Every year on 14 November, the world marks World Diabetes Day a moment to raise awareness, share knowledge and challenge stigma around diabetes.

For children and young people living with Type 1 diabetes, sport can be a source of motivation and joy but also fear and uncertainty.
Managing blood glucose while staying active isn’t easy, and no young athlete should be left to figure it out alone.

That’s why the DiaPS project exists to ensure that every child can enjoy sport safely, confidently and with full support.

Why Sport Matters

Physical activity plays an important role in diabetes management. It helps stabilise glucose levels, improves mental health and builds resilience.
Yet many young people still hear:
“Maybe you should slow down,” or “Sport might be too risky for you.”

DiaPS was created to change that, so no child feels excluded, no parent feels lost, and no coach feels unprepared.

How We Help

The DiaPS project develops practical, accessible educational tools for:

• athletes and their families
• coaches and PE teachers
• schools and sports clubs

Our approach focuses on:

• clear guidance on managing diabetes before, during and after sport
• confidence-building support for coaches
• real-life stories from young athletes with diabetes
• educational materials adapted to everyday sport settings

The Sports & Diabetes Guidebook

The “Sports & Diabetes Guidebook”, developed through the DiaPS project, has already helped hundreds of athletes, parents and coaches across Europe.
It offers hands-on advice, tested strategies and peer stories to support young athletes with diabetes.

👉 Download the guidebook here:
https://sportsanddiabetes.eu/outputs/the-publication/

A new digital platform is also coming soon — created to make it easier to share experiences, ask questions, and connect with others involved in sport and diabetes.

A Future with Fewer Barriers

This World Diabetes Day, we celebrate the strength, resilience and determination of young athletes living with diabetes.
Their stories inspire us to keep building a future where sport is safer, more inclusive and open to all.

Diabetes should never mean stepping off the field.
And with the right tools and support, that future is already within reach.