Inclusion at the University of Fribourg

Under the title “Inclusion at the University of Fribourg”, a unique two-day programme was held as part of a bachelor’s course, offering students the opportunity to experience how football can be used as a tool for inclusion and social participation. Organised by the FOOTBALL IS MORE (FIM) Foundation and the University of Fribourg, the project combined theoretical knowledge with practical experiences on the football pitch.

The first morning focused on the theoretical foundations of the topic. In various sessions, VfB Stuttgart inclusion expert Fritz Quien – translated by Alex Geissbühler – introduced key topics such as social responsibility, the different types of impairments and their challenges, and the unifying power of sport. The theoretical part concluded with the students preparing training sessions that they would deliver with people with impairments on the following day.

The afternoon was dedicated to hands-on self-experience activities, in which students simulated various impairments – such as playing football with crutches, blind football, or silent communication to simulate deafness. These exercises offered a new and empathetic perspective on the daily experiences of people with impairments and broadened their outlook for the upcoming day. In addition, the students – only one of whom actively plays football – had the chance to test their planned sessions with their classmates, identifying potential barriers, problems, and challenges in training or organisation.

The second day also began in the classroom, located in a VIP lounge at the BCF Arena of the Fribourg-Gottéron ice hockey club. There, the students delved deeper into the various types of impairments and the specific challenges these may pose in a training context. They were also given ample time to refine their training sessions based on the insights gained from the previous day.

In the afternoon, the group moved once more to the football pitch, where inclusive sessions with participants from the local Fondation Clos Fleuri from Bulle (FR) were the focus. The inclusive training sessions were led alternately by the students, allowing them to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice. These encounters helped break down barriers, strengthen team spirit and communication, and demonstrated the powerful, unifying nature of football.

The project was met with great enthusiasm by students and all those involved. The course “Inclusion at the University of Fribourg” will continue in the future and be further expanded. The aim is to embed the topic of inclusion permanently in university education and to sensitise and empower even more young people to help shape an inclusive society.