German sports high school, Bremer Oberschule, aims for elite sports status - application forwarded to the German Olympic Sports Association
Revised Article:
The thriving sports scene in Germany is about to get a boost, as the upper school situated on Ronzelenstraße is gunning to become one of the country's esteemed Elite Sports Schools (ESS). The Senator for Children and Education, Sascha Karolin Aulepp, has submitted a proposal to this effect to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).
This school already boasts a unique mix of academic pursuits, athletic training, and boarding for its students, all working in harmony towards the goal of nurturing future world champions while ensuring they receive a solid education too. The ESS model is all about optimizing time and resources, so students can excel in both their sports and academics.
Currently, there's an ESS in almost every federal state, with the exception being Bremen. If granted, the Ronzelenstraße school would fill this gap.
A 140-page Blueprint
Sascha Karolin Aulepp expresses her fervent hope that the DOSB will recognize the school's exceptional performance in cultivating young talents and bestow upon it the title of an Elite Sports School. In support of her application, she's submitted a comprehensive 140-page plan detailing the key aspects of the school's operation:
This includes rhythmizing the school day's academic and athletic training sessions, career guidance, squad structure, talent scouting, health and prevention management, sports-focused lifestyle, nutrition, and mental health strategies to tackle the psychological demands of competitive sports. It also emphasizes inclusive teaching, ensuring all students can participate and thrive in a sports-focused environment.
Three supporting letters have also been included in the application—one from Mayor Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte, one from Senator Aulepp herself, and one from Sports and Interior Senator Ulrich Mäurer. The latter underlines the school's history of producing talented athletes like gymnast Julia Stavickaja, gymnast Karina Schönmaier, and swimmer Florian Wellbrock, wholeheartedly endorsing the school's application for elite sports school certification.
- Cooperation Agreement (2000/2001): A cooperation agreement was forged between the Senator for Education and Science, the School Center at Ronzelenstraße, and federations of Swimming, Judo, Artistic Gymnastics, and Rhythmic Gymnastics.
- Training Hours (2003/2004): Seven school hours were dedicated to cross-sport and sport-specific training for elite athletes, with the federations responsible for organizing the training and grade-school students offering homework support.
- School Expansion (2006): The school established its own cafeteria and moved towards full-day operation.
- Establishment of the Upper School (2009): Three profiles were introduced, one of which focused on sports.
- School Growth (Since 2009): The school expanded its sports-oriented offerings.
- Support for Sports Talents (2018): Mental trainers were provided to help sports talents manage the stress of the Abitur (German university entrance exam), and plans were made for a refurbished cafeteria and dormitory for external students.
- Intensified Efforts (2018): The school intensified its efforts towards obtaining Elite Sports School certification.
- Sports Dormitory (2023): A sports dormitory was established in Mary-Astell-Straße, home to Bremen's Bremer Hockey-Club.
- Sports Center Opening (2024): A new sports center at Ronzelenstraße was due to open, featuring a six-field sports hall, seminar rooms, and a gym.
- Application Submission (Early 2025): The application for Elite Sports School certification was submitted to the DOSB.
The school is financially supported by the Senator for Children and Education, who funds the performance sports coordinator, teacher and trainer positions, the school's operations, and a considerable part of the dormitory. The Elite Sports School certification does not come with additional financial or personnel resources from the DOSB, according to the education department.
Image Credit: The two-story sports hall at the secondary school on Ronzelenstraße spans 6,600 square meters and caters to six sports fields, offering a barrier-free environment. (Photo: Olaf Mahlstedt)
While I can't provide the current status of the school's application for elite sports school certification, you may want to contact the school directly or consult relevant local educational authorities or sports organizations in Germany for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
- The Ronzelenstraße school, with its strong emphasis on education-and-self-development, learning, and sports, is hoping to become an Elite Sports School (ESS), providing an inclusive environment for students to excel in both sports and academics.
- The school's 140-page application for Elite Sports School certification detailing their strategy for rhythmizing academic and athletic training, talent scouting, health management, sports-focused lifestyle, nutrition, mental health support, and inclusive teaching, highlights their dedication to learning and self-development through sports.
