The Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) can once again announce positive development figures at the start of the 2019/20 season: In the past two years, the number of players in the U12 age group has increased from 6.334 to 7.264 active players. The number of boys increased by 14 percent (from 5.735 to 6.516) - among girls the number of active players increased by 25 percent (from 599 to 748). The total number of active ice hockey players in Germany also continues to develop positively and has increased by seven percent.
Young talent concepts and sporting successes as the basis for positive development
With “POWERPLAY 26” and “We are Ice Hockey” as the central young talent projects of the DEB, important milestones have been set in German ice hockey in recent years. On the one hand, the support and talent promotion of the member clubs shows DEB big impact in the area of sporting success, as was clearly visible in the promotion of the U20 and U18 national teams to the respective top division last year.
On the other hand, the “We are Ice Hockey” campaigns made it possible to reach the important target group of young people interested in ice hockey and it is now easier than ever for beginners to find entry into a suitable club. The trainers are then particularly responsible for accompanying the first steps in ice hockey. For their training, the DEB New concepts were developed and the training upgraded through cooperation with specialized knowledge providers as well as further “blended learning” modules.
It's not just the constant sporting progress that has long been evident. Standards such as integration, diversity and equality are at the forefront of every action and pave the way to a promising future.
The “Urmel badge” as a future milestone
As a further milestone, the Urmel badge will be presented for the 2019/20 season DEB brought to life. Based on well-known sports badges – such as the “Seahorse” in swimming – the Urmel badge is an award in ice hockey that is intended to make it easier for children under ten years of age to get started in the sport. In three playful test elements, the children learn the basic movement sequences of ice hockey. After successful completion, the children receive the Urmel badge.
The new project is intended to be integrated as an integral part of the running schools of all young talent clubs in the long term. The Urmel badge provides a targeted incentive to teach children about the sport of ice hockey, to accompany them in their first steps on the ice and then to lead them to a young talent club. In connection with “We are ice hockey”, the Urmel badge is offered a platform, regardless of game operation or association affiliation. The smaller clubs in Germany in particular should have the opportunity to do so DEB to be promoted and to significantly increase their awareness.
You can find more information at www.wir-sind-eishockey.de/urmel-abzeichen
Franz Reindl, DEB-President: “POWERPLAY 26 works. I am particularly pleased that German ice hockey was obviously able to capitalize on the momentum of the national teams' successes, especially the silver medal win at PyeongChang 2018, the Champions Hockey League appearances of the DEL clubs and the large number of top players in the NHL. We are on a very good path.”
Stefan Schaidnagel, DEB-Sports Director: “The effects of the structural reform through POWERPLAY 26 are beginning to bear fruit. Certainly recent successes – the promotion of the Young Talent national teams and the silver medal win in PyeongChang – have contributed to the recovery. Nevertheless, we must all continue to intensify our efforts to improve our sport so that the positive path can continue.”