Home
Swimming coaches course for refugees
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/swimming-coaches-course-refugees
Share
 
The URL has been copied
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/swimming-coaches-course-refugees
Share
 
The URL has been copied
participants at a conference smile and pose while holding certificates
A project in Germany is working on integrating refugees into the primary labor market to tackle the shortage of skilled staff in swimming.

There is a shortage of skilled workers in German sports. For years, the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB) has been trying to make the job of trainer more attractive with its trainer campaign. However, the environment is very challenging for all stakeholders, from volunteer and full-time coaching in clubs, to competitive coaching positions at clubs and federations, to commercial sports centers.

In Berlin, we implemented a project that brought together the various stakeholders of the sports ecosystem in order to sustainably and specifically meet a need for specialists.

In December 2021, in cooperation with the DOSB, the Landessportbund Berlin (LSB) and the German Foreign Office, we held a swimming trainer workshop with refugees living in Berlin. A great interest in swimming was aroused among the participants.

The need for swimming coaches is very high in Berlin; among other things, to implement the School Swimming Centers (SSZ) desired by state government, the Berlin Swimming Association (BSV) urgently needed swimming coaches starting in the 2022/2023 school year. However, these coaches could not be recruited without harming the Berlin club system. Therefore, the BSV looked for other possibilities.

When we contacted the BSV, both interests could be combined very quickly and the stakeholders involved were convinced to organize a C-Level Coach course, which started in April 2022.

In a two-part application process with theory and practice, 21 participants were selected, including 17 refugees from seven countries and 4 Germans. 13 participants (10 refugees) were permanently employed by the BSV for the SSZ. Almost all other trainers were placed in Berlin clubs or private swimming schools.

The added value is there for all

The special thing about the project is the added value, which is obviously for everyone involved. Coaches had to be found in order to be able to guarantee swimming lessons at Berlin's elementary schools, and these were found, enabling the Berlin school administration and the BSV to implement the new SSZ. Thus, the project shows a promising approach to meet the shortage of skilled workers in Germany.

Almost all of the refugees participating were unemployed or only marginally employed before the course. A job offer was made to all of them and twelve refugees were transferred directly to the first labor market. The participants have obtained an (additional) trainer's license with a sport-specific training. This training offers them the opportunity to engage in voluntary and professional activities. In addition, the participants were able to develop their swimming skills and rediscover swimming. Thus, the Berlin swimming community got new swimming coaches.

Both the refugee and German participants could see a special added value in the integrative approach. Learning together with the different life stories, exchanging ideas and getting to know each other has developed a special togetherness.

Here are a few voices from participants

Moatez Alhaw: "In sports we don't think about religion, not politics, just friendship." 

Luzie Mülsch: "At the beginning you thought that the course was a great opportunity for the refugees, but I have to say that it was a great opportunity especially for us Germans because we met such great people."

Mohammad Shaban: "Last week we didn't have a class, so we all wrote in the WhatsApp group that we miss each other. It's a really good atmosphere."

The existing sports system offers many opportunities for integration, if you connect the dots. The project demonstrates in its implementation and outcome that the existing sports system can effectively and sustainably solve societal challenges. All participating organizations aim to continue the collaboration and the project should serve as a blueprint for other sports and also companies.

Details

  • 2 information and introductory events with 60 applicants
  • 21 participants (4 women, 17 men)
  • 2 practical instructors, 1 theory instructor, 1 independent examiner
  • 120 lessons (45 minutes each)
  • 34 theory lessons- 32 LE practical lessons
  • 7 online course "Swim-To-Go", including exam
  • 9 teaching rehearsal, including preparation
  • 9 first aid courses
  • 9 lifeguarding courses
  • Approximately 30 additional swimming training units with 3-7 participants
  • Course period: April 5 to June 18, 2022
  • 13 full-time positions at Berlin school swimming centers

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

Sven Spannekrebs was a swimming coach for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Rio Olympics 2016 (Yusra Mardini), and is the co-founder of different projects and initiatives in the field of sports and humanitarian aid.

Tags

Country
Germany
Region
Europe
Sport
Swimming
Sustainable Development Goals
10 – Reduced inequalities
16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions.
Target Group
Athletes
Practitioners

Related Articles

Inspire Inclusion

Inspiring Inclusion: Celebrating International Women's Day in Rural Andhra Pradesh Through Sports

Kailas Khanna K R
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/inspiring-inclusion-celebrating-international-womens-day-rural-andhra-pradesh-through
 
The URL has been copied
Certification Ceremony from Batch 2 of Level 1: Introduction to S4D

PSD completes the first and second batches of Level 1: Introduction to S4D

Pro Sport Development
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/psd-completes-first-and-second-batches-level-1-introduction-s4d
 
The URL has been copied
Photograph of participants at the badminton outreach event in Ogoja

Badminton Training for Displaced Persons Held in Ogoja, Nigeria

https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/badminton-training-displaced-persons-held-ogoja-nigeria
 
The URL has been copied
FFH

Football for Humanity: Ending confusion about "Migrants", mental health and our daily struggles

Christopher Thomas
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/football-for-humanity-ending-confusion-about-migrants-mental-health-and-our-daily
 
The URL has been copied