TSV Westerland

Badminton connects athletes from Schleswig-Holstein and Poland

Even though there were school holidays on Sylt in the week before Easter, the sports hall at the grammar school did not remain unused. 35 children and young people between the ages of eleven and 17 trained there as part of the Sylt Camp 2022, which the Schleswig-Holstein Badminton Association hosted on the island for the first time.

The participants came not only from Sylt and from the entire state. A total of nine athletes also travelled from Poznań, Poland, together with national coach Peter Zsoldos. Divided into two groups – beginners and advanced – exercises with a “flying ball” were primarily used to improve one’s own game.

After the training sessions, they cooked together in the TSV home, which also served as an overnight stay for all participants, and spent the evenings in a convivial atmosphere. In addition, a joint mudflat hike was on the agenda. This has also led to friendships across national borders and a return visit to Poznań is already being considered.

Torsten Lickfers, head of the badminton division at TSV Westerland, drew a positive balance for the camp, which was also supported by the German-Polish Youth Office, after four days: “The children and young people were very motivated and had a lot of fun on and off the court. Hopefully we will be able to offer this camp again next year.”