Leeds City College and Gymnasium Ernestinum Celle Collaborate on UK-German Sports Exchange

Leeds City College Sport and Gymnasium Ernestinum Celle, a school in Germany, recently embarked on an ambitious project to explore how financial and physical environments shape sports coaching. Thanks to funding from UK-German Connection, students from both institutions spent five days in each country, immersing themselves in new sports, coaching techniques, and cultural experiences. The result was a deeper understanding of adaptability in sports, along with the formation of lasting friendships.

A Cross-Cultural Learning Experience

The project aimed to understand how sports coaches adapt their sessions based on financial and physical constraints. To achieve this, students and staff from both institutions participated in the exchange programme.

In mid-February, eight students and two staff members from Gymnasium Ernestinum Celle travelled to Leeds to kick off the project. During their stay, they engaged in various activities, including running coaching sessions at Power League, attending talks from guest speakers, and taking part in practical fitness activities. These sessions provided valuable insights into the challenges of coaching within different financial and infrastructural contexts.

Tilda Maecker, a student from Gymnasium Ernestinum Celle, reflected:

“My understanding of sports in other cultures has developed so much thanks to this trip. I didn’t know a lot about sports such as boxing, but I have now gained experience and a better understanding of them. I also really liked the talks about female athletes in England, as they reflected on the hardships of being a woman in a male-dominated field and having to face prejudice.”

The collaboration continued in March, when eight Leeds students and one staff member visited Germany. Here, the students were introduced to new sporting experiences, such as handball, bouldering, and CrossFit. This exchange not only enhanced their physical skills but also deepened their understanding of sports culture in another country.

Jake Quigley from Leeds City College shared his experience:

“The experience for me overall was really enjoyable. The social aspect was very fun, and it gave me the opportunity to build relationships with people you wouldn’t have met otherwise. It has improved my knowledge of fitness in different cultures and how their systems work.”

The programme had a profound impact on participants, broadening their perspectives on sports coaching and cultural diversity.

Ben Katborg, another Leeds City College student, expressed:

“My experience of the German exchange programme was definitely positive. I’ve developed my skills in coaching, learned new cultural sports and awareness, made new friends, and explored a new country. The most important thing I will take away from this experience is the friends I made and the time we had together.”

Lasting Impact

The exchange programme provided students with a unique opportunity to develop practical coaching skills while immersing themselves in different sporting cultures. It also fostered personal growth, friendships, and a deeper appreciation of how financial and physical environments shape sports training.

Through this initiative, both Leeds City College and Gymnasium Ernestinum Celle have strengthened their international ties, paving the way for future collaborations that promote cross-cultural learning and development in sports education.

This project was made possible through funding from UK-German Connection.