Carolin Gaffron: “Football can do a lot of good and promote social integration”

Recreational sports are incredibly important for social interaction and a healthy psyche - the Corona pandemic has recently proven this more than clearly. But bureaucratic processes, high costs and language barriers pose major hurdles for young refugees who want to join a sports club and exclude them from these meeting spaces. This is precisely why Carolin Gaffron co-founded the Champions Without Borders association almost ten years ago, which is committed to a sustainable welcoming culture for refugees in Germany with easily accessible football and sports activities. In the interview, Caro tells us why sports activities are so important for refugees, why clubs urgently need to rethink their approach and what changes she has observed in the players over the years.

What does Champions Without Borders do? What was the idea behind the founding of the organization?

As Champions Without Borders, we offer open, free and therefore low-threshold sports opportunities, especially for refugees. We have been around since 2014 and we were founded back then because these offers did not yet exist and we noticed that many people who arrive here and want to do sports, but do not know where and how they can do it. They spend a lot of time at home in their accommodation, but sport is a good way to promote and support social integration.

And how did you come up with the idea of ​​the club and its actual founding? What is your connection to football?

I am a former footballer myself and have always believed that you can do a lot of good with football and promote social integration through sport. I always wanted to do that in my own club - and that's how it came about.

What hurdles do refugees face when they want to join a sports club in Germany? What social inequalities exist?

I think the biggest challenge is the language - especially when it comes to finding the courses. It is difficult even for people who speak German to find all the courses, as websites are often not up to date and it is not clear if and when the training courses are taking place. You don't know if you can just go and who you should contact. And then there are language barriers and many people may not even dare to go to the training courses.

Another problem is that many refugees do not know any sports clubs from their home countries, as there are usually only professional sports there and no recreational sports. This means that they do not even know that it is possible to play sports in a club without being a professional.

Money is also a hurdle, of course. You need football boots and sportswear and have to pay membership fees. Many people don't even know that they can get support for this. Clubs, for example, support people under 27 - but that's simply a gap in information. We are in the position to be the link between refugees and the club. We are not a traditional sports club, but an NGO and do not play in the game. We try to mediate, accompany and educate clubs: what costs will you incur, what do you have to do for your player's pass, what needs to be organized? This presents many challenges.

Added to this is the reality of life for refugees. Clubs expect people to come regularly and on time. Many people who have just come to Germany have completely different worries; they have to go to offices, have appointments and may not be able to come to training. Unfortunately, this is often met with a lack of understanding at regular clubs.

How could these hurdles be simplified? What would you as an association like to see from official authorities?

I think in general, traditional clubs need to create offers that are more open and flexible - not just for refugees, but for everyone. With Corona, we have also seen that exercise is super important for children and young people, but many now live in a completely different world than was perhaps the case in the past.

In addition, more focus must be placed on cooperation and networks. Who would respond to a simple notice in a foreign country written in a language they don't understand? You need people you trust, who speak the language and who will take you by the hand.

What services can refugees use? What is the process?

Often the refugees already know someone else who plays in our club. They can then simply come to training and get started. Others may find out about us through our website or write us an email - this usually happens through guardians or carers. We then inform them and call on those interested to simply come to training - at the beginning just as they are, in street clothes and without any other preparations. The rest will then happen naturally.

Why do you think accessible sports opportunities are so important? What changes do you notice in people who join a club?

First and foremost, it is important that they can make friends here and come into contact with other people. Getting out, getting some fresh air and moving around - this is really important for the psyche and helps people who have had traumatic experiences. We speak German in training and work with interpreters, which helps tremendously with learning the language and communication. Many have been here for years and come back again at some point - whether regularly or irregularly to training sessions or events.

So the biggest factor is the social aspect.

We also notice that the women become more self-confident over time through training. Many of them were not able or allowed to play football in their home countries - the training has a positive effect on their self-confidence over time, especially among Muslim women.

How can people support your organization other than with donations?

There are two ways: Donations are very welcome. Financial resources are always needed to pay coaches, buy materials, provide food, etc. We have employees, an administration, all of this has to be paid for and often this cannot be covered by grants alone, so donations are always welcome. But: You are always welcome to get involved yourself. We are always looking for coaches and fellow players who just kick around from time to time, you can support us at events or join the board. We are always happy to have lovely people who want to support our mission.

A long-term supporter of Champions Without Borders is the Hertha BSC football club, which has been supporting sports for refugees for several years. We at share also work with the capital city club. Whenever you order water at the Olympic Stadium, you get the water from share and thus support the construction of wells for clean drinking water in Sierra Leone . But Theresa Hentschel-Boese, the head of the Corporate Social Responsibility department at Hertha BSC, tells you more about these important partnerships.