András Rákos
András grew up in Hungary and Egypt. He began his career as a social worker, first working in an orphanage, then managing a refugee and homeless shelter in Budapest. It was here that he launched the Oltalom Sports Association with a team of eight homeless players, when he organized a squad to enter the Homeless World Cup in Cape Town. During the African championship, it became clear to him that football held a far greater motivating power than anything else he had encountered in his work up to that point. Since then, he has been a committed advocate of the method that uses sport to develop the social skills of people pushed to the margins of society.
András Szalay
He has been a senior staff member of the Association and its predecessor since 2018, and is also a member of the board. He works as a project and financial manager. His tasks include financial planning for new applications, preparing financial reports for domestic and international projects, monitoring payroll, and drafting employment contracts for new staff. He occasionally participates in international partner meetings, professional trainings, and key events of the Association. “This work can only be done effectively if one can identify with the social and political goals of the Association, which for me is very easy. Helping disadvantaged groups, especially young people, to be socially included is an uplifting feeling. I hope to continue preparing successful applications in the near future and to implement projects with both domestic and international cooperation.”
Dora Gottgeisl
After graduating from high school, I impulsively applied to study sociology. Following a few years of work both in Hungary and abroad, I enrolled in social work training, specializing in crisis and trauma management. The time spent there deepened my interest in the impact of disasters – whether caused by humans or nature – on individuals, and in the various therapeutic options that can help in processing them.
At Oltalom Sports Association, I primarily coordinate the organization’s domestic and international grant applications. In line with my interests, I am involved not only in management tasks but also in the professional implementation of projects and in the social support work provided to our players.
Tímea Turcsik
Social Worker
timea.turcsik@utcaifoci.hu
+36706438391
I graduated as a social pedagogue at PPKE in 2018, and from that year I have also been the team’s social worker. I completed my university internships in children’s homes and correctional institutions, where it quickly became clear that working with disadvantaged young people is my true calling. I believe that often even a conversation can have healing power, and the best place for that is next to a football pitch. In addition to maintaining contact with players, parents, and institutions, managing the Association’s social media platforms is also part of my daily work.
Frigyes Hegyi
Even in kindergarten my symbol was a ball, and football has remained one of my greatest passions ever since. Through football I built my most important friendships, gained lifelong experiences, and learned a great deal about myself and the world. I believe this sport can give at least as much to others as it has given to me. For the past nine years, I have been working with different organizations to strengthen local communities, develop individual social skills, and fight social divides through football. I have held training sessions and football tournaments in segregated Roma settlements, children’s homes, refugee centers, and correctional institutions. I have met many different players and many different problems in my work, but the ball was always round everywhere.
Gabriella Petróczi
Project Coordinator
gabriella.petroczi@utcaifoci.hu
I joined the Association at the beginning of 2021, though I had been following its activities before. As a sociologist, my interest extends to the integrative impact of sport and the arts. I am convinced that these two tools, through the results achieved in individual personality development, act as a retaining force against social dropout, support communication between social groups, and promote social cohesion. Within the Association, I participate in organizing, preparing, implementing, and reporting on projects and events, as well as in building and maintaining domestic and international relations.
Wágner András
Basketball Coach
Project Coordinator
andras.wagner@utcaifoci.hu
I joined the team from the for‑profit sector, bringing with me 10 years of experience in human resources and some practice as a basketball coach. Thanks to this background, I hold free basketball training sessions for children and young people on a weekly basis. In addition, I am actively involved in organizational development and youth‑focused projects. I am proud that through sport and international experience we have supported countless children and young people across the country, providing them with guidance in areas such as anxiety, addiction, and social integration.
Bertalan Ágnes
The association’s lawyer and legal representative.