Children selected for European Hockey Championship 2025 in OGS hockey tournament: A solid pledge on the field of play
In the lead-up to the Eurohockey Championships, the little champs are already kicking some serious goals! These young athletes hail from ten open, all-day schools, and they've been giving it their all in their very own tournament. This event—a collaboration between the Regional Education Office, the Sports Department, and the German Hockey Association (DHB)—has seen junior and senior teams, both old hands and newcomers, battling it out on four fields. It's not just about scoring goals, but also promoting team spirit, fair play, and plain ol' fun.
Now, you should see the grins on the winning teams' faces! In the junior teams, OGS Mülfort Dohr snagged third place, while teams from OGS Hockstein fought tooth and nail for the first and second spots. Among the senior teams, it was a friendly competition between those from OGS Uedding. A team from OGS Neuwerk brought home third place.
At the awards ceremony, the Deputy Mayor for Education, Culture, and Sports, Christiane Schüssler, and the lovable DHB mascot "Schlenzi" handed out certificates and trophies. Those shiny awards brought sparkles to the children's eyes and added to the excitement for the upcoming EuroHockey Championships, happening from August 8 to 17.
The OGS tournament is a star attraction of the "Hockey in the OGS" project, which Schüssler sheds light on: "We managed to recruit interested OGS care staff through a specially designed training event by the DHB. This training was accessible, even for those without prior experience. They then introduced the sport of hockey to children, starting last fall, within hockey working groups."
Following the tournament, Schüssler shared enthusiastic feedback from all participants about the children's abilities: "We were all pleasantly surprised by the high level of the children, as they're mostly new to the world of hockey."
The Regional Education Office and the Sports Department in Mönchengladbach are working hard to make "Hockey in the OGS" a permanent fixture in the city. The German Hockey Association has been a crucial partner in the planning of this pilot project. The project was boosted by support from the Gladbacher HTC club and NEW.
In addition to the electric matches, the participants were in for a surprise—a hockey quiz! With scores tied so closely, a draw was needed. It went to the senior team of OGS Mülfort Dohr, who pocketed some vouchers for a trip to one of the NEW baths.
As for the specifics of the "Hockey in the OGS" project or its impact on the Eurohockey Championships, more details can be found in project documentation or by reaching out directly to local hockey organizations in Mönchengladbach. The Deutscher Hockey-Bund e.V. (German Hockey Federation) and a potential job opportunity for a Referent Bildung (Education Representative) in Mönchengladbach may suggest that the city is involved in hockey-related activities.
The little champions have shown a keen interest in sports, specifically hockey, during the OGS tournament, a part of the "Hockey in the OGS" project. Amidst the exciting matches, the junior team from OGS Mülfort Dohr managed to secure third place, displaying their hockey skills and determination.
