FLAIR - improving access to sport for children with disabilities
Project
During the Johan Cruyff Foundation’s annual Open Day, nearly 1,300 children, both with and without disabilities, come together at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. There, they discover and try out more than 25 sports, such as wheelchair basketball, powerchair football, athletics and tennis. As part of the FLAIR project, researchers are conducting impact assessments to measure the effect of this Open Day.
The Johan Cruyff Foundation supports and develops impactful sport and play projects worldwide. The foundation wishes to gain insight into the effectiveness and impact of its annual Open Day. Monitoring helps to improve the programme. It also supports accountability towards partners, such as Erasmus+ and other collaborative partners.
Through the FLAIR project, we are helping the Johan Cruyff Foundation understand how to make its Open Days more effective. In this way, they encourage children with disabilities to be more active and take part in sport.
Martin Breedijk
Researcher
Objective
The objective of this research is to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of the Johan Cruyff Foundation’s annual Open Day. The results will help to strengthen social engagement and impact.
Method
Researchers will carry out impact assessments during the Open Day in 2025 and 2026. In addition, they will develop a Theory of Action for the programme.
Expected results/outputs
A Theory of Action for the Open Day and qualitative and quantitative monitoring tools.
Social impact
This research will provide the Johan Cruyff Foundation with greater insight into how Open Days increase sports participation among the target group. It will also highlight which improvements can further enhance the impact of Open Days.
Contribution to education and research
The project strengthens the collaboration between research and social practice. Sport Studies Students on the Bachelor’s programme Sportkunde and researchers at the AUAS learn to apply impact evaluations in a practical setting and contribute to inclusive sports and social policy.
Project team AUAS
- Jan-Willem van der Roest
- Martin Breedijk
Grant provider / external partner
- Johan Cruyff Foundation
Sport Management & Sport Business research group
This project is part of the Sport Management & Sport Business research group. Want to know more?