After a dramatic final spurt, Fortuna Düsseldorf succeeded in remaining in the 2nd Bundesliga. But the young Fortuna fans also had another reason to cheer: Düsseldorf‘s most successful soccer club invited the primary school children participating in the initiative “SMS. Be Smart. Join In. Be Fit.” to a training session at Flinger Broich. The training units were led by trainers from the Youth Academy Center. Following joint warm-up and stretching exercises, technical training and goal kicking practice were on the program. At the end, the primary school children played in small teams against each other, but then separately for boys and girls, so that the girls would also get the most out of the opportunity to play. “We take our social responsibility very seriously and therefore want to convey to children the joy of being active in sports,” said Markus Hirte, head of Fortuna’s Youth Academy Center, explaining the commitment of Fortuna. “For the children, training at Flinger Broich is really a highlight; many can hardly wait,” added project leader Prof. Dr. Karsten Müssig.
Primary school children and teachers of the GGS Max-Halbe-Strasse with Fortuna trainer Christian Lasch, project leader Prof. Dr. Karsten Müssig and project coordinator Guido Schenuit. Photo: SMS
The initiative “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." led by Prof. Dr. Karsten Müssig shall make children in Düsseldorf primary schools more aware of the benefits of healthy nutrition and more exercise. In the “aid” nutrition pilot license program, the children learn how to handle food and kitchen equipment in cooperation with the Educational Center for Dietary Assistants of the Kaiserswerther Diakonie and take part in the exercise program for primary schools “Fitness for Kids” developed by sports scientist Prof. Dr. Kerstin Ketelhut. The two health insurance companies IKK classic and KKH, the organization diabetesDE - German Diabetes Aid, the Sports Department of Düsseldorf and other renowned partners and prominent people support the project and provide the participating school children with additional attractive venues for learning outside of school. The patron of the initiative is Thomas Geisel, mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf.
Further information: www.sms-mach-mit.de (German only)