"VNG moves your club" – VNG launches initiative to promote grassroots sport in Saxony

With the new "VNG moves your club" initiative, VNG AG, with the support of the Saxony Sports Association, is making a specific commitment to grassroots and amateur sport in Saxony. The aim is to actively contribute to promoting a large number of sports clubs in the federal state of Saxony and to support club projects, such as the organisation of sporting events or the purchase of jerseys and other training equipment. 

The application phase starts on 1 August and runs for a total of eight weeks. Sports clubs in Saxony can apply for a grant of EUR 500 per club using an online form at www.vng.de/deinverein. The sports clubs that will receive funding are then selected by means of a selection process. The focus is on social added value, the effectiveness of the measures in the club and a balanced distribution of grants within the region.

"Sport is a cornerstone of our society. It connects generations, promotes cohesion and creates spaces for engagement and participation. With the "VNG moves your club" initiative, we not only want to strengthen grassroots sport as a partner for the region, but also show our solidarity with the people of Saxony. Sports clubs make an invaluable contribution to community, promote health and strengthen togetherness across all ages and backgrounds – and for this reason they are deserving of our wholehearted support. This initiative underlines our social commitment and is perfectly reflected in our new claim "VNG – Energy. On the move.", says Bodo Rodestock, VNG Executive Board member for Finance and Human Resources.

Ambassadors from the world of elite sport

In addition, ten active and former top athletes from the federal state of Saxony are supporting the "VNG moves your club" initiative. As ambassadors, they are committed to promoting sport in Saxony and at the same time to their own sports clubs. Over the next few weeks, these athletes will draw attention to the start of the application phase for the VNG initiative on Instagram: 

• Denise Herrmann-Wick (former biathlete and cross-country skier, gold & double bronze at the 2014 and 2022 Winter Olympics, gold at the 2019 and 2023 World Championships, WSC Erzgebirge Oberwiesenthal)
• Martin Schulz (triathlete, double gold at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Paralympics, gold at the 2016 World Championships, SC DHfK Leipzig)
• Katharina Hennig-Dotzler (cross-country skier, gold & silver at the 2022 Winter Olympics, silver at the 2023 World Championships, WSC Erzgebirge Oberwiesenthal)
• Axel Jungk (skeleton athlete, silver at the 2022 Winter Olympics, gold at the 2015 to 2017 World Championships, Dresdner SC 1898)
• Max Hoppe (former competitive acrobat, World Championship bronze medallist 2012, 27-time German champion, BC-Eintracht Leipzig 02) & Leni Scherenberger (competitive acrobat, fourth at the 2019 European Championships, 4-time German champion; as a mixed pair with Max Hoppe: gold at Las Vegas Acro Cup 2022, BC-Eintracht Leipzig 02)
• Marek Ulrich (swimmer, 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, 6-time German champion, SSG Leipzig) & David Thomasberger (swimmer, 2020 Summer Olympics, 9-time German champion, SSG Leipzig)
• Saskia Oettinghaus (acrobatic, tower and synchronised diver, seventh at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Dresdner SC 1898)
• Jessica Schlegel (gymnast, World Cup gold 2023, TuG Leipzig)

Social commitment is part of VNG's DNA

As an energy group based in Leipzig with a company history stretching back over 65 years, VNG is deeply rooted in its home region and has been involved in a wide range of initiatives and support programmes promoting education, culture, social affairs and social cohesion for many years. The focus is on projects that have a lasting impact, connect people and strengthen voluntary participation. The commitment extends far beyond the Leipzig region and is intended to strengthen eastern Germany economically and socially.