Queen Mary marks 10 years of a cause that remains close to her heart

Queen Mary is celebrating a meaningful milestone for a cause she has championed for years.

The Danish royal stepped out in Copenhagen on September 24 to mark the 10th anniversary of Antibulli, an initiative from the Mary Foundation focused on promoting well-being, inclusion and safe communities for young people through sports.

Mary, who serves as chair of the Mary Foundation, attended the special anniversary celebration at Østerbrohuset, where she traded royal formality for a decidedly casual look. 

Wearing an Antibulli T-shirt and glasses, the queen sat on the gym floor and took part in several of the program’s exercises alongside participants.

The initiative dates back to 2016, when the Mary Foundation and the organization now known as the Hej Foundation launched Antibulli Handball. 

© Martin Sylvest Andersen

What began in one sport has since expanded to seven. Handball, soccer, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, equestrian sports and badminton.

Antibulli provides coaches with free advice and practical exercises designed for athletes ages 6 to 12. The goal is to create team environments built around tolerance, respect and a sense of belonging, while helping prevent bullying and exclusion.

During Thursday’s celebration, Mary reflected on how seemingly small gestures can make a significant difference in creating those communities.

© Martin Sylvest Andersen

“It can sound simple,” she said in her speech, before pointing to actions such as saying hello, learning one another’s names, noticing when someone is standing alone and helping each other.

“But it IS important,” Mary continued. “Because when we feel safe, we dare more. We dare to try. And we dare to fail. It makes it more fun to participate and easier to learn something new.”

The milestone comes as new research commissioned by the Mary Foundation offers insight into the role friendships play in children’s activities.

© Emanuele Cremaschi

In a survey of 1,137 children in grades three through six, 83 percent said they would prefer to begin a recreational activity with someone they already know, while 75 percent said spending time with their friends was the most important part of participating.

According to the foundation, that dynamic can make finding a place within a new community more difficult for those who begin an activity without a friend.

Mary wasn’t alone in marking Antibulli’s anniversary. Around 80 participants representing the seven sports joined the celebration, along with Antibulli ambassadors and Danish sports figures Mikkel Hansen, Kasper Schmeichel and Frederik Løchte Nielsen.

© MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN

The queen participated in four Antibulli exercises before joining representatives from the participating sports organizations for a conversation about their experiences and the importance of positive sporting environments.

For Mary, the anniversary ultimately returned to the simple philosophy that has guided the initiative for the past decade.

“I hope that even more children and young people get the opportunity to experience recreational communities like yours,” she said. “Because, as we say in Antibulli: Togetherness always wins.”