Sports Policy in Bochum: Focus on Associations, Sustainability, and Mobility Education

Sports Associations in Focus – Grants and Events

In April 2026, several grants for sports initiatives were approved in Bochum. The TV Gerthe 1911 e.V. and the Spielvereinigung Gerthe 1911 e.V. each received 1,500 Euros for their projects. Particularly worth highlighting is the "Gerthe Girls Initiative 2026" by TV Gerthe, which aims to promote girls and young women in sports while simultaneously strengthening equality and equal opportunities.

The initiative includes, among other things, the 4th Gerthe Girls Cup, expected to attract more than 250 participants in June 2026, as well as a basketball girls' day for girls aged 6–10. In addition, training offers with external trainers are being funded. The basketball department of TV Gerthe is the second-largest provider of girls’ basketball in the Ruhr region and the largest in Bochum.

Additionally, the Spielvereinigung Gerthe plans the 32nd Children's Football Day on May 12, 2026, at the Bezirkssportanlage "Am Ehrenmal." The event is expected to attract more than 2,000 visitors and will be conducted with media coverage and regional sponsors. The goal is to further anchor football in the region and to inspire children for the sport.

Sports and Sustainability – A New Program for Associations

The city of Bochum is also focusing on sustainable development in the field of sports. Starting in April 2026, a new program will begin to sensitize sports associations to sustainable action. The focus is on interculturality and climate justice.

Through information events, training sessions, and consultations, the daily operations of associations will be made more sustainable – particularly in training, competitions, and events. The program is led by the Department of Sports and Physical Activity and implemented in cooperation with the City Sports Federation and the Office for Climate and Sustainability.

The program will initially be funded by a budget allocation of 10,000 Euros for network meetings, speakers, and events. The goal is to create a long-term network between sports associations and the city and to establish sustainability as part of the sporting identity.

Mobility Education at Schools: The "Roller Fit" Program

Another highlight in Bochum's sports policy is the "Roller Fit" program, which will be implemented at primary schools from spring 2026. In cooperation with the ADAC Foundation and the company OLIMA SPORT, mobility education will be integrated into physical education classes starting from the second grade. The aim is to strengthen traffic competence at an early age and to promote accident prevention and the joy of movement.

The so-called "Roller Fit Mobile" will be lent to schools free of charge and used for two school weeks. It supports the motor, social, and safety-related development of children. Bochum is investing around 42,000 Euros in the program, which shows how highly the importance of mobility education and traffic education is assessed in educational policy.

Outlook: Sports as a Driver for Integration and Climate Protection

The developments in April 2026 show that sports in Bochum is not only seen as a leisure activity, but also as an instrument for integration, sustainability, and education. The promotion of girls in sports, the sensitization to climate protection, and the strengthening of traffic competence in children are central pillars of the city’s sports policy strategy.

In the future, it will depend on how these initiatives can be communicated to the general public and whether they can be anchored in the long term. The cooperation between the city administration, sports associations, and schools will be decisive in this regard.