Club Atlético Osasuna continues to be a place for inclusion and diversity as it offers employment opportunities to the ID collective (people with intellectual disabilities). Last year, the entity decided to move forward with its integration initiative by incorporating four workers from this collective, two of them as club employees and two others through a collaboration with Aspace Navarra. One of them is Rubén Flores, an Osasuna Genuine player who works at the reception at El Sadar.

"Having the club take a bet on me makes me proud. When this job offer came up, I was in another company and signed up to see if there was any luck. After a couple of months, I was offered the position, and now I'm not only a fan but also part of the club," says Flores. His partner at the stadium reception desk is Josué Intriago, with whom he works in shifts. Similarly, Sergio Torres and Fernando González, the latter a former Osasuna Genuine player, are in charge of controlling access to the Tajonar facilities.

"Previously, these tasks were carried out by security personnel, but after evaluating the functions of the position, we understood that it was not necessary to have experience in this area to manage the reception of El Sadar or the access to Tajonar. We are delighted with the work of these four colleagues. The feedback we receive from our employees, members and visitors is also very positive. If, in addition to this, we can promote the labor insertion of people with disabilities, we are doubly satisfied," explains the president of Osasuna, Luis Sabalza.

The initiative by the rojillo entity has found Aspace Navarra an ally. The director of its Noáin center, David Usar, explains what working in Osasuna brings to these young people: "It is a way of giving visibility to the abilities of the people in ID collective. Going to the service sector was a strategic move because we believe it is a job that allows integration more naturally. These emerging opportunities create a 'career plan' within Aspace that helps them improve their work life. In addition, they can feel part of an entity such as Osasuna, which Is a reference in Navarre."

Osasuna Genuine, a driving force for integration

Osasuna also offers people from the ID collective job opportunities and ways to practice the sport they love. The Navarrese entity was one of the founders of LaLiga Genuine, a competition that has been running since the 2017-18 season in which people with intellectual disabilities participate and make up their section within the professional clubs of Spanish football.

Before working at Osasuna, Flores played in an Aspace soccer league. After learning of his love of the sport, the club offered him a place on its Genuine team. "I started with the team in September. I've been an Osasuna fan from a young age. I have always been a fan, and I wanted to have the opportunity to be in Osasuna or have some link with Osasuna. I am thrilled because it is an extra motivation for me," says the 26-year-old midfielder. "My teammates welcomed me very well from the first day. The relationship with them is perfect. Although sometimes I am a little shy, in the sense that I find it difficult to open up, they have a lot to improve on in that area."

However, Osasuna's socio-sports project and foundation go far beyond the Genuine team. The squad of this team is integrated with some of the players who participate in the program 'Yo juego en Osasuna' (I play in Osasuna). This program has more than 90 boys and girls participating in an adapted soccer school with sites in Tajonar, the El Molino Occupational Center, the Isterria Special Education School, and the Torre Monreal Public Special Education Center in Tudela. "With this project, we want these young people to improve their conditions since football can be a wonderful tool. Of course, playing sports will help them have a healthier life, but they will also acquire autonomy and get to know teammates and coaches with whom they will forge very nice relationships," Sabalza added.