Autumn vacation, we are in a gym in Bern. 85 children run in circles to warm up. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed – no arguments or shouting. Instead, you hear children laughing and sneakers squeaking. Carlos Lima, a former handball pro with a microphone in the middle, gives instructions to the kids and tells what sports are on the program today.
We are at the Fit4Future Sports Camp, where children between the ages of six and twelve get acquainted with 15 different sports branches every week. The goal is for them to find their favorite sport and then sign up for a club. To make this possible for every child, Laureus Switzerland offers financial support.
Normally, training takes place with trained instructors. And then there are the so-called Ambassador Days from Laureus, which for many is the highlight of the week. Laureus Foundation Various ambassadors from Switzerland come to visit here. This time in Bern, international and YB player Christian Fassnacht (28), former gymnast Giulia Steingruber (28), fencer Max Heinzer (35) and former handball player Carlos Lima (52) are taking place.
Top athletes meet kids
After the warm-up, the children are divided into three age groups. Each group tries a different sport and then returns. Today’s program includes fencing with Heinzer and Fassnacht, handball with Lima and artistic gymnastics with Steingruber.
The top athlete is particularly well received by the kids, especially since we are in Bern: YB player Christian Fassnacht. Charlotte (8), “I really want an autograph from Fassnacht!” says. He is not alone in this. Many children gather around football professionals. They want to grapple with his role models, play football with him and try to catch him. In fact, a few kids almost ripped their pants. Fassnacht calms down and laughs.
The same goes for former gymnast Giulia Steingruber, who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. She is also well received by children and serves as a role model she. Agata (7) can’t wait to train with Steingruber: “I think gymnastics is the best, I’m looking forward to it!”
There is something for every child
Other kids originally assigned to gymnastics want to go straight to fencing – that’s where Fassnacht is involved, after all. Two men say they definitely want an autograph from him. Levi (9) is not interested in football: “I don’t want an autograph from Fassnacht. Football is so boring. I want to fight!” Also, as he proudly says, privately with a fencing club. The role model for him is Max Heinzer. Zoé (7) also loves sports: “I think fencing is super cool. I also think it’s really great that the pros are coming.”
Fencing, gymnastics, handball: Every child has different interests and must find their favorite sport at camp. The goal is to show kids sports they would never have tried otherwise. Like 7-year-old Agata, for example. Without the camps, he may not have realized what sport he likes. “Yesterday we tried wrestling, basketball and jumping rope. “I found wrestling the best,” he says.
john (8) says that he is not really a sports fan, but still has fun: “I don’t do much sports at home. I actually think technology is cooler. I am already a member thanks to my friend. And I think everything is great here.” So kids like it. You know and like different sports. But what motivates the professionals to join?
Health, fun and togetherness: What motivates professionals
Sport has always played an important role for Steingruber: “As a kid, I took part in the “Fastest Gossauer” competition every year. It has always given me great pleasure and is a beautiful memory. The most important thing as an adult was to participate in the 2016 Olympics, where I won the bronze medal. But I’ve also always appreciated getting to know different people in sports.”
Steingruber is now interested in Laureus as he wants to convey the positive experiences he has had in sports and health is important to him: “I love taking care of others and I really enjoy working with children. I also think that health promotion, which is often neglected these days, is important. That’s why I want to help Laureus and make a difference.”
The situation is similar in Fassnacht. He also had good experiences with sports, especially in sports camps, from an early age: “I used to play tennis. There was always a tennis camp in the summer. This was a very important event as a kid and I looked forward to it every time.”
That’s definitely one of the reasons for his relationship with Laureus. But Fassnacht says it’s more than that: “I just want to show kids that exercise is a good thing. It’s about bringing them closer to the world of sports because sports gives you so much. Connects and can overcome language and cultural barriers. In sports, it doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are. Sport brings people together and is also good for your health.”