In this STAY! Interview, we talk with Steffi, a dedicated coach and referee from TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who brings her passion for fistball to life both on and off the field. Through her role in the STAY project, Steffi focused on creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes to develop confidence, leadership, and a sense of responsibility by stepping into the role of referee
What is your role at TSV and what does your sport mean to you?
I work in the children and youth sports department at TSV – both in the office and in the gym. I’ve been playing fistball for many years. It’s more than just a sport to me, it’s a big part of my life.
What was your role in the STAY project?
I led a referee workshop for our younger fistball players. It was important to me that they not only learned the rules, but also took on responsibility early — and experienced how empowering that can be.
This workshop gave young players a new perspective on the game — not just as athletes, but as decision-makers and leaders. For me, it was about building trust, responsibility, and self-confidence.
What impressed you most during the project?
Seeing how confident the kids became. Some of them were very shy at first, but by the end, they were leading games and making clear decisions on the field. That transformation was amazing to watch.
What message would you give to other clubs?
Give young people the chance to be more than just athletes. Trust them — they’ll grow from it. There are so many different roles in a club that young people can take on if we let them. We just need to create space for them to try.
Why Steffi’s story matters
Steffi’s experience shows the power of trusting young people with responsibility. By guiding them into leadership roles like refereeing, she helped them discover strengths they might not have seen in themselves. This is exactly what the STAY project is all about — supporting young people to grow, lead, and stay connected to sport in meaningful ways.
