HSG Uni Rostock: Sport instead of violence – award for youth protection!

HSG Uni Rostock: Sport instead of violence – award for youth protection!

The importance of sports clubs goes far beyond physical exercise. It has recently become clear that they are also an important protective space for children and young people in order to actively address risks such as abuse and violence. The Rostock club HSG Uni Rostock was recently awarded the special prize “Sport instead of violence 2025”, which is awarded by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Council for Crime Prevention and the State Sports Association. Loud Uckermark courier The celebratory award ceremony took place on July 14th in the newly opened Warnemünde State Sports School.

The head of the handball division, Marcus Helwing, accepted the award and emphasized the club's commitment to youth protection, which is reflected in a comprehensive youth protection concept. The strict rules of conduct for children and parents, which place particular emphasis on respect and tolerance, were particularly praised at the award ceremony. These include the request to treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself and the clear rule that no child is discriminated against.

A strong network for young athletes

Sports clubs in Germany, like the HSG Uni Rostock, are not only places for leisure activities, but also crucial for the physical and mental health of around 7.3 million children and young people. BISP emphasizes that the responsibility for protecting children and young people lies with the clubs, which is why an environment suitable for children and young people must be created. In this context, the German Sports Youth and the German Olympic Sports Confederation are committed to education and preventive measures.

The youth protection concept of the HSG University of Rostock promotes a “culture of observation” in which there is clarity about the rules of conduct and communication channels are established. Helwing described the concept as extremely important for the protection of everyone involved, from young people to coaches and parents. With around 2,450 members in 20 departments, including unusual sports such as parkour and cheerleading, the club has established itself as the fifth largest popular sports club in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Strong together in sport

A particularly notable initiative is the founding of the cricket department by Afghan refugees, which promotes the idea of ​​integration in sport. In addition, the cheerleading department, which was only founded in 2019 by two students, has now increased to 83 members - a clear indicator of the commitment and enthusiasm within the club.

Supporting members in establishing new departments and striving to create a safe environment for everyone fits perfectly with the goals set out in the current German Sports Youth guidelines and brochures. The approach of developing a “culture of observation and participation” is not only a goal of the HSG Uni Rostock, but also a general requirement within the sports landscape. DSJ supports the importance of these topics in the association's work with new materials that offer helpful recommendations for action.

In summary, the commitment of the HSG Uni Rostock shows how important it is to be active in the community and to take responsibility. The club's work is not only a platform for sporting activity, but also a support for social issues - and that is a real benefit for everyone involved.