“It’s just a cool sport, it just feels like flying. I love this sport and I think you should be supported in order to have this opportunity and to pass on the joy to others.” Speed climber Nele Thomas applied for funding from the Sportstiftung NRW with this message, among other things, in a one-minute video.
And the student convinced the five-person expert committee. She now receives 350 euros as support for her place at the sports boarding school and also talent funding of 250 euros. The application video is one of the new requirements for funding from the Sportstiftung NRW.
Personality asked
For the first time, the foundation is not just paying attention to sporting achievements. The personality of the athletes is now also a criterion.
“How to deal with defeats, how to deal with the opponent, respectfully,” is one of the questions that hockey goalkeeper Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji, vice-European junior champion, had to answer in an extensive self-disclosure.
This is about six core competencies that the foundation considers worthy of support: “Intrinsic motivation, emotional competence, respect, teamwork and critical thinking skills, authenticity and commitment,” explains the managing director of the sports foundation and former saber fencer, Maximilian Hartung.
Responsible athletes
According to the foundation, these core competencies characterize responsible athletes. One of them: Nikita Mohr, U23 world champion in lightweight rowing and medical student.
“I think a responsible athlete must be in constant communication and always act self-reflectively. I think that in a modern sports culture, the relationship between coach and athlete and the athlete association should be balanced, with respect and that is exactly what counts for me as a responsible athlete.”
The sporting performance of applicants like Nikita Mohr accounts for 70 percent of the selection of eligible athletes, while the questionnaire and application video account for a total of 30 percent, according to Maximilian Hartung.
Have an impact on society
“Because we are convinced that the athletes act as multipliers and role models back in society and of course ultimately have the potential to rise further and inspire even more people for their sport. “
427 young athletes from North Rhine-Westphalia now have the chance to do so. The foundation will invest three million euros by 2025.