Sport: Adaptive multi-sport
Country: United Kingdom
Country: United Kingdom
Game changers:
Meet the finalists of the 2025 Unity Awards
For every athlete who crosses the finish line, lifts a trophy or scores the winning goal, there are dozens of people behind the scenes. They tape the ankles, drive to practice, calm nerves, cheer from the sidelines and offer quiet encouragement when it’s needed most.
These often-unsung figures – coaches, teammates, volunteers and parents – form the heartbeat of community sports. Their work may not be glamorous, but its impact runs deep. They use sport to build skills and character and to connect people across cultures, generations, backgrounds and beliefs.
That spirit is precisely what the Unity Awards honors. An initiative of Allianz’s broader Power of Unity program, the awards recognize everyday heroes who use sport as a catalyst for change, empathy and belonging. Whether they’re challenging inequality, confronting discrimination or simply ensuring every child feels welcome on the field, these individuals see sport as more than a game – they see it as a path for social progress.
Local sports clubs around the globe submitted powerful stories of inclusion, resilience and unity to the award. From lifelong volunteers and grassroots coaches to inspiring parents and young leaders, the nominations reflected a shared belief: that sport can bring us together in ways few other things can.
From quiet impacts to bold acts
Award winners will receive financial support through Allianz’s MoveNow Fund to help grow their impact. Here are the eleven individuals and clubs whose efforts stood out – meet this year’s Unity Awards finalists.
Finalist 1
Anel van der Merwe
Anel is the founder and vice chair of trustees at F6IT, a grassroots, family-centered charity in Surrey that offers inclusive and accessible sports programs for children with disabilities, their siblings and friends. Driven by the belief that every child deserves a place in sport, Anel has spent the past seven years building an inclusive, joyful, and supportive environment that supports families throughout the region to participate in sports such as boccia, wheelchair multi-sport, family swim and frame football, all delivered by a dedicated team of volunteers.
Finalist 2
Rosa Sanchez
Sport: Football
Country: Spain
Country: Spain
Rosa leads community football programs at CD Sportcab Marbella, using sport to support immigrant youth as they adjust to life in Spain. Many of her players arrive without speaking the language or knowing anyone. On the pitch, Rosa creates a safe and respectful space where players build confidence, learn Spanish and form lasting connections. Rosa is also a strong role model for gender equality, inspiring young girls in the community to participate and lead.
Finalist 3
Hans Stanggassinger
Sport: Luge
Country: Germany
Country: Germany
Hans ‘Stang’ Stanggassinger is a former luge racer, Olympic champion and longtime volunteer leader at RC Berchtesgaden, where he serves as second chairperson. For decades, he has dedicated himself to developing young talent, fostering community spirit and keeping the sport of luge vibrant and accessible in the region. Under his guidance, the club has become renowned for its welcoming culture, creative youth initiatives and equal access to coaching for aspiring athletes. Hans is one of the unsung heroes who inspire the next generation by giving tirelessly to their sport.
Finalist 4
Lenine Cunha
Sport: Athletics
Country: Portugal
Country: Portugal
Lenine Cunha, one of the world’s most decorated Paralympians, is a member of the inclusive athletics academy at Clube de Futebol Oliveira do Douro, where athletes with and without disabilities train side by side. Through year-round coaching, mentorship and inclusive competitions, he’s breaking down barriers in both grassroots and elite sport. As a member of the IPC Athletes’ Council he is also a global advocate for inclusion and a hands-on mentor in his community.
Finalist 5
Türkiyemspor Berlin 1978
Sport: Football & Basketball
Country: Germany
Country: Germany
Founded by migrants in 1978, Türkiyemspor Berlin has grown into one of Europe’s largest community-rooted sports clubs of its kind. With 46 football teams and nine basketball teams, the club is a long-standing neighborhood institution, known not only for developing players – some of whom have gone on to represent national teams – but also for advancing inclusion, tolerance and social impact through sport. From pioneering women’s football and anti-discrimination initiatives to promoting refugee inclusion, Türkiyemspor is a model of how sport can strengthen communities.
Finalist 6
Bright Ideas for Tennis
Sport: Tennis
Country: United Kingdom
Country: United Kingdom
Bright Ideas for Tennis is a UK-based charity making tennis accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Through community-driven initiatives and partnerships with over 160 venues, they’ve introduced the sport to more than 30,000 participants – providing free, welcoming sessions that break down barriers to participation. From local club programs to record-breaking fundraising events, such as a 24-hour tennis marathon featuring a blind athlete, their impact is both grassroots and national.
Finalist 7
Dragons Wheelchair Rugby
Sport: Wheelchair Rugby
Country: United Kingdom (Wales)
Country: United Kingdom (Wales)
Dragons Wheelchair Rugby is a community-driven club based in Wales, offering inclusive training for people with spinal cord injuries and physical impairments. Their weekly sessions provide more than just sport – they create connection, confidence and a clear pathway from recovery to competition. The team competes nationally while ensuring that access to equipment, coaching and play remains affordable and inclusive. For many players, Dragons has transformed isolation into community – and sport into empowerment.
Finalist 8
BBU '01 Specials – Ratiopharm Ulm
Sport: Basketball
Country: Germany
Country: Germany
Founded in 2017, BBU '01 Specials is the first basketball team for people with intellectual disabilities in the Ulm/Neu-Ulm region. Supported by local partners and led by coach Jörg Rippel, the team trains weekly on OrangeCampus, offering teenagers a space to grow, connect and thrive through sport. More than just a training program, BBU '01 Specials fosters inclusion, team spirit and personal development, showing that everyone deserves a place on the court – and in the community.
Finalist 9
Lunga Vita Attiva –
Slow Swimming
Sport: Swimming
Country: Italy
Country: Italy
Led by Ariella Cuk and supported by Olympic swimmer Franco Del Campo, FIN Plus Trieste and Lunga Vita Attiva promote ‘slow swimming’ as a joyful, inclusive path to healthy aging. Their program welcomes over 160 participants aged 60 and above, encouraging physical activity, social connection and personal well-being in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Founded through an Erasmus+ Sport project and now fully self-sustaining, the initiative has grown into a vibrant community of over 1,000 people.
Finalist 10
FC Forstern – Alle am Ball
Sport: Football
Country: Germany
Country: Germany
Launched in 2023, Alle am Ball is FC Forstern’s inclusive football initiative encouraging players with and without disabilities to train and play together across all age groups. With 18 active players supported by trained coaches and volunteers, the program promotes equal participation, visibility and community connection – especially in rural areas where inclusive sports options are limited.
Finalist 11
Alhalimun – The Dreamers
Sport: Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Flying Disc and boxing
Country: Egypt
Country: Egypt
Based in Cairo, Alhalimun uses sports and mental health support to empower refugee and marginalized kids and youth. Founded by Sara Moamen Abdelsamie in 2024, the initiative creates safe and inclusive spaces where children and young people can play, heal and grow. Alhalimun project combines physical activity with trauma-informed coaching and leadership development, led by a diverse team – many with lived experience of displacement.
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Last updated: March 31, 2026
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