SPD (Social Democratic Party) hosts inaugural sports conference in Oberhausen
In the heart of Oberhausen, a sports conference was recently held by the local SPD, bringing together around 50 representatives from various local sports clubs. The event, organised by Sandra Jungmaier, deputy party chairman, and themed around school and sports, aimed to address the specific needs of Oberhausen's citizens and offer events on pressing topics.
The conference focused on current issues such as financing opportunities for sports clubs, tax relief for volunteers, and the integration of children and migrants into sports. The goal is to better support sports clubs, enabling them to expand and stabilise their offerings. Additionally, the role of volunteer helpers was recognised, with efforts being made to provide tax relief for their work.
Social integration through sporting activities plays a significant role in strengthening community spirit and unity. This focus reflects the societal importance of sports and strives to further strengthen sports as a social bond in Oberhausen, making it more inclusive.
Concrete measures or detailed implementation plans for these focuses have not yet been released in the available information. However, keeping abreast of the latest decisions and planned programs from the conference may be helpful by following the communal publications of the SPD Oberhausen or local press releases, as these often provide detailed descriptions of the decisions.
During the conference, Sabine Poschmann, spokesperson for sports policy in the SPD parliamentary group, shared concrete tips with Oberhausen sports functionaries, such as contacting the German Foundation for Civic Engagement. She also reported on numerous funding programs of the federal government that Oberhausen can benefit from.
A key discussion point was the action "Sports Vouchers for Children," which allows every first-grader in Oberhausen to join a sports club for free for six months. The importance of getting children excited about sports early and integrating them into clubs was emphasised throughout the conference.
The honorary allowance for volunteers was last increased in 2021 by Olaf Scholz, then finance minister and current chancellor, to 840 euros per year for each volunteer and up to 3,000 euros per year for instructors. This move was appreciated by the participants as a recognition of the valuable contribution made by volunteers.
The Sports Church in Osterfeld and the Movement Hill in the Vonderort recreation park have already received investments totalling 4.2 million euros. Sandra Jungmaier summarised that the sports conference marked a good start for many more conversations and events.
The Oberhausen SPD decided to establish theme workshops at its party conference last year, with the aim of addressing the specific needs of Oberhausen's citizens and offering events on pressing topics. SPD party leader Dirk Vöpel welcomed the guests, expressing his enthusiasm for the productive exchange with local sports clubs.
Football was one of the sports discussed at the conference, as efforts are being made to support its integration for children and migrants in Oberhausen. The conference also highlighted the importance of volunteering in football clubs and the need for tax relief for these volunteers.
The Sports Church in Osterfeld and the Movement Hill in the Vonderort recreation park have already received investments, which indicate the priority given to sports infrastructure in Oberhausen, encompassing various sports like football.
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