Goddelau outdoor swimming pool becomes a stage for sporting achievements and special commitment
Around 80 children and teenagers were honored for their outstanding achievements in 2025 at this year's youth sports awards ceremony in the town of Riedstadt. More than 200 guests, including families, coaches, and club representatives, came to the Goddelau outdoor swimming pool, where the ceremony was held for the first time on the large sunbathing lawn.
Mayor Marcus Kretschmann and City Council Chairman Guido Funk presented medals, certificates, and book vouchers. They praised the wide variety of sports represented and the remarkable achievements of the young athletes.
A wide range of sports are represented
The honorees came from various fields, including motorboat slalom, tennis, karate, athletics, football, swimming, gymnastics, inline speed skating, table tennis, sport stacking, mountain biking, dancing, rope skipping and canoeing.
Awards were given to district champions and athletes with top placements at South Hessian, Hessian, South German and German championships.
Successes at the international level
Special recognition was given to rope skippers Philipp Sporleder and Florian Gehre from TV Crumstadt. Sporleder qualified for the Junior World Championships, and Gehre participated in the World Championships.
Riedstadt dancer Miriam Dalla Libera from SV Rot-Weiß Walldorf was also recognized for her seventh place at the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) World Championships.
Femke Rupf of SV Crumstadt also received a certificate for her participation in the Junior World Canoe Championships in Portugal and her selection for the German Junior National Team. Since she now trains primarily at the sports boarding school in Magdeburg, she was unable to accept the award in person.
The karate department of TSV Wolfskehlen was honored for numerous first, second and third places at the International Championship of the Shotokan Karate-Do Alliance International (SKAI) in Latvia.
Special award for young referees
Tobias Bäcker and Paul Quante of FC Germania Leeheim received special recognition. The two young athletes completed their training as football referees in early 2025 and also qualified as assistant referees. Despite their young age, they are already officiating in higher leagues, making a significant contribution to amateur football.
Demonstrations and a raffle provide variety
Between the awards ceremony, Tobias Menke from the city administration and sports coach Samer Chawaf presented the "Sport integrates Hesse" funding program. They also participated in honoring the TSV Goddelau football team.
Ben Bittner and Arne Rumpf from SKG Stockstadt provided entertainment with a speed stacking demonstration. The members of the dog sports club "Burning Dogs Riedstadt" also attracted considerable attention with their dog dancing and agility presentations.
The event concluded with a raffle. Prizes included an amusement park voucher for three people, a visit to the Miramar water park, and cinema vouchers for the Kinopolis cinema in Darmstadt.
Sporting achievements and voluntary work recognized
The youth sports awards ceremony once again showcased the wide range of sports in Riedstadt. In addition to outstanding competitive achievements, the event also focused on volunteer work and the promotion of young athletes.
(RIEDSTADT – RED/PSR)
Featured image: City council chairman Guido Funk also tried his hand at speed stacking. Coach Robert Sinkovic (left) explained the rules to the young professionals Ben Bittner and Arne Rupf.Photo : City of Riedstadt
