Clutching the opponent in possession of the ball and pulling him to the ground - often penalised with a sending-off in football, but completely normal in rugby. But despite the seemingly rude attacks, strict rules apply and respect for opponents and referees play a decisive role. Playing rugby teaches you to control your aggression - and many other important values. This is precisely why this traditional British sport is so suitable for children and young people. The Rugby Celts of TSV Krofdorf-Gleiberg demonstrated how well this works at the second City Day organised by Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) last Sunday.
Around 2,500 enthusiastic visitors took the opportunity to try out rugby and several other sports on the outdoor pool grounds between 11 am and 6 pm. Eight clubs from Giessen and the region presented themselves and their activities at 18 stations - including the cheerleaders, footballers and floorballers from MTV 1846 Giessen, the cycle ballers from Teutonia Krofdorf-Gleiberg, the footballers from TSV Klein-Linden, the bowlers from KSV Wieseck, the wrestlers from Kampfsportfreunde Giessen, the lifeguards from the DLRG district association and the Giessen City and Country Athletics Centre (LAZ Giessen). The committed athletes involved showed the guests that exercise in all its forms is great fun.
Clown Ichmael was also part of the programme again. He entertained the youngest visitors in his hands-on circus and emphasised the importance of correct balance. At the SWG meeting point, there was also the opportunity to challenge the wheel of fortune or to support the "Tour of Hope" by buying a raffle ticket.
Matthias Funk, Technical Director of SWG, stated that the City Day perfectly summarised the idea behind "Spiel' Dein Spiel": "Our overriding aim is to enable children and young people to get more exercise and develop their sporting skills through play. That's why we launched this relatively unusual sponsorship concept. As part of this concept, we support clubs and institutions that do this important work and get young people excited about sport and exercise."
The name says it all
With "Spiel' Dein Spiel", SWG is deliberately not focussing on a few sports or individual clubs that stand out due to their particular sporting successes. "Schools or private initiatives that give children the chance to take part in organised sport should also benefit from the sponsorship," explains Ina Weller, company spokesperson for Stadtwerke Gießen, at the "Spiel' Dein Spiel" City Day. It is therefore easy to apply for sponsorship. There is an online form at www.swg-spieldeinspiel.de. It needs to be completed, supplemented with a video and sent off. SWG will review each application and let you know shortly whether they are sponsoring the project and, if so, in what form.
Further information is available at
www.swg-spieldeinspiel.de and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/spieldeinspiel