First post-pandemic project visit to China

The Real Madrid Foundation has made its first post-pandemic visit to the Social Sports Schools in China, which it runs in collaboration with the Youth Welfare Foundation. They are located in the provinces of Anhui and Inner Mongolia and benefit more than 400 children. In addition, football and values training was provided using the For a Real Education: Values and Sport methodology, which was the first time coaches in Inner Mongolia had received face-to-face training.

Located in a public primary school in the city of Tong Liao in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Social Sports School serves children in a predominantly agricultural and herding area with limited industrial development and a predominantly ethnic Mongolian population. The project was established with the aim of contributing to the holistic development of the beneficiaries by promoting physical activity and other healthy habits, as well as encouraging the development of social and educational values such as respect and teamwork.

Origins
In Jinzhai, Anhui Province, the Socio-sport School started its activities in 2016 in a public primary and secondary school as a pioneering project for the integration of school football in the community. The beneficiaries come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, mostly from rural areas in the mountains, so they live in the school's boarding house during the school year.

Teaching
Approximately ten trainer-educators participated in the Jinzhai training. In Tong Liao, the seven physical education teachers from the school were joined by 13 local teachers, making for a very enriching exchange of ideas and perspectives. Much of the training focused on learning how to use the Coaching Football manual: Teaching Values. The coaches showed great enthusiasm in learning more about the Real Madrid Foundation's educational sports model, which they will be able to apply in their daily work.