A special One Team Global Ambassador Award has been given to veteran Kyle Hines of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan during the EuroLeague ELPA Players Representatives Meeting on Monday at league headquarters in Barcelona.

Ever since he first became involved with One Team back in 2012, the inaugural year of Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program, Hines has displayed all the qualities that align with the One Team pedagogy. His involvement and dedication to One Team have been comprehensive, as Hines has promoted the program's values and inspired young people both locally and across the continent in his role as Global Ambassador.

The 2021-22 season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup marked the 10th anniversary for One Team, and the special award for Hines coincided with the EuroLeague Players' Sustainability Session on Tuesday. The focus of the session was how players can be relevant voices in support of sustainability. During this discussion, player representatives from all 18 EuroLeague teams learned about Euroleague Basketball's sustainability plan, the ways in which they can act as sustainability advocates, and how Adidas and other Euroleague Basketball partners are aiding the efforts of the league in working towards its sustainability goals.

Hines first became a One Team Ambassador for Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2012 season and was then named the One Team Global Ambassador in December 2013. Since leaving Olympiacos in 2013, Hines continued his One Team responsibilities while playing for CSKA Moscow and Milan, performing the duties of the One Team Club Ambassador or the One Team Global Ambassador. He also won four EuroLeague titles during his playing career and is one of just three players ever to become champion more than once with each of two different teams.

"I talk to all the guys on our team or other teams about the importance of One Team and having an impact within their communities, what it means not only to the players, but also to the people that are involved and the example that it shows," Hines said after receiving the award.

"To see the organization, the initiative, the mission continue to grow year after year has been incredible. For me, One Team is my favorite part of the year. I mean, obviously, I'm a basketball player and I love doing all the things on the court. But off the court, to see how much of an impact One Team is continuing to have throughout the communities, throughout all of Europe, it is definitely something special."

Hines has not only had a positive impact on the communities where he has played but has also taken part in events organized by Euroleague Basketball on a continent-wide basis. Over the years, he has regularly been present for the One Team Games celebrations, in addition to the One Team events that take place during each season's EuroLeague Final Four, for which he qualified as a player nine times consecutively, a record.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of "community integration" that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities, among others. Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has reached already, directly and indirectly, more than 24,000 participants through its various team projects.

Hines honored with special One Team Global Ambassador Award

The workshop began on Tuesday with an introduction for new One Team managers and coaches from Euroleague Basketball representatives Vita Petrauskaite and Marcel Maneja, who explained the importance of One Team's impact on more than 24,000 underprivileged and at-risk participants to date.

Next, guest experts from the international social responsibility organization Fútbol Más stressed the importance of focusing on development through sport, rather than using sport as a competitive tool, to keep social inclusion as the focus. Using a series of games, Alfonso Cevallos, Claire Seang and Seppe Verbist outlined Fútbol Más's pedagogy and how the teams can mirror something similar.

Later on Tuesday, the workshop participants moved to a local gym for a team-building session run by thinkBeyond's Radha Balani before Eleanor Lee from Goal Click provided tips on creating compelling digital media content, asking the club representatives to contribute short clips for an Instagram reel. On Wednesday, she returned to use those clips to train the clubs in how to use the best tools available to show on social media exactly how the One Team program is implemented and its far-reaching impact.

The workshop was also attended by representatives from Turkish Airlines, One Team's Founding Patron; Special Olympics, the program's long-time Proud Partner; and One Team supporting brands BKT and Adidas.

Among the speakers at the gym was former champion David Rivers, a Euroleague Basketball Ambassador, who said: "You are going to be the focus, you are going to be the spark of bringing these tools, this platform, to your organization, which should impact your community. If you think about the significance of that... I enjoy doing this more than any championship I've ever won."

The first day closed with the six One Team Awards nominees – [Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/baba-flourishes-with-baskonia-and-one-team/), [Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/juliette-hits-new-heights-with-bourg-and-one-team), [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/cem-gains-confidence-with-one-team-and-fenerbahce), [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/one-team-and-olympiacos-let-kay-flourish/), [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/ruta-develops-confidence-with-zalgiris-and-one-team/), and [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/milan-teaches-persistence-through-one-team/) – sharing advice and the secrets of their success with the larger group.

Wednesday's workshop sessions opened with Euroleague Basketball's Abigail Martin and Turkish Airlines representative Emel Sonbahar looking at the current status of the One Team program and detailing its opportunities for growth moving forward. Next, the work that One Team does to support brands, communities and individuals was discussed by Salvador Periago, Judith Plaza Gascon and Sheyla Mohammad Molina from La Rotllana, while Duna Pigrau introduced the sustainability purpose that Basquet Girona has embedded at the core of its business.

