“Celebrating what is possible” - F1® Allwyn Global Community Award supports children's inclusive sport in the Netherlands

The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort saw the fourth F1® Allwyn Global Community Award of 2026 go to Spieren voor Spieren (which translates to Muscles for Muscles in English), a foundation focused on helping children with neuromuscular diseases. The Dutch foundation’s mission is to give children with muscle disorders a stronger future. By investing in groundbreaking research and raising public awareness, Spieren voor Spieren aims to accelerate medical discoveries and ensure that these children have access to better care, therapy, and opportunities to lead fuller lives.

The €100,000 award will allow Spieren voor Spieren to put on a sports day in Amsterdam for children with muscular diseases to try new sports in a safe and fully accessible environment. Called Everything Upside Down the day will bring together children and their families to create a joyful day filled with fun, energy and inclusion. Above all, it celebrates what is possible.

Here, Aleš Veselý, CEO, Allwyn Czechia and F1® Allwyn Global Community Award judge reveals why Spieren voor Spieren was chosen, the importance of the Award and what being a judge for a second year means to him.

Why did you and your judging colleagues feel Spieren voor Spieren was such a worthy winner?

What impressed us most was that Spieren voor Spieren combines a clear social purpose with thoughtful delivery and tangible impact. Children living with muscular diseases often face barriers that many of us never have to think about. From inaccessible sports facilities to limited opportunities to take part alongside their peers. This project starts from a different place. It puts inclusion at the heart of the experience and creates a setting where children can feel confident, supported and able to enjoy sport on their own terms.

Tell us a bit about the Sports Day project they will deliver?

The Sports Day is designed to celebrate what children can do, rather than focusing on what might limit them. It gives children the chance to try new sports in a safe, accessible and encouraging environment, while also bringing families together to connect, share experiences and feel part of a wider community. For us, it was a powerful example of how a simple idea, delivered with professionalism and genuine care, can create memories and confidence that last well beyond the day itself.

I particularly liked how carefully the organisers have thought through the whole experience, from accessibility and professional event management to participant feedback and longer-term evaluation. It is designed not only to create joyful memories on the day, but also to encourage children to keep taking part in sport and physical activity in the future.

What does Spieren voor Spieren tell us about the power of inclusion in sport and community programmes?

It reminds us that inclusion is not only about removing barriers; it is about creating opportunities that make people feel welcome, capable and valued.

For children living with muscular diseases, participating in sport can build confidence, independence and social connections. At the same time, bringing together families, volunteers and local partners creates understanding and strengthens the wider community.

Projects like this show how sport can improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and help people discover abilities they may not have realised they had. That is exactly the kind of practical, human impact the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award is here to support.

This is the fourth Award of the 2026 season, with Allwyn increasing the number of Awards across Europe and the USA to seven. Why is this expansion so important to Allwyn?

One of the things I value most about this initiative is that it brings together the global reach of Formula 1 and meaningful local impact. Every race takes place in a community where organisations are doing extraordinary work, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. By expanding the Awards across more Grand Prix, we can celebrate more local heroes, support more impactful projects and inspire others to create positive change in their own communities. For Allwyn, creating opportunities is a core part of who we are, and this initiative brings that commitment to life in a very tangible way.

Allwyn’s global partnership with Formula 1 supports its ambition to help communities and good causes around the world. In your view, how can partnerships between businesses, charities and local communities create greater impact than any one organisation working alone?

No single organisation has all the answers. Charities understand the needs of the communities they serve. Businesses can provide funding, expertise and visibility. Local partners bring trusted relationships and practical knowledge. When those strengths come together, the impact can be greater, more relevant and more sustainable. Spieren voor Spieren is a great example of this in action, bringing together specialist sports providers, an accessible venue, volunteers and experienced professionals to deliver something no single organisation could achieve alone.

This is your second year as a judge. What has stood out to you this year, and what have been the main challenges and highlights?

Returning to the process has made the experience even more meaningful. It has been especially rewarding to see the outcomes from last year’s Awards, and how recognition and funding have helped winning organisations build momentum and extend their impact. The hardest part remains choosing just one winner, because all the finalists represented organisations making a genuine difference in their communities.

The highlight was once again seeing the passion, professionalism and creativity across the shortlisted organisations. These were projects driven not only by compassion, but also by clear objectives, measurable outcomes and a strong vision for long-term impact. That gave us real confidence that the funding would be used to make a meaningful difference.

Beyond the funding itself, what kind of long-term legacy do you hope these awards create in the communities they support?

The funding is only the beginning. I hope these Awards help organisations build momentum by increasing awareness, attracting new supporters and giving them the confidence to grow their impact even further. For Spieren voor Spieren, the project can encourage more children to stay active, help families build lasting support networks and show that inclusive sport should become the norm, not the exception. Ultimately, I hope these Awards inspire more organisations and communities to believe that positive change is possible, and that they can be part of making it happen.

What personal satisfaction do you gain from being part of the judging process for an initiative like this?

It has been a genuinely rewarding experience. I have always been passionate about supporting projects and people who dedicate their knowledge and energy to helping others. I am also a keen sportsman and a passionate sports fan, so it is especially meaningful for me to see the power of sport to bring people together, open doors and create moments of confidence, joy and belonging. In projects like this, sport becomes much more than physical activity; it becomes a way for children and families to feel included, supported and part of a wider community.

As judges, we have the opportunity to learn about inspiring organisations that are changing lives in very practical ways, and it is a privilege to help recognise their efforts. I am proud that, through our partnership with Formula 1, Allwyn can support organisations such as Spieren voor Spieren and help shine a light on the positive impact they are creating in communities around the world.