High School in Bremer persists in pursuing the title "Elite School of Sports"
In the city of Bremen, the Ronzelenstraße school stands out as a hub for athletic excellence, boasting a modern six-court sports hall, the most modern in the northwest region. With a student body of 960, 380 of whom are involved in high-performance sports, and 60 making it to national teams, the school has proven its commitment to nurturing young talent.
Notable alumni include Olympic swimming champion Florian Wellbrock, European gymnastics champion Karina Schöömaier, professional handball player Miro Schluroff, national hockey player Lena Frerichs, and beach volleyball European vice-champion Kim van de Velde.
However, the school has faced a setback in its quest for recognition as an "Elite Sports School" by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). Its first application was rejected in mid-June. The school remains undeterred and is working on plans to improve its application, with a focus on meeting the fourth criterion by establishing a closer cooperation with the Olympic support point in Hannover, approximately 120 kilometers away.
The DOSB recognizes schools that provide optimal conditions for young sports talents and offers annual €10,000 support. However, the school is more interested in recognition than financial aid. The progress made by politics and sports associations in this matter will be visible during the second application attempt, scheduled to start at the beginning of next year.
The DOSB currently recognizes 43 "Elite Sports Schools" across Germany, but none are located in the northwest. The organization is not planning to establish new federal support points until 2028, which presents a challenge for schools like the Ronzelenstraße school in Bremen.
Martin Schultze, sports director of the German Hockey Federation, has suggested revising the criteria for the "Elite Sports School" certificate to allow for recognition without the requirement of two federal support points in the same city. This could potentially open new avenues for schools like the one in Bremen.
The school meets two out of the four main criteria with distinction: it demonstrates excellent coordination between high-performance sports and school, and operates as a full-time boarding school. However, it falls short in meeting the third and fourth criteria, as it does not have two federal support points in Bremen and is not connected to an Olympic support point.
Senator for the Interior and Sports, Ulrich Maurer, questions the necessity of two federal support points for recognition. The school and local authorities are exploring alternative strategies, such as enhancing training facilities and infrastructure, introducing specialized coaching and talent development programs, and developing academic-sport integration models. Collaboration with local sports clubs and associations is also being considered to provide additional training opportunities and access to higher-level coaches.
As the school continues its fight for the "Elite School of Sports" title, it awaits updates from the DOSB and local politics regarding potential changes in the criteria for recognition and the establishment of new sports locations. For specific, up-to-date information, it would be necessary to consult official statements from the school or the relevant sports and political organizations.
The Ronzelenstraße school, seeking the title of an "Elite Sports School" despite its first application rejection, is focusing on improving its application by establishing a closer cooperation with the Olympic support point in Hannover. The school, with a history of nurturing talented athletes, is more interested in recognition than financial aid offered by the DOSB.
Senator Ulrich Maurer, questioning the necessity of two federal support points for recognition, is considering alternative strategies such as enhancing training facilities, introducing specialized coaching, and developing academic-sport integration models to boost the school's chances.
