership, even highlighting gender equity as an objective. The program had diversity within sponsorship, through Adidas, 3E, Coca-Cola and Nature Valley.
- Judges were particularly pleased to see a good recap presentation to present their program for the One Team Awards. Content was created for the program with comprehensive session plans and feedback was sought to ensure improvement on the drills, therefore building a connection between participant and coaches. Furthermore, Panathinaikos Athens published different news items and videos, including an interview with the OT Coach and one of the newly selected Ambassadors. Ambassadors were greatly involved, and the club highlighted their willingness to engage and support the program. Finally, the survey data demonstrated all participants scored the program maximum points on enjoyment and particularly highlighted feeling like they belong and are valued at One Team.
UMANA REYER VENICE
- For the second consecutive year, Umana Reyer Venice has partnered with Co.Ge.S don Lorenzo Milani Società Cooperativa Sociale to deliver its One Team program. The program focuses on supporting a group of 10 to 15 refugees, aged 14 to 17 years old, integrate back into society through developing a variety of core skills and meeting new people through the One Team methodology. These include building self-esteem, autonomy, collaboration and communication through learning the Italian language, as well as having fun!
- The judges were impressed by the information shared and extra activities occurring off court. Such as hosting the OT participants from Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana during a EuroCup game, inviting the local media to get to know more about the program and play with participants, and also involving the First Team female players on Women’s Day. The change story for Umana Reyer Venice was particularly emotive, and the team created great videos, reels, as well as effective Ambassador involvement too. A commercial sponsor was brought on – Galentis: Fine Chemical Company - who helped Umana Reyer Venice cover some costs and was keen to be involved in the program due to strong principles around the value of sport, basketball and giving help to others. Finally, in addition to well over half of participants being new to basketball, surveys demonstrated that participants felt valued and that they belonged at the One Team program.
Shortlisted Ambassadors
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA LJUBLJANA
Edo stood out by going the extra mile for the participants, not only did he attend four sessions, but he led a session, invited his coaching team to come and watch and got to know the children, inviting them to games. The children saw him as a mentor as he dedicated his free time to education and having fun with the children.
Furthermore, he brought candies to a session, spent time with the children during the league games and even brought presents at Christmas time.
He also shared information on his Instagram stories and took part in multiple interviews about One Team.
EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILAN
Gigi filled the role as an all-round Ambassador, he attended three sessions in total, including multiples in one day. Being a member of the technical and corporate staff meant he was able to talk to the team about his role and the activities he was involved in, demonstrating his commitment on and off the field.
Gigi also went beyond expectations, making videos about and even participating in the Milan Marathon, as well as getting involved in the One Team game.
Furthermore, he reposted activities and stories, including on Twitter / X.
PARIS BASKETBALL
Gauthier was described as a model Ambassador and made a large effort to come to sessions, resulting in six visits.
Not only did he speak to sports staff within the club to promote the One Team program, he took the time to speak openly to participants about his life stories. He made a motivating speech at the start and end of the session. Gauthier took part in the exercises and even played the role of coach.
Although Gauthier is not a large social media user, he reposted One Team stories on Instagram.
BASKONIA VITORIA-GASTEIZ
Khalifa demonstrated deep involvement in the program. He attended the program four times and build up a positive rapport with the One Team program.
He contributed gifts to the participants personally and took the time to share One Team activities on his social media.
PANATHINAIKOS AKTOR ATHENS
Juancho had glowing feedback from his season as Ambassador. Not only did he attend every session, but the additional activities as well. He took the time to fully understand the program and drills, even contributing to the drills himself. He also communicated to his team about the One Team programme.
He bought gifts for everyone, including a signed, framed photograph for the One Team.
Furthermore, he promoted One Team on social media and shared stories.
OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS
Kostas has been an Ambassador for an incredible eight years, demonstrating his dedication for the program. This season he attended four sessions and encouraged many other players to also get involved as Ambassadors. It was noted that he was a great speaker and even supported a video with coca cola to promote One Team.
Kostas also engaged with One Team on social media, promoting the message and activities.
FC BARCELONA
Oscar was noted to be a great Ambassador and visited the One Team programme five times. He demonstrated in-depth knowledge about the program and actively volunteered to get more involved, demonstrating a genuine personal care for the program. He has great communication skills and proactively meets and greets the participants in the sessions. He even went the extra mile to come up with a new idea to tackle food waste.
Oscar did a lot of sharing on social media across Twitter/X and Instagram to share the message and activities of One Team.