More exercise for children

The city of Jena, Science City Jena and ALBA BERLIN are jointly founding SPORT VERNETZT Jena e.V. as a new sports club in the city. Following the official approval of the Jena City Council at its meeting yesterday, Tuesday, this vision is now being turned into reality.

The three partners involved are thus laying the foundations for a pioneering and Germany-wide unique lighthouse project in the promotion of physical activity. The aim of the organization is to get all 900 children in Jena's Winzerla district between the ages of three and ten moving early and sustainably - regardless of previous sporting experience, origin or social background. The basis for this is a step-by-step plan that will be applied from fall 2025 and, in the best-case scenario, extended to other social areas in Jena.

To this end, the association is developing regular, low-threshold exercise programs in many types of sport and, together with other existing clubs and local partners, is offering these at daycare centers and elementary school during the week, at weekends and during the vacations.

The next step is to found an association with the city of Jena as the local authority, ALBA's SPORT VERNETZT initiative and Baskets Jena GmbH as founding members. Other clubs, legal entities and private individuals can and should also become members. Sponsoring membership is also possible. The close cooperation between professional sport, the local authority and educational institutions is now creating a strong alliance in Jena that supports children from nursery and primary school age and promotes them holistically - with exercise, sport and social participation.

SPORT VERNETZT Jena is part of the nationwide initiative with which ALBA BERLIN and over 70 partner organizations across the country are working to get children excited about sport and exercise. Since 2021, SPORT VERNETZT has been getting over 60,000 children moving with around 2,400 regular exercise sessions. In Jena, the project has been set up and financed by Science City Jena over the past three years.

Voices

Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Lord Mayor of the City of Jena:

"I would like to thank Baskets Jena, ALBA BERLIN and Friederike Fischer as the initiators who have now prepared the project over three years. The fact that an exercise program is being created here for all children in a district is unique and creates sustainable access to sport. I am happy and grateful that the Jena City Council has approved the founding of the association and that the project can now get underway."

Johannes Schleußner, Head of the Sports Department of the City of Jena:

"With the founding of SPORT VERNETZT, we are sending a strong signal in Jena for sporting development that should give all children in the city the chance to develop their sporting talents. As a city of sport, we want to be pioneers and make it our goal to introduce every child to sport in a low-threshold way. In doing so, we are not only addressing the growing lack of physical activity among the younger generation, but also strengthening our local sports clubs, which promote young talent with passion and commitment."

Benjamin Engelhardt, Managing Director of Science City Jena (Baskets Jena GmbH):

"When we heard about the Berlin project more than three years ago, we didn't have to think long about whether we wanted to join as a club and bring the project idea to Jena. We see it as our duty to give something back to the city beyond basketball. The upcoming founding of the club is a milestone that will enable SPORT VERNETZT to continue to grow and give even more children access to exercise opportunities."

Frieda Fischer, project manager of SPORT VERNETZT Jena:

"In May 2022, I was able to present my work within SPORT NETWORKED at our first press conference. Today, three years later, I'm proud of all the things we've been able to implement so far and happy to have reached so many children. Now it's time to think bigger and boldly take the next step to reach many more children and integrate exercise even more firmly into their everyday lives."

Igor Ryabinin, Head of SPORT VERNETZT:

"New and courageous structures are needed so that all children can get started in sport. In Jena, we are now founding our own association for the first time with SPORT VERNETZT - this is a big step for our initiative. The foundation with the city and Science City is a beacon for Germany. I hope that many other cities will follow this example."