The ensuing talks addressed the problems that displaced people face, with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative Edelmira Campos Nuñez explaining how the agency created a sports network to help protect refugees and a support system for young women, in particular. Ramon Garriga, of the Barça Foundation, and Lucy Mills, formerly of the Barça Foundation, stressed the importance of a needs assessment when first meeting migrants and refugees and others experiencing turmoil in their lives.

Next, the clubs heard the emotional story of Fereshtah Rafat, a women's rights activist and journalist who visibly moved the audience with the tale of her journey from Afghanistan to Spain after the Taliban's return to power in her homeland.

"I came here with my handbag and my documents, and some basic things," Mrs. Rafat said.

"After two months, one social worker told me that there is a chance to play football specific for women in Barcelona... Sport really does change lives. Football, like every other sport, can change the situation for a refugee, as it includes them in the community and can help them forget about lots of problems that they have."

Following her emotional speech and the day's earlier powerful messages, it was back to the gym, where the Fútbol Más trio held a series of sessions, exercises and games over three hours to demonstrate how to get program participants warmed up and engaged in One Team sessions. 

Last but not least, the [One Team Awards for the 2021-22 season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/olympiacos-repeats-as-one-team-gold-program-honoree/) were announced. First, the One Team Ambassador Award was given to Olympiacos forward Kostas Papanikolaou for his stellar work in the community. Next, Milan took the Judges Award for Community Development after the team's impressive work in supporting disadvantaged groups in and around the city. To close the event, the One Team Gold, Silver and Bronze Program awards were revealed. Baskonia secured the bronze prize, Fenerbahce took silver, and [Olympiacos Piraeus won its second One Team Gold Program award in a row](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/news/olympiacos-repeats-as-one-team-gold-program-honoree/).

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed in One Team a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under a theme of "community integration" that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

The 12th One Team Annual Workshop took place near Barcelona last week, allowing Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup clubs to meet in person again to learn even more about the program and how best to implement its methodology during the 2022-23 season.

One Team Annual Workshop celebrates 12th edition

The 2021-22 winners of the One Team Awards were announced during the 12th One Team Annual Workshop in Castelldefels, Barcelona, on July 14. For the second year in a row, Olympiacos Piraeus won the One Team Gold Program award. The One Team Silver Program prize went to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and the One Team Bronze Program trophy was won by Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Additionally, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was recognized with the Judges' Award for Community Development, while Olympiacos forward Kostas Papanikolaou took home the Best One Team Ambassador distinction.

The One Team program celebrated its 10th anniversary during the 2021-22 season. Ever since its founding in 2012, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program has been able to count on the support of Turkish Airlines and its long-term partnership with Special Olympics, as the clubs in Europe's two most prestigious basketball club competitions use the power of basketball to make a difference in their local communities.

Many Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup teams made strong improvements to their social responsibility programs last season, even though the COVID-19 pandemic made this more difficult due to the restrictions still in place in some countries.

"Once again, we are beyond proud of how so many EuroLeague and EuroCup clubs overcame adversity to deliver important, positive One Team experiences to their participants last season," Roser Queralto, Euroleague Basketball's Chief Business Development Officer, said. "The return to in-person sessions was clearly beneficial to everyone involved, and you only have to see the smiles on the faces of the participants to know that. We wish to congratulate all the award winners for going the extra distance to make their programs as special as they were and to assure that One Team enters into its second decade with even greater ambitions to help more and more people in our communities."

Olympiacos used the values of basketball in its One Team program with the 1st Elementary School of Agios Dimitrios, as it provided assistance for 20 children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of nine and 13 from the region of Athens. The club also had a program that provided expert support and care to adults, minors or adolescents who have spent time in closed child-protection institutions.

Penelope Giovanovits, One Team Manager from Olympiacos Piraeus, said: "We at Olympiacos cannot believe that we have won this award for the second year in a row. One Team is a big family that unites people and clubs, as it creates projects every year that improve lives. We are excited being part of this and thankful for the award. We would also like to congratulate our forward, Kostas Papanikolaou, for winning the Best One Team Ambassador award."

The One Team program implemented by Fenerbahce saw it join forces with club partner Beko to assist students who come from low-income families at the public TEB Atasehir Anatolian High School. These 15 children, aged between 14 and 16, had weekly sessions with Fenerbahce youth-team coaches and experts from Beko to aid them in their development.

