Steinmühle is officially the “State Training Center for Para Rowing”

The Hessian Association for Sports for People with Disabilities and Rehabilitation (HBRS) took advantage of the Steinmühle’s major sports festival on Friday, June 28, and the presence of its sports partners at the event to officially designate Steinmühle as a “State Training Center for Para Rowing.” HBRS President Heinz Wagner presented the official award in front of the Steinmühle boathouse to rowing instructor and coach Martin Strohmenger, who had been instrumental in driving this development forward with the support and backing of Steinmühle Managing Director Dirk Konnertz (in the background). The plaque now complements the existing sign reading “Steinmühle Inclusive Water Sports Center,” which was officially unveiled exactly one year ago at the summer festival of the “Rudern und Sport Steinmühle” club. Both of Steinmühle’s designations are closely linked to its partner, blista, the German Institute for the Blind in Marburg. For years now, inclusive rowing involving sighted and visually impaired rowers has been a vibrant and successful program. Their joint inclusive water sports program also includes canoeing. Other sports for people with physical disabilities are offered jointly as well. On the same day, blista received the official designation “State Training Center for Goalball, Para Judo, and Blind Soccer” from the HBRS president.

Together with several visually impaired and sighted athletes, Steinmühle, blista, and guests celebrated the awards and paid tribute to them: blista Board Member Patrick Temmesfeld, City Councilwoman and Head of the Sports Department Kirsten Dinnebier, Björn Backes, head of the City of Marburg’s Sports Department, blista Principal Peter Audretsch, Steinmühle Principal Björn Gemmer, Michael Neirich, rowing coordinator at Steinmühle, Janosch Briel, sports coordinator at blista; and Claus Duncker, finance director of RuS Steinmühle and former blista board member.