Successful start for SPORT VERNETZT Jena e.V.

The new association "SPORT VERNETZT Jena e.V." was officially launched on Thursday with lots of movement and beaming faces. In keeping with the name, the symbolic starting signal was given in the form of a joint run: the fourth-graders from Schiller Primary School organized a small running event for the daycare children from Winzerla - a successful cooperation project and at the same time a lively transitional offer between daycare and school in the social area.

SPORT VERNETZT Jena e.V. is part of the nationwide initiative with which ALBA BERLIN and over 70 partner organizations across the country are working to get children interested in sport and exercise at a low threshold. The new association was founded in Jena in June 2025 following a unanimous decision by the city council. Until then, the project had been set up and financed independently by Science City Jena over the past three years. The founding of the new association is now the next step and a joint project of the city of Jena, Science City Jena and ALBA BERLIN. It is considered a unique project in Germany, which is initially designed for the Winzerla district and is intended to reach all children in the district in the final expansion stage.

The event was opened on Thursday by Frieda Fischer, the full-time sports manager who organizes the activities at the new club. Representatives of the three partners then addressed those present with words of welcome and also presented the association's founding document.

Gelungener Auftakt für SPORT VERNETZT e.V.

Frieda Fischer introduced the new project once again and also presented the first official cooperation partner, SV GutsMuths Jena e.V. and its badminton section - a strong signal! Talks are already underway with other partners.

Shortly afterwards, the children arrived and gathered for the joint kick-off. They completed the short running course to applause and great enthusiasm before they all crossed the finish line together. A large group photo rounded off this special moment.

The launch of SPORT VERNETZT Jena e.V. was not only an official founding act, but also living proof of how sport builds bridges - between nurseries and schools, between clubs and partners and in the heart of the Winzerla district.

The foundation stone has been laid for the work of the new association. SPORT VERNETZT Jena e.V. aims to develop further collaborations with schools, daycare centers and clubs in the city in the future. The aim is not only to give children access to sport and exercise at an early age, to accompany transitions in their educational biography, but also to strengthen the district concept.

In the photo (from left): Henning Harnisch, Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Frieda Fischer, Head of Education Johannes Schleußner, Benjamin Engelhardt

Voices

Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Lord Mayor of the City of Jena
"I fell in love with the project right from the start and still like it just as much as I did three years ago when I first heard about SPORT VERNETZT. It's great that we were able to start it here in Winzerla. Founding this association makes perfect sense, especially with the aim of reaching all children and getting them moving."

Henning Harnisch, Vice President ALBA BERLIN Basketballteam e.V.

"The fact that an entire city is getting started with SPORT VERNETZT and this special organizational form of its own club is something special for us. We have experienced a really positive start here for an example that may set a precedent. Now everyone on site can start implementing it."

Benjamin Engelhardt, Management of Science City Jena

"After the successful launch of SPORT VERNETZT three years ago, it quickly became clear to us that we had to put the project on its own feet if it was to continue to grow. Even though the city around the Lord Mayor was quickly on fire, it still took a while before we found the right form for joint funding of the project. I am therefore all the more pleased that we have now achieved this goal and that SPORT VERNETZT Jena e.V. can officially start with today's event."