Volleyball event is Respect lesson for Polish pupils

A volleyball tournament has been held in Poland to promote the Respect Your Health – Euroschools 2012 initiative for UEFA EURO 2012, which is one of the four key projects forming the overall Respect campaign for next summer's final tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

The event in Obroncow was an excellent example of how children can be tuned into a specific topic through sport and games – and, in this instance, made to feel a sense of responsibility as ambassadors for health. The tournament took place in Obroncow Westerplatte Middle School No11, with the goal of creating awareness of the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle free of addictions. So, as well as the sporting contest, pupils presented artwork targeting stimulants such as cigarettes.

Ten teams took part and were split into two groups, from which the winners and runners-up advanced to a second phase featuring high-quality matches. During a pause in the action, an additional competition was staged for players wearing special beer goggles – giving participants the impression they were under the influence of alcohol. Team captains tried to pass the ball while wearing the goggles, which proved a difficult task. The winner was Patryk Niżygorocki from class level one.

At the end of the event, each team was presented with diplomas, medals and prizes funded by the local city council, Sejmik Województwa Pomorskiego. All the players also received T-shirts emblazoned with the Respect Your Health – Euroschools 2012 logo.

The Respect Your Health – Euroschools 2012 programme – being organised overall by UEFA partner streetfootballworld – focuses on anti-smoking, moderation in alcohol, healthy eating and physical activity among youngsters and their families in Poland and Ukraine.

UEFA's Respect campaign will be tackling some of Europe's key social concerns, seeking to raise awareness and positively affect the lives of people in the UEFA EURO 2012 co-host nations. Both in the build-up to and during the tournament, the campaign will be making its impact felt in Poland, Ukraine and beyond through various initiatives grouped under the four headings of Respect Diversity, Respect Fan Culture, Respect Inclusion and Respect Your Health.