Abstract

In response to an alarming increase in juvenile violence in certain problem districts in Hamburg such as Steilshoop and Wilhelmsburg, television anchorman Reinhold Beckmann launched the “Nestwerk” [“Nest-work”] initiative in 1999. The initiative provides young people with free access to various sports and leisure activities in the hopes of counteracting the negative effects of poverty and neglect. It also aims to give children of migrants a rare opportunity to integrate. Since 2002, the initiative has successfully organized various street soccer tournaments for children and youths in different Hamburg districts. Held under the motto “Street Soccer for Tolerance,” the tournaments focus not only on athletic achievement, but also on fair play and respect.