Mert Ahmet Gunduz, One Team Manager from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, said: "One Team was one of Fenerbahce's main focuses since the beginning of the season, and every single member of the Fenerbahce staff – at all levels of the club – worked very hard to help towards winning this award. Thanks to the support of our social partners, we did a great job in these eight months."

Baskonia once again partnered with the Gizarterako Association as part of its One Team program, which focused on social integration in the region of Vitoria-Gasteiz. The club's 5+11 Foundation implemented the One Team methodology to emphasize healthy lifestyles, respect, teamwork and tolerance with local girls and boys.

Dorleta de la Presa, One Team Manager from Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, said: "We want to say thank you to the Euroleague for creating a program like One Team, and for the support they give us every season. For us, the prize is having these families and children with us year after year. "

Recognized for excelling in community development last season, Milan joined forces with Laureus Sport for Good Italia Onlus to support children aged between 12 and 13 from Instituto Comprensivo Arcadia – Milan. This included focusing on life skills and the importance of 'team' and 'community', with 100 children in five classes taking part over a 12-week period.

Michele Samaden, One Team Manager for AX Armani Exchange Milan, said: "It's an honor for us to receive this award. For us, the most important thing about One Team is that it gives us the opportunity every year to grow as people. This allows us to bring positive change to all the people who participate in our project."

The ambassador award won by Papanikolaou pays tribute to the excellent work conducted by players across the competitions in supporting their local communities by engaging actively in One Team.

In addition to the winners, the other teams shortlisted for the One Team Program Awards were Mincidelici JL Bourg En Bresse and Zalgiris Kaunas.

The awards were given out with support from Turkish Airlines representative Emel Sonbahar and Euroleague Basketball Ambassador David Rivers on the second day of the One Team Annual Workshop as clubs learned from their peers and outside expert speakers about ways to continue making further enhancements to the program in order to strengthen the positive impact on the participants.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of "community integration" that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities, among others.

Olympiacos repeats as One Team Gold Program honoree

Cem gains confidence with One Team and Fenerbahce

*Ahead of the annual One Team Awards, which will be presented during the program's annual workshop in mid-September, we are telling a short success story about each of the six shortlisted clubs. Today we feature Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.*

Cem Baser, born in 2005, is an inclusion student with Down Syndrome. Passion lies at the heart of everything Cem does: he is energetic, sociable and cheerful.

Cem is also a big fan of basketball and has always attended local games with his dad. So, when he joined the One Team program, he was hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Fenerbahce Beko’s Istanbul players he enjoyed watching on the court at Ulker Sports and Event Hall.

Down Syndrome is a condition that creates a lack of understanding, communication and motor skills in individuals. And at the beginning of the program, Cem was a shy boy who was not very comfortable with teamwork and communication.

However, he worked with great devotion for eight weeks on the core life skills of the program, including communication, motivation and team-building. Hakan Soylu, Fenerbahce's One Team Coach, was very impressed with his progress, saying: "Cem is a super-talented kid. He was so open to learning every small detail. His communication, motivation, friendship, relationships and teamwork skills are on a much higher level right now."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">2021-22 Fenerbahçe Beko EuroLeague One Team programımızın değerli katılımcılarından Cem Başer&#39;in hikayesi şimdi sizlerle 🤗💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a><a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Beko?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Beko</a> <a href="https://t.co/30Xqt4wl0x">pic.twitter.com/30Xqt4wl0x</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1567833120132534272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

The program has raised awareness of Down Syndrome and, on an individual level, broken down many of the barriers that exist for people with this disability. It has also shown there are no obstacles to dreams, as Cem's joy at participating in One Team and being close to Fenerbahce shows.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of "community integration" that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

*Ahead of the annual One Team Awards, which will be presented during the program's annual workshop in mid-September, we are telling a short success story about each of the six shortlisted clubs. Here is a tale from Zalgiris Kaunas.*

Ruta has always been passionate about sports – especially going for walks and playing table tennis and basketball. However, her lack of confidence and anxiety in social situations meant that she was generally forced to enjoy these activities alone.

At the start of the Zalgiris One Team sessions, those difficulties kept Ruta from engaging with any of her teammates. She avoided social interaction and was anxious when people communicated with her.

The club's One Team coaches recognized how her anxiety and lack of communication were preventing her from progressing in the sport and as an individual. Therefore, the coaches encouraged her to get involved in the games, socialize with her teammates, and become courageous. She gradually began to develop her resilience, not shying away from a challenge or failure in a drill, and started to engage with her teammates.

