Profile
Stefan Molsner
I’m involved in sport, working as a coach and coordinator of youth leisure activities. At the same time, I offer club members support when they face difficulties with public authorities, such as the Jobcentre or the housing benefit office.
That’s why I’m involved
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been part of a family where helping one another was simply a given. I suppose I’ve taken that as my guiding principle. It gives me great pleasure to see how young people, in particular, tend to develop positively when given the right support.
What gives me the greatest pleasure
I’m delighted to see that my involvement is helping to improve young people’s lives. To give a specific example: one of our trainers, who comes from a disadvantaged background, has now completed a teacher training degree in Tübingen, and we’re still in close contact.
This is what my work involves
I do a lot of technical training in the sports hall – when young people come along and say they can’t do something, it spurs me on to change their mindset so that they realise they’re learning something and improving in every training session. The key is applying this to everyday life!
First of all, you need to realise that you can’t change anyone. However, if someone doesn’t know how to develop further, a bit of help might enable them to learn how to do so for themselves. It takes patience and trust in the other person, as well as a willingness to adapt your own beliefs and opinions. You shouldn’t do it to gain something for yourself, but for the sake of the person you’re working with. When the changes then become apparent and the other person recognises them and contributes to them themselves, it’s a great feeling.
This is where I get involved
DJK Sportbund Stuttgart is a table tennis club that places great emphasis on youth work. The focus is not primarily on competitive sport, but on the personal development of children and young people. Ideally, they will remain with the club even after they have left their youth years, getting involved as team captains or on the youth committee to support the next generation.
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