Helping refugee children integrate through sport

The photograoh really says it all, but here is the background to it.

According to Daniel Frischkopf, the trainer of the junior team of FC Cham, initially, Mohamed of Syria (on the right in the photograph) was rather quiet and reserved, but always had a smile on his face when he turned up to training. It was when he was presented with his own kit by Urs Brantschen, the youth coordinator of the club, that the young boy almost cried with joy.

The club had mentioned how the boy had been displaced with his family, firstly in their own country and then in Jordan. It was two years ago now that he had arrived here in Switzerland with his family, the Punkto Zug organisation instrumental in putting the two boys in the family in touch with the football club in Cham. “Of course,” as Frischkopf further explained, “the brothers had played in Syria but only on the streets, not with any proper infrastructure or kit, which is why they were both very impressed when they saw the facilities we at FC Cham enjoy.

“Mohamed understands a lot but he still does not speak much,” said Brantschen, adding how there were others who trained there who did not speak much German, either, young boys and men who came from 31 different countries. It is a similar situation at FC Aegeri, where 30 different nations are represented, and even as many as 40 at Baar. Not one of the clubs said there had been any problems on account of the differing cultural backgrounds, though naturally the odd difference in opinion is expressed.

As Peter Imholz, the junior trainer at FC Aegeri explained, it was only natural that the children of refugees were more reserved at the beginning, not least on account of the language barrier, not all of them turning up at the right time at the right place. He noted how their parents did not seem interested in their children’s sporting activities, hardly ever showing up to watch, for example. He has also tried to encourage them to take some interest, by suggesting they might bake a cake for the team, though such initiative always comes from him. Nevertheless, team sport is very good for the boys and they appreciate being involved.

Urs Buob of FC Baar has noted similar attitudes at his club. “If you are a member in a team, you need to adhere to certain rules relating to training discipline and such like, respect and reliability being of core importance.” And it was in this regard he noticed big differences, though not necessarily linked to nationality. “We treat them all the same but expect each in turn to do their stuff. We realise it is not possible for all parents to offer lifts, but it would be nice if they helped out in other ways. We are used to the multi-cultural make-up of the team and we are also pleased how the local authority appreciates all we do.”

As the chairman of the Zug United Unihockey Club, Patrick Trachsel, explained, they are not accepting any more young hopefuls at present, so strong has been the interest of late. “There is not so much interest from the children of refugees here,” he explained, though we do have a few children from Sri Lanka. There is no-one from Syria or Eritrea, street hockey not being so popular there. It is more northern Europeans, Scandinavians, for example, who show an interest. Not that we are not open to others. He also felt team sports helped in integration, with cost, as with football, not really a problem, “You only need kit and a stick,” he concluded.