Special Olympics – Speakers at the 18th EFDN Conference
André Peeters, Bernard Schütze and Miroslaw Krogulec are all speaking on behalf of the Special Olympics during a breakout session at the 18th EFDN #morethanfootball conference in Budapest from the 14th-16th of November.
André Peeters is the Football Consultant with Special Olympics Europe Eurasia and the chair of the Global Football Committee of Special Olympics International. He graduated as teacher in Physical Education but worked his whole career in a center for people with intellectual disabilities, as a Team Manager. André first started his engagement with the Special Olympics movement in 1985, working voluntarily as chair of the Technical Committee of Special Olympics Belgium. Since 2003 het started working for the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia team as football Consultant/Advisor. Finally he was nominated in 2021 on behalf of Special Olympics international to serve as Global Sport Advisor for Football. Based in Belgium, he makes a contribution as football consultant in several matters of football development and football competitions at European and Global level.
Bernhard Schütze is the national coach for team sports at Special Olympics Germany, based in
Berlin. He is invested in the development and implementation of inclusive structures in Football, Handball, Basketball, Volleyball, Hockey and Floorball. In close partnership with
sports associations throughout the country he supports and consults professional sports
clubs to engage in the idea of a more open and inclusive society. Bernie earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Science and a master’s degree in Sport
Psychology. He utilizes his academic emphasis to further awareness regarding sport for
athletes with mental disabilities and mental health in sports.
Miroslaw (Mirek) Krogulec is the Senior Director for Sports with Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, supporting the movement throughout 58 nations across Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Miroslaw first started his engagement with the Special Olympics movement in 1996, working as Sports Manager for Special Olympics Poland. He then went on to join the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia team in 2001. Based in Warsaw, he is responsible for the development of the Sports department of Special Olympics across the region and he makes a substantial contribution towards the organisation of successful competitions, particularly the European and World Games.
The Special Olympics presentation will cover the importance of divisioning at Special Olympics events. The presentation explains the importance of:
- Encouraging players of all levels to play football
- All players to experience success and contribute to the success of the team.
- Organizing successful competitions for all teams
