Becoming A Role Model

Anja Toplek, Croatia

We have teamed up with the adidas Breaking Barriers Project to tell the stories of six coaches and leaders from sports organisations across Europe - from Spain, Netherlands, Croatia, Serbia, and Italy. The project empowers women to undertake leadership training which helps to break the barriers that girls across Europe face, giving them easier access to sport. Anja Toplek is a coach with CCPA (Cross Cultures Project Association) in Zagreb, Croatia.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about how you got involved in sport?

My name is Anja Toplek, I was born and raised in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. Sport has been a part of me for my whole life. I started playing volleyball when I was 10, and step by step I reached professional sport. Since volleyball is not a valued sport in Croatia and you cannot make a living from it, I had to choose my priorities. So, after a few years of playing professionally, I decided to focus on finishing college and working.

I am still playing and coaching in the Croatian volleyball league. I do not have time for the Superliga anymore, but I wanted to keep playing. So, I decided to join OK Don Bosco, a younger team in the league below!

In 2020 my work colleague Aleksandra (she is also a volleyball referee) was looking for a coach with good English to join her at CCPA (Cross Cultures Project Association).

I joined CCPA and got an opportunity to become a part of the adidas Breaking Barriers Project for girls in Europe. As a Champion I get to implement sports projects and programs in my community to help spread sports, mostly with girls since they are less involved.

What has your sports journey been like up until now?

I always like to remember only the good sides of my journey. I started playing because I loved playing sports and being part of a team. I loved seeing progress, I loved travelling, I loved meeting new people through sport, I loved how sports friendships are something special and forever. There were barriers, of course, but it is easier to overcome them when you have a team :)

I started coaching in the first year of college when I was 18. I was a volleyball school coach, so I was teaching kids (6-10 years old) the basics of volleyball. I enjoyed it. A few years later, I wanted to try something else, but to stick with younger age groups, so I tried working in a kindergarten and I liked it even more! There I could teach all the sports - football, volleyball, handball, gymnastics. Because of Covid I stopped coaching there, but I hope to start something else soon.

What did you try to capture with your photos and was there any wider meaning? What do these images mean to you as a champion of the adidas Breaking Barriers Project?

The photos were taken in Zagreb, during our final event for the adidas Breaking Barriers Project. All the Champions from Europe (such as from Balon Mundial) came to my city and together we carried out one big successful event.

I tried to capture the moments and emotions. I am the type of person that likes to take photos of everything, but this time I was "forced" to choose. I was looking around and felt the moments that I wanted to capture. I loooved to see all the kids laughing and enjoying their sports day.

The Champions are also in some photos. You cannot even tell because of how much we enjoyed the day and how we merged with the group. I met so many colleagues and friends through this Project. It just makes my heart warm :)

Why is sport important for your community?

Every sport is important for every community. For health, for personality, for experience, for friendships. We wanted to involve girls a little more in - as everyone says – “men’s sports”. We wanted to break the barriers for girls, to show them they can do anything as well as the boys. We wanted to be role models for them, as women athletes and coaches.

What role does sport play in your community and Croatian society?

Our mission at CCPA is to bring people who are living in communities affected by conflicts and social divides together through sports. It has been a great experience and I love it.

Croatia is a sports country. We are a nation that likes to support our athletes, it makes us one. We unite through sports. Croatia has a lot of potential for developing sports communities, but it takes someone to start implementing projects to spread sports. I think the adidas Breaking Barriers Project is on the right path.

What are the opportunities for women and girls to play sports in your community and in Croatia?

The opportunities for women and girls in sport are modest. All the activities are made for boys or mixed groups. The girls in younger age groups usually do not feel comfortable to play sports with boys.

Some smaller cities do not even have a sports hall. Some kids have never even tried playing any sports. Minorities are often rejected in sports circles. Not everyone has the same opportunity, no matter what city they live in or if they can afford it. Much more money is being invested in men's sports.

What impact has the adidas Breaking Barriers Project had on your journey as a leader and change-maker? What are your ambitions?

The adidas Breaking Barriers Project has had a BIG impact. I got a chance to learn a lot through the webinars adidas organises. Then I got a chance to implement this knowledge through the project we organised and adidas covered all the costs – which made everything easier. It meant so much to me. I learned a lot, I experienced a lot, and I hope I passed on a lot of knowledge.

I like going step by step. Not looking forward so much. I am more than thankful I got this opportunity and I think I can only make something good of it.

What do you think the future looks like for sport in your community and country? What do you want to change? How would you improve gender equality?

I would like to see everyone equal one day. The same opportunities for everyone. Perhaps such an approach will keep girls in sports. It would take a lot of hard work, but I think girls are able to show they can "go big" and compete just as hard as boys.

Improvements should start with sports media coverage and promoting women’s sport, helping grow the audience. It would encourage families to go to watch women’s sports with their kids, which would also increase participation. It is most important to provide girls with equal opportunities to participate in sports, physical activity, and physical education.

To learn more about the adidas Breaking Barriers Project, visit: https://www.adidas.co.uk/breakingbarriers