SHERIDAN, WYOMING – September 30, 2024 – The Baskets@School project, a joint initiative by Deutsche Telekom, Telekom Baskets Bonn, and the City of Bonn, has achieved a new milestone with a record-breaking number of participants in its eighth year. The program, aimed at inspiring children's enthusiasm for sports and basketball, has seen a surge in interest, with 82 classes from 72 schools in Bonn and the surrounding area taking part. This marks the third consecutive year of record participation, surpassing last year's 68 schools and welcoming two schools to the program for the first time.
"The record number of participants shows that our offer to motivate children and young people for sports is meeting with a great response," said Henning Stiegenroth, Head of Sports and Sponsoring at Telekom. "We are particularly pleased that we have more teams than ever before in the elementary school classes. Through sport, important values such as fairness and team spirit are also learned."
The Baskets Grundschul-Challenge, designed for first and second graders, and the Baskets Grundschul-Liga, for third and fourth graders, have both seen remarkable growth. The Challenge boasts a record 48 teams from 38 schools, while the Liga features 34 schools. With approximately 1,200 students involved, the competition is larger than ever.
Daniel Seffern, Sports Manager of the Baskets, expressed his enthusiasm for the project's expansion: "With the possibility of registering several classes per school, we have taken the next step in the further development of this great project."
Two schools, Max & Moritz Grundschule Menden and EGS Meckenheim, are joining Baskets@School for the first time, adding to the excitement of the upcoming training phase. In October, the project will offer training for participating teachers, equipping them with the skills to teach basketball in a fun and engaging way.
The basketball clubs at the participating schools will kick off in the coming weeks. The Grundschul-Liga will feature league tournaments with a first and second round, culminating in a grand finale at the Telekom Dome in the spring. The Challenge finals will take place even earlier, on February 8, 2025.
The final games at the Telekom Dome promise a professional atmosphere, with numerous spectators, including families, friends, and fans, cheering on the young players. Professionals from Telekom Baskets Bonn will also be present to support the budding athletes. All finalists will receive certificates, and the winning teams will be awarded cash prizes. The overall champion will also receive a trophy and an exclusive visit to the Telekom Baskets, including a behind-the-scenes look.
Under the motto "Fun, fair play, and a passion for sports," Baskets@School has been inspiring students for eight years, fostering a love for basketball and teamwork. With options for every age group, the project continues to make a positive impact on the community.