Ruta now dreams of becoming a professional basketball player and representing Lithuania. Thanks to One Team, these dreams may become a reality. Even more important, she is now a self-confident young girl with the ability to start conversations and make new friends, meeting new people with an open heart and a wide smile.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration' that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Ruta develops confidence with Zalgiris and One Team

One Team and Olympiacos let Kay flourish

*The annual One Team Awards will be presented during September’s Annual Workshop, and between now and then we will be telling a short success story from each of the six shortlisted clubs. Here it’s the turn of Olympiacos Piraeus.*

Kay is a 13-year-old boy who has been hosted in an institution for the last eight years. This rejection and abandonment has left him lacking in confidence and often meant he resorted to using violence and aggression to express his frustrations.

Before joining the Olympiacos One Team program, he lacked focus and was generally bored and disruptive in group activities. One Team has changed this. The organized program has provided Kay with a much-needed structure, and basketball has boosted his enthusiasm as well as allowing him to form lifelong friendships.

Kay is now a motivated, positive and calm young boy who aspires to play basketball and become a new Antetokounmpo. He can share his compassion and love with others, including his roommates, and is now able to understand the importance of accepting people’s differences. He has become a key part of the One Team program, sharing his enthusiasm for the sport with those around him and helping those who struggle with new skills.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Juliette hits new heights with Bourg and One Team

*The annual One Team Awards will be presented during September’s Annual Workshop, and between now and then we will be telling a short success story from each of the six shortlisted clubs. Today we feature Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse.*

Juliette is a 14-year-old who was born deaf. Alongside this disability, she also suffers vestibular disorders which impact her energy and limit her coordination, along with a persecution complex that makes her feel as though the world is against her.

Joining Bourg’s One Team program was therefore a huge challenge for Juliette – she felt judged, isolated and often misunderstood. Her physical inabilities meant that even the most basic of drills required immense concentration and exertion. Before starting the program, Juliette could not even catch a ball, but she spent her evenings learning to do so by catching balloons.

With the help of her coaches, Juliette was able to learn that overcoming her fears and her difficulties could bring very beautiful things. Although her natural tendency was to be scared of teamwork, feeling out of place and left out, the One Team group showed her that they accepted her and that they would support her.

Juliette is a role model to all, proving that no obstacle is too great to overcome. She never gave up and persevered with a smile on her face. She wowed her teammates and coaches with her tenacity, encouraging them to keep on pushing her to set new goals and celebrating her achievements along the way.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Baba flourishes with Baskonia and One Team

*The annual One Team Awards will be presented during the September’s Annual Workshop, and between now and then we will be telling a short success story from each of the six shortlisted clubs. Today we feature Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.*

Baba is an 8-year-old boy who joined Baskonia’s One Team program last season. His home life was very unstable, resulting in several home and school changes that negatively impacted his personal life, affecting his confidence and delaying his development. But the One Team sessions with Baskonia provided Baba with a safe environment and an opportunity to make new friends, as well as giving him the chance to take part in something constant and reliable – unlike his unstable home life.

At first, Baba struggled in the sessions. His size and height affected his coordination, making him angry and frustrated at his inability to perform like the rest of the children. He was often reserved and upset, lowering his head and avoiding interaction with his teammates.

However, with the guidance and support of the Baskonia One Team coaches he began to improve his coordination and embrace his height. This boosted his confidence and happiness, allowing him to start to engage and make friends within his team. And by the end of the program, Baba was leaving every session with a big smile on his face.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

*The annual One Team Awards will be presented during the September’s Annual Workshop, and between now and then we will be telling a short success story from each of the six shortlisted clubs. We begin today with AX Armani Exchange Milan.*

One Team teaches its participants that every day we can learn something new that will provide us with the tools to confront future challenges both on the basketball court and in real life. There is always something to learn, no matter how old or how talented you are, and the art of training is one we must all learn.

When Marco first joined Milan’s One Team program, he was not used to following the demands of practice. He did not like being instructed what to do, being told no, or being given strict guidelines to follow. Every mistake made him very angry, every difficulty was followed by a cry and an escape to the garden.

Marco was enthralled with basketball, the sound of the swish of a basket; yet he was so frustrated by the effort it required to be successful. However, with the support and dedication of his coach, Marco began to push past his fears, test his limits and find that equilibrium between frustration and satisfaction.

The One Team program gave Marco direction and structure. It boosted his resilience and developed his determination. Finding a coach who was constantly supportive, challenging and driving him to greater achievements was the very making of Marco, who has now also transferred the skills he learned from basketball into his everyday life, knowing that he can push past failure and keep on trying.

Milan’s One Team coach Marilisa Zanini said: “If you are able to make a basket after a thousand attempts, then there are no goals that you will not be able to achieve with commitment and dedication, which will make you arrive before the others.”

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.