In 2022, the umbrella organization will thus focus on its brand core with the solidarity team spirit. The aim is to raise awareness that sports and clubs are the integrative and social pillars for more cohesion. The important club life should get going again after the corona restrictions. The SPORTUNION therefore wants to achieve more recognition and facilitation for Austria’s volunteers. Among other things, the goals are to improve the crediting of voluntary work and to reduce bureaucracy.
“The lifting of most of the pandemic measures will finally enable Austria’s around 15,000 sports clubs to start again fully and without restrictions. However, polarizing debates about the corona vaccination and the Ukraine war continue to weigh on the mood in Europe. Sport is a key to overcoming social divides and building new bridges. We will therefore increasingly focus on working together as part of our upcoming activities. Whether in Austria, in Europe or worldwide, sport connects and brings people together in a peaceful and healthy competition,” says SPORTUNION President Peter McDonald, who shows solidarity with the people in the war zone of Ukraine and hopes for a quick end to the fighting.
At the Austria-wide launch of the #sportverbindet initiative, SPORTUNION will move elementary school students into classrooms with the innovative exercise and health program “UGOTCHI – points with class”. The point hunt for children (6-10 years) runs under the motto “Team Spirit” and will take place from May 9th to June 5th, 2022 from Lake Neusiedl to Lake Constance. More than 50,000 elementary school children are currently registered. ÖFB team players will act as ambassadors. As in the previous year, the campaign is organized in cooperation with SIMPLY STRONG in partnership with UNIQA and the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). Registrations are still open until March 18th ugotchi.at possible.
“As part of our movement initiatives in the youth sector, there will be a special focus on the topic of team spirit. We are experiencing a sporty spring awakening with the registrations of ‘UGOTCHI – points with class’ and are heading for a record year. Our major goal is to inspire the youngest generation in particular to share values with games and exercise and to enable them to develop healthily,” concludes McDonald, who also refers to the other #sportverbindet initiatives. These include the social project “Sport helps – Beyond Sport!”, the SPORTUNION club bonus and the SPORTUNION team challenge as part of the Wings for Life World Run on May 8, 2022. More information on this and other activities are available at sportunion.at/sportverbindet to find.
