During a ceremony, District Administrator Christoph Gerwers honored numerous active people in the fields of sport and volunteering from all over the district. "Today, for the first time, we are honoring sportswomen and sportsmen from the Kleve district for their special sporting successes as well as citizens for their outstanding voluntary work in the district," said District Administrator Gerwers, welcoming the 130 or so guests. In addition to the honorees, their families and friends, numerous mayors and members of the district council also attended the event in the Weezer Bürgerhaus. "Sport is a mirror of life," said District Administrator Gerwers, introducing the tribute to the successful athletes. "It shows what is possible with commitment, discipline and perseverance. Tonight we are honoring people who inspire us with their sporting ambition - and who make the district of Kleve proud and well-known far beyond its borders."
Silver sport awards
Two teams received the silver sports award with certificates and medals. Vivien Joosten, Klara Meierzuherde, Anna Michalik, Kai Schaffers and Tim Schaffers from the school team of the "Falke" Kervenheim-Kevelaer cycling club were recognized as runners-up at the German School Championships in 4-man unicycling in 2024.
Franziska Driessen, Marie Billion and Franka Janßen from the 1st team of the Schießsport-Gemeinschaft Kevelaer 2005 also received the silver award as German air rifle champions for the years 2020 to 2023.
Gold sport awards
Regine Mispelkamp from Geldern received the gold award for her achievements in para-dressage at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris (bronze with the team and 2 x silver in the individual competition).
Silke Thissen from Kleve also received a gold award for her achievements in bowling at the 2024 World Championships (2 x gold and 1 x silver).
Rebecca Verlage from Cologne received the Kleve District Gold Award for her achievements in vaulting as Team World Champion 2022, as her sporting career began at the Verein für Voltigiersport Kalkar e.V. vaulting club.
Sport shooter Anna Janßen from the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer also receives the gold award, among other things for her 1st place at the 2022 World Championships, 1st place at the German Championships and 4th place in the mixed at the 2024 Olympic Games. As she is currently preparing for upcoming competitions at the Olympic Training Center in southern Germany, Lambert Janhsen, 1st Chairman of SSG Kevelaer, accepted the award on Anna Janßen's behalf.
Due to her participation in the world's largest junior shooting competition in Thuringia, Hannah Wehren from Uedem was also unable to accept her gold award in person, which she received for her achievements as German champion, multiple European team champion and team runner-up at the World Championships.
Michelle Kroppen from Jena also receives her gold sports award by post for her achievements in archery at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (silver in mixed). The development work was carried out by the Walbeck 1990 sports and archery club.
Hundreds of years of voluntary work honored
"In addition to the sporting 'highlights', the district of Kleve stands out with a second, equally large group of people who selflessly put their creative energy and commitment into the foundation of our community: volunteering," said District Administrator Gerwers, introducing the awards in this area. "Without volunteering, many things would simply not be possible in our towns and villages. Volunteering means taking on responsibility, giving time, investing your heart and soul - without any material reward. They have all been doing this for decades. You tackle things where others spend a long time discussing. I am proud to be at the head of a group that is home to so many of these people - and who I am honoring today on behalf of so many other volunteers." Eleven people received a medal and a certificate for their decades of commitment to volunteering.
Gerd Aengenheister from Kranenburg was honored for his many years of service to the running club at Reichswald and the seven springs - today: Leichtathletik Nütterden.
Bernd-Michael Dressler from Bedburg-Hau received the award for his more than 20 years of service as Chairman of the Funkturm Hau carnival society.
For more than 60 years (!), Horst Johann from Goch has been the managing director and trainer of the Adler Goch athletics club, for which he received the award from the Kleve district.
Thomas Roosen from Issum was honored for his 25 years of service as 1st Chairman of TV 1909 Sevelen.
A total of four active members of the "Falke" Kervenheim-Kevelaer cycling club were honored for their voluntary work. Angelika Achten, who was unable to attend at short notice, has been the club's 1st chairwoman for 24 years. Richard Kretschmer has been training the cyclists for more than 47 years. Adelgunde Kretschmer has been the club's treasurer for 38 years. And Birgit Schaffers has been managing the cycling club for 24 years.
Robin Schumann from Bedburg-Hau is also active in cycling. He received the award for his 45 years of service as a trainer and sports director in cycling - including with the cycling department of DJK Kellen, SV Donsbrüggen and the Kleverland cycling community.
Stefan van de Kamer from Kleve was honored for his 42 years of commitment as youth manager and youth coach at the Klever Kegel Sport Gemeinschaft 71.
Albert van Heukelom from Emmerich am Rhein has been the first chairman of Eintracht Emmerich 09/20 for 42 years.
Unfortunately, Bettina Trenckmann from Kleve, who was honored for her 25 years of service as chairwoman of the AWO district association in Kleve, was unable to attend.
Equilibristrik Trio from Duisburg and cozy snack
The "Sport and Volunteering Award" from the Kleve district was rounded off by the equilibristics trio from the "Fliegenden Homberger" show squad from Duisburg under the direction of Ronja Dortelmann, who impressed the guests with their body control and grace. The event of the Kleve district in Weeze ended with numerous congratulations and a cozy snack.
Source: District of Kleve