Mascot Berni made the girls and boys beam with joy, U19 players Wisdom Mike and Allen Lambe signed autographs, as did luge legend and Olympic champion Felix Loch. What began with a visit to a primary school competition at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) last year has now become reality. FC Bayern has launched a new sports event for primary school pupils called “Youth training for the Olympics” as part of its exercise promotion programme – right at the FC Bayern Campus.
Around 90 children from four classes of two partner schools were invited and enjoyed a day full of action, team spirit and above all fun with exercise, said Benny Folkmann, managing director of FC Bayern eV: “We as a club want to make a contribution to society, and we do this by various initiatives like our exercise promotion programme. Sport connects people and promotes shared values. We want to fill this with life.” The children sprinted, jumped, dribbled and laughed at five stations – in the spirit of “Youth training for the Olympics”. That’s what it’s all about, explained Kiki Hasenpusch, deputy managing director of FC Bayern eV: “Awakening the joy of exercise, promoting fair play and strengthening team spirit. Our club has been involved in promoting exercise for a long time, we’re active at over 100 schools with more than 2,000 children per week, we want to encourage girls and boys to lead an active life.”
Felix Loch, multiple Olympic and world champion, took over the warm-up and said he was proud and happy to support FC Bayern: “I know how committed FC Bayern is to children’s and youth sport – and I know how much sport can affect the lives of children and youths. It was a matter of course for me to be here today.” Wisdom Mike was reminded of his early days: “I was a little boy myself once, I dreamed of becoming a footballer. I think this youth training project is cool – and you only see beaming faces.”
No child went home empty-handed. All participants received a small gift – and took home unforgettable memories, thanks in no small part to Berni, the two Campus talents and the luge icon. The event concluded with an awards ceremony, the three best classes were honoured. It was a successful day for young and old that showed how important exercise is at a young age – and how much fun doing sports together can be.
At all-day schools, in working groups, regular classes or action days – the diverse activities of FC Bayern’s exercise promotion programme cultivate the health and well-being of children and youths in a holistic way. A team of full-time and volunteer staff as well as students creates low-threshold access to quality exercise for everyone. FC Bayern sees itself as a sporting home for children and youths – in line with its statutes – and acts as a partner to the city and institutions. The aim is to create sustainable structures for more exercise in everyday life and contribute to equal opportunities.
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