Experience sport for development up close in Munich

Sport for Development (SfD) is defined by the targeted use of sport to support social development goals. This means that the focus is not on sporting results and skills, but on social goals. In order to gain a better understanding of the intricacies of SfE and gain practical experience, students on the bachelor's degree program in Sport, Culture & Event Management had the opportunity to visit two organizations in Munich in mid-June.

WORKSHOP ON FUNDING APPLICATIONS FOR SPORT FOR GOOD

In the morning, the group met at the headquarters of Laureus Sport for Good Germany, Austria in downtown Munich. Laureus Sport for Good is one of the most important funders and supporters of SfE in the German-speaking world and helps to raise funds and awareness for organizations in the region. After a short welcome, the workshop began, in which the students gained insights into the work of Laureus Sport for Good and learned how sport-for-development approaches are implemented in funding programs in Germany and Austria. They worked on fictitious funding applications to acquire practical skills and understand the importance of Sport for Good for social development.

“It is important that foundations and higher education institutions work closely together. During the practical days, the students were able to experience how sport is used to solve challenges faced by young people. We look forward to further cooperation projects with the FH Kufstein Tirol,” says Julia Schilling, Co-Managing Director of Laureus Sport for Good Germany, Austria.

SUPPORTING MARGINALIZED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH STREET SPORTS

In the afternoon, the group moved to a completely different location, the skate park in Ostpark. There, the cohort was welcomed by two members of HIGH FIVE e.V., a local organization that uses skateboarding and other street sports as a means to reach and support marginalized youth.

There, the students not only learned about the unique sports education approach of HIGH FIVE e.V., but were also able to experience it first-hand. After a short warm-up phase, the students put on their pads and grabbed a skateboard to take part in a practical, interactive session. In a process of trial and error, discussion and reflection, the two facilitators demonstrated how their sports-based approach can help young people develop communication, confidence and resilience.

“This was an excellent demonstration of how sport can be used to support a process of reflection and experiential learning that develops skills that go far beyond the sporting arena,” said Prof. (FH) Dr. Louis Moustakas, Professor of Sport Management & Sport Sociology at the University of Applied Sciences in Kufstein.