Phonak 2017 soccer camp for children with hearing loss

The event, which is being hosted by Phonak and Bundesliga youth team player Simon Ollert, will take place in Ettal, Germany, over five days (June 14–18). The aim is to help even more young soccer enthusiasts with hearing loss make progress in their personal development.

Simon Ollert, 20, is the only athlete with profound hearing loss playing professional soccer in any of the German-speaking countries. He will be training up to 45 children between the ages of 10 and 14 from Germany and other European countries. Attendance at the camp has been organized in close cooperation with leading pediatric audiologists.

Team spirit and soccer fever

In response to the success of the last camp, the event has been extended from two-and-a-half days to a total of five, allowing Phonak, Simon Ollert and the team of trainers to devote even more time to promoting the personal and sporting growth of the young soccer fans – and even more children with hearing loss will have an opportunity to attend the camp. Professionally run training units will help foster team spirit, impart “feel” for the ball and develop other soccer skills.

There is a similar focus on cultivating a sense of community in the action-packed supplementary schedule, which includes outdoor activities and many other highlights. There will also be ample opportunity to quiz Simon Ollert on his life as a professional soccer player and plenty of time to compare notes.

Hearing aid “life hacks” for children

Just as last year, one of Phonak’s pediatric audiology experts will be on hand throughout the event to give parents and children advice. She will be answering questions and passing on valuable “life hacks” for hearing aid handling in the context of school, sport and leisure.

“Last year’s soccer camp for children with hearing loss was a complete success,” confirms Thomas Lang, Senior Vice President Phonak Marketing. “We are delighted to be able to continue this successful scheme with Simon Ollert on an even larger scale, giving even more children a chance to take part in a unique event. By pioneering such initiatives, Phonak can make an active contribution towards improving the quality of life of children with hearing loss.”

The soccer camp is close to Simon Ollert’s heart: “My own story shows just what you can achieve despite hearing loss. Ever since I can remember, I have dreamt of being a professional soccer player. It’s wonderful that Phonak is helping me to turn this unique sporting event into a reality – it’s allowing us to motivate and encourage children and young people so they can follow their dreams in life with the same determination.”

The atmosphere at the last camp has been captured in a video clip.