Sport unites: mobile inclusion initiative kicks off in Bad Hersfeld

The new mobile inclusion campaign is off to a flying start: visitors young and old had the opportunity to explore and try out a wide range of inclusive sports in Bad Hersfeld. The joint initiative by REWE, Aktion Mensch and the National Paralympic Committee Germany aims to enable everyone to participate in sport and to spark an interest in inclusive sport among children and young people in particular. Paralympic athlete Niko Kappel, who is an ambassador for the campaign, was there to give his take on the importance of inclusive sports for society.

REWE, Aktion Mensch and the National Paralympic Committee Germany have developed the project to showcase the wide range of inclusive sports that are available, offer practical tips and encourage visitors to engage in shared sporting activities. They hope to give children and young people an early introduction to inclusive sport: if they are aware of it from a young age, they will naturally adopt an inclusive outlook and treat others as equals in the future.

To achieve these objectives, the mobile inclusion campaign is planning to make numerous visits to clubs and schools and also to attend public events. Diversity and inclusion are not only integral components of REWE’s corporate culture; they are also concerns that are genuinely close to our heart. With the benefit of the outstanding expertise contributed by Aktion Mensch and the National Paralympic Committee Germany, we hope to use the mobile inclusion campaign to effect real change and show that sport brings people together, says Scott McDonald, Head of the Central Council of Representatives of Disabled Employees at REWE and PENNY. Bad Hersfeld was just the kick-off: starting next year the campaign will go on tour across Germany.

Survey highlights need for action

A survey by the German federal government has shown that 55 per cent of people with a disability do not take part in any sport; ¹ just 25 per cent of sports clubs in Germany are actively committed to reaching out to those with disabilities; and only 5 per cent of people with a disability are members of a sports club. There are a wide range of reasons for this: communication barriers, a lack of knowledge within the clubs and sports organisations, and prejudices. The time has come for change: the mobile inclusion campaign got underway with a clear appeal for openness and interaction as equals. Sport is a key driver of inclusion – particularly for children and young people. With the mobile inclusion campaign, we are delighted to be sending a strong message in support of diversity and participation in sport and right across our society, says Christina Marx, spokesperson for Aktion Mensch. The mobile inclusion campaign is a great opportunity to showcase the diverse forms of inclusive sport and encourage people to take part, says Friedhelm Julius Beucher, President of the National Paralympic Committee Germany.

Joining in and having a go

The mobile inclusion campaign will head to sports clubs and schools, as well as attend public events. At each location, the team will demonstrate the wide range of inclusive sports available, offer practical tips and encourage all visitors to engage in shared sporting activities. For example, participants will be able to join Niko Kappel, the German Paralympic athlete, current world record holder and silver medallist in the shot put at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, to try out activities like Ultimate Frisbee, table tennis and Subsoccer. The initiative is particularly close to Niko Kappel’s heart: Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of sport. I started taking part in sport as a child and I hope that I am able to inspire lots of people – of all ages – to become more active and above all to enjoy sport together with others.

¹ Dritter Teilhabebericht der Bundesregierung über die Lebenslagen von Menschen mit Beeinträchtigungen (Third Participation Report of the Federal Government on the living conditions of people with disabilities) P. 627 (April 2021)