{"id":43436,"date":"2026-03-15T19:59:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T18:59:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.steinmuehle.de\/blog\/2026\/03\/15\/sports-at-steinmuehle-strengthening-tradition-breaking-new-ground\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T07:32:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T05:32:58","slug":"sports-at-steinmuehle-strengthening-tradition-breaking-new-ground","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/steinmuehle.de\/en\/blog\/2026\/03\/15\/sports-at-steinmuehle-strengthening-tradition-breaking-new-ground\/","title":{"rendered":"Sports at Steinm\u00fchle: Strengthening Tradition, Breaking New Ground"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Horseback riding, rowing, team sports, and an ever-growing number of partnerships: The sports program at Steinm\u00fchle School & Boarding School has evolved significantly in recent years. Modernized facilities, a growing team, and numerous projects ensure that physical activity has a firm place in the students\u2019 daily school life\u2014and will continue to be expanded in the future. <\/p>\n

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Steinm\u00fchle has always been known for its wide range of sports programs: established equestrian programs, professional rowing instruction, and successes that have even led to Olympic participation. Tennis has long been played on the school\u2019s own courts, ball sports\u2014including beach volleyball\u2014are played along the Lahn River, and strength training is offered even during the winter months. But even good things can be made even better, explains Marcel Kalb, head of school sports, organizer of many training sessions, and coordinator of partnerships with other clubs. <\/p>\n

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Modern Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n

At this point, we\u2019ve already reached a stage where things have expanded considerably compared to about ten to 15 years ago. Compared to back then, the infrastructure has been modernized and significantly expanded. A renovated boathouse, a large second sports hall, and a modernized existing hall are now available for rowing equipment and indoor sports. The selection of sports equipment is also being continuously expanded. The selection in the weight room already gives a good idea of what this looks like. <\/p>\n

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More People for Sports<\/strong><\/p>\n

The development of the sports program was a process\u2014both in terms of infrastructure and staffing. The faculty in the Sports Department has now grown to 17 teachers, with one educator from the boarding school and three FSJ volunteers providing support in various roles. \u201cWe\u2019re also in contact with the departments of Sports Science and Motology at Philipps University in Marburg,\u201d reports Marcel Kalb. <\/p>\n

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No Grades in Physical Education for Grades 5\u20138<\/strong><\/p>\n

Promoting physical activity is a top priority at Steinm\u00fchle. For example, there are extracurricular programs such as rowing trips and ski trips, and students have the option to choose the sports track in 11th grade\u2014the so-called \u201cE-Phase\u201d of upper secondary school. One unique feature is also worth mentioning: In grades 5 through 8, no numerical grades are given in physical education. \u201cWe believe that a numerical grade cannot reflect the diversity of sports and the associated assessment of student performance. For this reason, we strive to provide differentiated and meaningful feedback on performance in physical education classes,\u201d explains the school\u2019s physical education director. <\/p>\n

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Para-sports are part of the program<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks to partnerships with other clubs, the range of sports offered at Steinm\u00fchle School & Boarding School is virtually limitless. While some Steinm\u00fchle teachers offer sports such as fencing out of personal interest, traditional sports like volleyball, basketball, and soccer are already part of the regular program. The new, spacious sports hall enables Steinm\u00fchle\u2014which is already a Paralympic training center for rowing\u2014to now also offer wheelchair basketball as a team sport. <\/p>\n

On Mondays, inclusive soccer is also held: A few years ago, the Unified Team began regular training in cooperation with the local sports club, SF Blau-Gelb Marburg. At the time, Egon Vaupel, chairman of the sponsoring association Steinm\u00fchle Marburg e. V., had been a particularly strong advocate for the formation of this team. <\/p>\n

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New School Structure Model Opens Up Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Kalb, the school\u2019s athletic director, the school is seeking further partnerships with other clubs. He has in mind extracurricular activities such as track and field, gymnastics, and swimming. \u201cThe new school restructuring model set to be implemented in the future will open up great opportunities in this regard.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Keeping an eye on competitive sports<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marcel Kalb also keeps an eye on competitive sports and cites, for example, the volleyball club and the elective volleyball classes (WU) for grades 5 and 6, as well as the gymnastics program offered as part of \u201cYouth Training for the Olympics,\u201d in which five female students performed exceptionally well. His credo: \u201cSports and achievement go hand in hand. And that\u2019s what we encourage.\u201d <\/p>\n

In addition, a two-hour-per-week upper-school sports program is offered to students across all grade levels. Marcel Kalb oversees the program, but the students also organize many activities on their own, thereby creating self-directed spaces for physical activity and training. <\/p>\n

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Getting to know each other in two ways<\/strong><\/p>\n

For several years now, Steinm\u00fchle has also been holding sports project days during the last week of school, says Kalb, who has been working at Steinm\u00fchle for seven years. The additional sports days in May are for grades 5 through 10 and include rowing, running finals, and other disciplines. In addition, Steinm\u00fchle has held\u2014and plans to continue holding\u2014a sports festival during the last week of school. Partnering sports clubs and physical education students from the university are also invited to this event. In addition to promoting physical activity, the festival serves as an opportunity for participants to get to know one another\u2014both among the athletes themselves and through exposure to other sports programs. <\/p>\n

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Fitness Programs for Faculty<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOur day-to-day work is becoming increasingly complex, so we also need to ensure that our staff gets enough exercise,\u201d adds Marcel Kalb. At this point, he brings up the \u201cStoneFIT\u201d program\u2014an initiative designed to promote physical activity specifically for employees. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe can be proud of the opportunities we have,\u201d Marcel Kalb sums up. But he adds that they haven\u2019t reached the finish line yet: \u201c\u2026 there\u2019s still more to come.\u201d <\/p>\n

He also mentions the lively break in the gym that comes with the cell phone ban. Led by a volunteer doing a year of voluntary social service (FSJ), grades 5 and 6 are active during the first long break, and grades 7 and 8 during the second long break. \u201cIf you curb the urge to play digital games, you have to offer other alternatives\u2014ones that promote health through sports and physical activity.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Sports are part of school culture<\/strong><\/p>\n

Steinm\u00fchle does not see its future as limited to its own offerings. \u201cWe also like to take a look at what public schools are doing and try to adopt the best practices.\u201d <\/p>\n

This makes it clear: At Steinm\u00fchle, physical education is much more than just a school subject. It is part of the school\u2019s culture\u2014driven by dedication, collaboration, and the shared goal of sustainably promoting physical activity, health, team spirit, and a drive to excel. <\/p>\n

(Angela Heinemann\/Photos: Steinm\u00fchle Archive)<\/em><\/p>\n

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