France/"Bringing disabled, able-bodied and disadvantaged children together through sport": Espace Renaissance association partners with AS Béziers-Hérault

Around thirty children gathered at the Sauclières stadium on Wednesday April 8 to learn about rugby and break down barriers.

On the Sauclières pitch, under the watchful eye of ASBH trainer Alex Aguinalin, the oval ball circulates between the cries, laughter and hands of some thirty children discovering rugby. Some have disabilities, others come from underprivileged backgrounds, but all have been brought together by Espace Renaissance. Through sport, they realize that a disabled child is first and foremost a child, with the same joys and desires," explains Isabelle Pereira from Biterroise, one of the association's directors. This lifts the taboo of disability and avoids harassment."

These "Inclusive Renaissance" Wednesdays are organized throughout the department, along with other sports. "This is our first partnership with ASBH, but we've also worked with angling, pétanque and soccer clubs," adds Isabelle Pereira.

And these are not the only activities organized in Béziers by this Montpellier-based association, which specializes in children and is active all along the Mediterranean coast: "At the end of the year, we distributed cuddly toys, books and toys to 6,650 children from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Last December, at the Polygone in Béziers, there were 300 of them. We also have an agreement with the agglomeration to hire 2 or 3 young people on civic service to help with homework in the neighborhoods". Not to mention the Maisons des parents in Montpellier and Béziers (see below).

Source: www.midilibre.fr/