About Common Ground
We are a non-profit association registered in Valencia, Spain, dedicated to social inclusion through sport and the support of international student-athletes through academic-athletic pathways.
Sport as a Vehicle for Education and Social Inclusion
Common Ground is a non-profit sports and cultural association based in Valencia, Spain. We were established with a clear social purpose: to ensure that young people from diverse backgrounds can pursue both athletic and academic ambitions without having to choose between them.
We believe sport—across Football, Basketball, Tennis, and emerging disciplines—is a powerful vehicle for personal development, social cohesion, and educational engagement. Our work brings together student-athletes, universities, sports institutions, and cultural organizations around a shared commitment to inclusion, cooperation, and long-term opportunity.
Our Values
Social Inclusion
We are committed to removing barriers to participation — economic, linguistic, cultural, and logistical — so that sport and education are accessible to all.
Educational Cooperation
We work through formal cooperation agreements with universities and institutions, ensuring our pathways are academically recognised and institutionally supported.
Student-Athlete Welfare
The wellbeing of student-athletes is central to everything we do. We provide pastoral support, academic guidance, and community to help each person thrive.
Non-Profit Integrity
As a registered non-profit association, our resources are directed entirely toward programme delivery, community development, and the support of our student-athletes.
International Perspective
We welcome student-athletes from across the world, fostering a multicultural community united by a shared commitment to sport and learning.
Long-Term Development
We focus on the whole person — not just athletic performance — supporting student-athletes in building the skills, qualifications, and character for life beyond sport.
How the Academic-Athletic Pathway Works
Our programme is structured to allow full participation in both university study and high-performance sport. We coordinate with partner universities to ensure academic schedules accommodate training and competition, while our support team assists student-athletes with enrolment, accommodation, language support, and day-to-day integration into life in Valencia.
Application and Assessment
Student-athletes apply through our association. We assess both academic and athletic background to identify the most appropriate university and sport pathway.
University Enrolment
We support student-athletes through the university admissions process at our partner institutions in Valencia, including language preparation where needed.
Sport Integration
Student-athletes are integrated into training groups and competition structures in their chosen discipline — Football, Basketball, or Tennis — with schedules coordinated around academic commitments.
Ongoing Support
Throughout the programme, our team provides pastoral care, academic liaison, and community support to ensure every student-athlete can participate fully and progress confidently.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia is one of Europe's most dynamic cities for sport and education. Home to internationally recognised universities, a vibrant multicultural community, and world-class sporting infrastructure, it provides an ideal environment for student-athletes to develop academically and athletically. Common Ground is rooted in Valencia and committed to contributing to the city's culture of sport, inclusion, and international exchange.
Registered Non-Profit Association
Common Ground is registered in Valencia, Spain as an Asociación Deportiva y Cultural — a non-profit sports and cultural association under Spanish law. Our activities are governed by our statutes and overseen by our board of directors. We operate without commercial purpose; all resources are directed toward our social and educational mission.
Get Involved with Common Ground
Whether you are a student-athlete, a university, a sports institution, or a cultural organisation — we welcome enquiries from all those who share our commitment to sport, education, and social inclusion.