Last Sunday, eight clubs from Giessen and the region, Ichmael's circus barn and professionals from Giessen's swimming pools presented lots of sport, fun and action at the "Spiel' Dein Spiel" - City Day. Numerous visitors took the opportunity to try out the various activities on offer in several activity areas.
Giessen. Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) invited visitors to this year's "Spiel' Dein Spiel" - City Day at the Ringallee outdoor pool on Sunday. Over 1,200 young and old visitors accepted the invitation and tried their hand at a wide variety of sports. The programme was colourful as usual. A total of eight clubs from Giessen and the region presented themselves and their sports to a wider public and inspired children to get more exercise. The SWG mascot Fabius was also out and about on the grounds, playing tricks and performing little stunts.
"This year it became clear once again how much fun children in particular have with sport and exercise," says a delighted Matthias Funk, Technical Director at SWG. With the "Spiel' Dein Spiel" campaign, SWG supports clubs and institutions that offer children and young people meaningful exercise programmes. "Getting children excited about sport and exercise - this important work of the clubs with their numerous volunteer trainers is more important today than ever," emphasises Matthias Funk. "That's why we are proud to be able to present such a wide range of sports from Giessen and offer a platform to so many committed people."
Something for everyone
As usual, the programme at this year's City Day was diverse. In Michael Rogalla's circus barn, aka Clown Ichmael, young artists were able to try their hand at balancing and juggling. Course leader Claudia Storck from the SWG inspired numerous dancers in the water with her vigour at the Aqua-Zumba. Lifeguards from the DLRG showed how to rescue drowning people from the water. The DRK Wasserwacht Gießen (German Red Cross Water Rescue Service) gave a fitting demonstration of how a water rescue takes place and provided information on diving. One highlight was the round net of MTV 1846 Giessen, where hot matches were fought out.
All about the ball
There was also plenty on offer in terms of target and ball sports. The female footballers from TSV 1889 Klein-Linden e.V. impressed with their tricks and showed that Germany's most popular sport is no longer a male-dominated discipline. The handball players from HSG Pohlheim and HSG Fernwald demonstrated how to reliably throw the ball into the goal and gave tips and tricks on how to throw the handball correctly. The Kegel-Sport-Vereinigung Wieseck (Wieseck Bowling Club) enthused young and old alike with scissor bowling. At DC Cartoon Gießen, visitors were able to take part in small competitions on the dartboard. The Golden Dragons from MTV 1846 Giessen gave an impressive demonstration of what makes their sport of American football so special and encouraged many to join in.
What's behind the "Play your game" - City Day
SWG launched the "Spiel' Dein Spiel" campaign in 2017 to support clubs, schools and other institutions involved in children's and youth sport with donations in kind. "Spiel' Dein Spiel" - City Day has been an integral part of the campaign from the very beginning. "The work of the clubs is of great importance to our society and their commitment cannot be appreciated enough," emphasises Matthias Funk. The event offers organisations from Giessen and the surrounding area a platform to present themselves and their activities to a wider audience.
"Play your game": apply now
"With our 'Spiel' Dein Spiel' campaign, we are not just targeting a few sports or individual clubs that are successful in sports," emphasises Ulli Boos, company spokesperson for SWG. Schools or private initiatives that give children the opportunity to take part in organised sport can also benefit from the funding. It is therefore very easy to apply for support. Stadtwerke Gießen has provided an online form at www.swg-spieldeinspiel.de. Simply fill in the form, upload the video and send it off. SWG will review the applications and provide feedback shortly.
Further information can be found at www.swg-spieldeinspiel.de. SWG also reports on its social media channels: on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stadtwerkegiessenag and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/stadtwerke_giessen
Picture captions:
Press photo: From left: SWG Technical Director Matthias Funk, Uwe Volbrecht, Head of Giessen's swimming pools, and SWG company spokesperson Ulli Boos are delighted with the lively attendance at the "Spiel' Dein Spiel" City Day.
Aqua-Zumba: Aqua-Zumba with course instructor Claudia Storck from SWG got everyone sweating in the water.
Fabius: SWG mascot Fabius delighted young and old with his tricks.