Play Forward | Participants Testimonials [2017]

Participant’sTESTIMONIALSWhat did I get out of the Play Forward Exchange Project?

YOU CAN ONLY BE This exchange was the first real opportunityA TRUE WINNER IF I have had to challenge myself in anEVERYONE WINS international environment. I will forever Play Forward 2017 | Survey Results remember it as a meaningful experience, in which I could feel stronger than in every other moment of my life, the importance and the beauty of being active. Play Forward Exchange gave me the awareness of which a big dream European Union is, and encouraged me to contribute to its realization Angela Italy / Play Forward

Play Forward gave me the chance to experience BE A TEAM PLAYER!new sports, games and activities, pushing myselfout of my comfort zone to grow and tostrengthen both body and mind.It helped me see how sports can be a reflectionof life, or at least how life and coexistence shouldlook like; a game with no winners or losers, aplace to learn together, a time to play together, achance to change the rules and a chance toimprove everyday, becoming the best version ofourselves, helping others and with the support ofothers.EllieCzech Republic / Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results

Play Forward was 10 days ride from exploring each other to love each other. We were strongly connected as a group and I think that it was amazing experience for the most of us. I felt safe, happy and active most of the time. Overall, I had great time in the Netherlands. Marie Czech Republic / Play Forward... IT WAS JUSTLIKE A HEAVEN.Play Forward 2017 | Survey Results

People, new ways to organize activities and LOVING YOURSELFteam working. I also learned that reflecting about DOES NOT MAKE YOUwhat we have done and to share it with other ARROGANTpeople makes us more aware about what wehave done and how we can take advantage ofany activity that we do.AsierSpain/ Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results

…WAVE OF ENDLESS All the time that I have spent in Olde Vechte brought toINSPIRATION AND me many unforgettable moments! I do not know thisSELF AWARENESS special ingredients what creates such a power at thisVIBES... spot...maybe it is mix of beautiful environment, calm town, professional attitude and amazing people. Play Forward 2017 | Survey Results I felt so much close to my inner self during the project, I could really realize what I am doing and why I am doing it. I felt very much useful and happy. :) After my three years in the youth work, I'm truly convinced that one of the place which provides youth projects with the highest quality is Olde Vechte and for me, as a kind of youth worker, it is huge inspiration which also creates sense of responsibility in my own work. And for this, I'm very much grateful, thank you. Jana Czech Republic / Play Forward

There are moments when you think you can’t do it. Youthink, and you overthink, a million times about it, and you’renot able to see the way. And what happens when you try torelax, and just flow with the water? You grow a little, so youcan take one (or more) step forward. Then you PlayForward, for real.That’s what I got out from this Exchange. I had the feelingthat we could do everything, that there were no limits for ourimagination, our creativity, our fun, our love… I feltembraced by 30 more people who helped me and gave methe strength to overcome those moments when I thought“there is no way this is going to work”, so I could say “Ok,let’s make it work, and do something beautiful with it”.So I can’t help smiling when I remember our rafts floating inthe river, our CrossFit exercises, our fun designed gamesand dynamics, our promotional videos, our bike trip… Butnot only that, also our meaningful talks, our cleaningmeditation or simply, stay awake in the night. Because we allplayed it forward and made it work.JorgeSpain / Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results

NEVER STOP, I can ride a bike for more km than INEVER GIVE UP! thought, I can help in buildingPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results something that can actually float on a river, I can jump more than 50 cm and I can be extremely happy under the Dutch rain. Francesca Italy / Play Forward

This project gave me many insights on things I have been reflecting orworking on for a while. I had the chance to facilitate many activitiesand to get feedback from participants and facilitators on it which wasvery useful to refine and modify what I do to make it better.I found the facilitator very skilled in particular in the use of languageand of reframing in order to create a safe environment for learning.That was of great inspiration and something I am still reflecting on.I had the chance to get some pieces and bites from many peoplebecause the knowledge sharing was highly encouraged. That's how Igot some information and experience about non-violentcommunication, sports like yoga and swimming or new activities andprocesses like cross fit, watsu, water polo and more.Moreover the people I met there were very open in sharing materials,like books and articles where I can come back to when I want and usea bit of formal learning. It was also very useful to facilitate groupreflections and to see how the people of my group where changingand how this change was affecting my change.It was amazing to be in such a great team where I met and workedwith people I hope to work again in the future.GiovanniItaly / Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results

One of the best experiences of my life, with inspiring people and atmosphere. Play Forward gave me a lot of self-consciousness and awareness, refreshing my ideas and gifting me a lot of happiness. Fabio Italy / Play ForwardINSPIRING PLACE,ATMOSPHERE, ACTIVITIESAND PEOPLE!

Peace ,friendships ,new knowledge about UNDISCOVEREDhuman rights and how they are related with POWER OF SPORTsport. How sport can be used to get betterconnection between people no matter oftheir differences.NikolaiBulgaria/ Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results

This experience has been very important to me AN ADVENTURE THAT WEbecause I have learned many things. Also, I have SHOULD ALL EXPERIENCEmet wonderful people. Although for the languageissue I have not been able to know my AT LEAST ONCE IN LIFE.colleagues better, they showed me with my actsthat they are very good people and funny. 12It has been a new and enriching experience, ofwhich I have a good memory.I would like in the future to repeat thisexperience.Ana CristinaSpain / Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results

A GOOD OPORTUNITY One of the most important things that will help meTO GIVE, RECEIVE AND is team work with people from different countries.GAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE. Also how to plan and organize an event, but also to teach a group on a given theme. I took enough Play Forward 2017 | Survey Results of the Human Rights to be able to pass on my knowledge about them not only theoretically but also practically related to sport. Valeria Bulgaria / Play Forward

I really enjoyed the whole organization and the atmosphere, It was really fun. I gained new skills to become a better leader! Ralfs Latvia / Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results

Wonderful experience to go beyond the bodies and the physical activity to work with human rights. Elena Maria Spain / Play ForwardPlay Forward 2017 | Survey Results