"Shared sporting activities bring people together, make it easier to overcome language barriers and bridge gaps between different nationalities, religions and cultures. And mutual prejudices can be overcome by sharing experiences," said Chancellor Angela Merkel at the award ceremony for the "Stars of Sports". She said it was a special pleasure for her to present these awards to people who work hard at this day in day out without any sort of media attention.

Strengthening voluntary work was explicitly laid out as a goal in the coalition agreement. With projects such as the Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt (foundation for engagement and volunteering), the government is taking action specifically to support the work of dedicated volunteers. In her video podcast the Chancellor also explains the importance of volunteering in and for sport in Germany.

Award in recognition of sport for society

This year the "Great Gold Star" went to the club Pfeffersport from Berlin-Pankow. The sports club’s "Mission Inclusion" pursues a pro-diversity approach and aims to reflect the diversity of the city. Inclusion and integration are second nature to the club.

Since it was founded over 30 years ago, Pfeffersport’s motto has been "Sport for society". All sporting activities are open to everyone, irrespective of age, disability or background. An inclusion counsellor inside the club ensures that everybody interested in Pfeffersport finds a place in one of the sports groups, as well as supporting trainers and coaches in their work.

The club has an affiliated upgrading project which addresses other sports clubs and federations, education providers and institutions, and offers them support in developing inclusive cultures, structures and practices. The club’s dedication and commitment already won it the Great Silver Sports Star last year at state level.

Pooling administrative work, strengthening school sports

The second place at national level went to the Interessengemeinschaft Sport Heddesheim. It acts as an umbrella organisation for five sports clubs and deals with their administrative work, as well as taking on responsibility for sports development.

In third place was Sportclub Riesa, whose project "Sport ist Klasse" aims to introduce more exercise at schools and attract talented youngsters to competitive sport.

The Stars of Sports are awards presented to sports clubs in recognition of exceptional social engagement. The Great Star has been awarded every year since 2004. The competition is open to all sports clubs affiliated to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), all sport clubs that are members of state sports associations or central associations , and sports associations with special mandates. The "Stars of Sports" are awarded at three levels: local (bronze), state (silver) and federal levels (gold).