Two former volunteers talk about their special year: “I would do it again and again”

World-class gymnast Malik Diakité and Mareike Heinze, part of the “Feuerwerk der Turnkunst” team, both did their voluntary service in sport (FWD) after graduating from high school in 2018. Five years later, they look back on their very special year and reveal how the FWD helped them on their path to “growing up”. 

Hey you two, where did you do your voluntary service in sport?  

Malik: I completed my FWD in sport at the Lower Saxony Athletics Association in the office in Hanover. After graduating from high school in 2018, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do and wanted to find my way around for a while. The year as a federal volunteer made this possible for me. I moved to Hanover especially for this.  

Mareike: I also did my FWD in sport after graduating from high school in 2018 - at the LOTTO sports boarding school in Hanover. It was similar for me: I wasn't quite sure what direction I wanted to take professionally and wanted a bit of variety after my long time at school - and, very importantly, I wanted to do something with people. 

To what extent did the FWD in sport help you with your career orientation?  

Malik: I used to play competitive sports, I trained much more intensively during the FWD and only then did I move in the direction of competitive sport. The FWD was crucial in enabling me to concentrate more on sport and train under better conditions. 

Mareike: I've always done gymnastics and wanted to continue training under good conditions. The year showed me that I wanted to stay in sport in the future - the sports science industry or the training industry. This idea became even stronger during the FWD. I am currently doing a dual study program at Turn- und Sportfördergesellschaft mbH, the marketing company of the Lower Saxony Gymnastics Federation.  

Why would you recommend the voluntary service in sport to other young people?  

Malik: The year helped me to find my way into an independent life and to organize my own everyday life. For me, it was a step towards independence - also in connection with moving out. In this one year, you get to know a lot of different areas, including in the exciting seminars. These are real highlights that I still look back on fondly - even though it was a while ago.  

Mareike: I can definitely recommend it to others. When you're at school, you don't know the rhythm of work - you only get to know that during the FWD. You get to know so many cool people through the seminars, I really enjoyed the interactive aspect. We had our final seminar at the Lower Saxony Sports Youth camp on the island of Langeoog. Good weather, lots of nice people with a connection to sport. It was a lot of fun: I would do it again and again!