Presenter Julia Scharf
“It’s so important to get kids interested in sports”
© SOS Children’s Villages eV/ Sandra Lüdeke
We know her as a sports presenter, but Julia Scharf has other passions as well: As an ambassador for the SOS Children’s Village, she helps disadvantaged children.
Sports presenter Julia Scharf knows how important exercise is at a young age. As a mother of two daughters, she supports children in Germany who cannot grow up as carefree as her own: she has been active for the SOS Children’s Villages Association for years. It is particularly important to her that disadvantaged children are introduced to sports and healthy eating. The health consequences of a lack of exercise can be serious.
BRIGITTE: Studies show that children from low-income families in particular do little exercise. What kind of offers would you like to make sports possible for these children?
Julia Sharp: Basically, I would like to see more commitment from politicians in kindergartens and schools in order to anchor exercise and sport in everyday life. These are the institutions where all the children come together – regardless of their class and background. Especially in elementary school and kindergarten age, the desire to exercise is shaped.
Since the pandemic, children have been moving even less than before. How can you get them excited about the sport again?
School and daycare are the perfect interface to get to the children early. But in order to inspire children to exercise, you also have to involve the parents. A good opportunity can be, for example, action days and information sheets, or to address the topic again and again at parents’ evenings. Studies show that older children find it difficult to get back into exercise if there was a lack of exercise at a young age. The chances of stopping the onset of obesity are slim. Working preventively here is much more effective.
And outside of school and kindergarten?
Low-income families are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the fees for sports clubs. There should be funding for this so that movement is not a question of money. Or, to make it as uncomplicated as possible: the kindergartens would have to work together with the sports clubs.
You have been an ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages for years. Why is this so important to you?
Because it’s about children who have already been through a lot and had to endure a lot. And I think the concept is great because the focus is on helping people to help themselves. Families who find themselves in difficult situations can get the help and support they need there.
Once a year, Julia Scharf organizes a Summer Olympics in the SOS Children’s Village in Thuringia
© SOS Children’s Villages eV/ Sandra Lüdeke
For many, the hurdle to getting involved in voluntary work is high. Do you have a tip for people who don’t really dare to do it?
In my work as a children’s trainer in the ski club, I notice that fewer and fewer people decide to volunteer. A lot of people say it’s just too much for them and I can understand that too. But there are now good concepts, such as tandem bindings. You can form couples or family sponsorships: if one cannot, the other can.
Job, children, voluntary work: How do you manage to incorporate sporting activities into the full everyday family life?
We have always been an active family, for whom sport plays an important role in everyday life. We like to go cycling or hiking. Now in autumn we go for long walks and collect chestnuts. You don’t have to do competitive sports straight away. Even cycling short distances or walking instead of always taking the car or public transport – that’s enough. It’s actually like everything else: just set an example.
What would you make possible for all the children in the world if you could?
Peace and enough food for all. Sport and exercise are also very important, but peaceful coexistence is paramount. That’s why I’m so involved in sports. Working together, mutual support, not hating your opponent but respecting them and getting better together: these are values that sport conveys.