Lasting effect

“The objective is to promote athletics amongst elementary school children. It aims to both highlight new talents and to encourage children to join the local club,” says David Deister, DLV Project Manager for Youth.

“The idea is to create enthusiasm among children for sports in clubs and at school, in particular athletics. Simultaneously, teachers receive a wealth of new ideas about how to organise sports events and to enrich PE lessons.”

The events have been normally staged in a collaboration of the DLV, local school authorities and an athletics club. DLV sponsors Nike and DAK Insurance provide additional support.

“We have had to work hard to get club coaches to accept the events, but those that do have found a new tool for talent identification.”

Each Athletics in Action event consists of 16 different stations, focusing on running, jumping and throwing. They are staged over takes four hours at a stadium or sports field. Up to 450 children are invited to participate in each event. In the afternoon of the same day, promising young athletes are invited to take part in club training.

“It is exciting to witness the children’s enthusiasm – and the enthusiasm of their teachers – for this form of running, jumping and throwing,” says Deister. “The kids learn about the sport and sometimes 20 or more end up joining the local club.

The DLV launched the Athletics in Action programme in 1998, normally staging about six events per year. After 10 years it handed over management responsibility to its member associations in the 16 federal states, offering special training to the future organisers.

It is expected that about 10 cities will state Athletics in Action events in 2008.

It’s very encouraging to see the project continue in different parts of Germany, and know that it has had a lasting effect, say,” says Deister.