As part of its "Play your game" campaign, Stadtwerke Gießen is equipping the children's gymnastics group at SV 1927 Harbach with a new table tennis table.
The "Spiel' Dein Spiel" campaign is entering the next round: SV 1927 Harbach was the first club to receive a donation from Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) in 2023 - a new table tennis table. However, this is not primarily for the table tennis department, but for children's gymnastics. In fact, the instructors use the new sports equipment to offer their youngsters an even wider range of activities. And it's not just a welcome change of pace. "Table tennis trains hand-eye coordination much better than the classic gymnastics exercises. The new table allows us to set completely different training accents," explains Maike Kräter, head of the children's gymnastics department at SV Harbach.
Around 35 children between the ages of three and 14 come together for children's gymnastics in the Harbach village community centre every Tuesday at 4.30 pm. "We are always happy to support such a large group," emphasises Stephanie Orlik, who is responsible for the "Spiel' Dein Spiel" campaign at SWG. Kathrin Keil, board member of SV Harbach, adds: "The older children and young people are particularly happy to have the opportunity to play table tennis. It gives them extra motivation."
The table tennis table should also ensure that children remain active at SV Harbach even when they grow out of the children's gymnastics programme. After all, those who have already gained some experience in this sport will naturally find it easier to join a group that is all about table tennis. This is exactly what the club offers - alongside football, gymnastics, men's gymnastics and dance.
Supporting important youth work
Those responsible at Stadtwerke and the club came together for the handover of the new table tennis table during a children's gymnastics session. "'Play your game' is really a great thing," explains Kathrin Keil. And she is not alone in this opinion. In fact, the campaign has been very well received by clubs and institutions that offer exercise programmes for children and young people. After all, SWG makes it possible for the clubs to obtain play and sports equipment that would be impossible to finance with increasingly tight budgets. "Obviously we hit the mark with 'Spiel' Dein Spiel'. We are delighted that we can support the clubs in their important youth work with our donations in kind," summarises Stephanie Orlik.
Further information on the SWG "Spiel' Dein Spiel" campaign and applications:
www.swg-spieldeinspiel.de