Allianz MoveNow Camp – Global Edition – unites young athletes from around the world

“Is that grass real?” asked one of the young athletes attending the second Allianz MoveNow Camp – Global Edition in disbelief.

“Yes, but I know what you mean,” the FC Bayern representative answers. “The color seems almost surreal but that is because this pitch is so highly maintained. It’s reserved for the first team, and after every training session it is mown and watered to ensure the optimal training conditions.”

The 30 young athletes were touring the legendary FC Bayern headquarters. There, they could peek behind the curtain and glimpse the lifestyles of one of the most successful football teams on the planet – and even meet some of the players, including João Palhinha, Aleksandar Pavlović and German captain Joshua Kimmich.

Allianz and FC Bayern recently concluded the second MoveNow Camp – Global Edition, held from September 12-16, 2024. This event welcomed 30 young athletes from Allianz affiliates from ten European and Asian countries, offering them an unforgettable experience that combined world-class training with the unique opportunity to engage with professional athletes.

The MoveNow Camp is more than a sports camp; it embodies Allianz’s commitment to promoting physical activity and reinforcing the unifying power of sports. This year’s participants, aged 14 to 16, were selected through Allianz-hosted programs in their local communities. They represent a diverse group of young talents, each with a unique story of dedication and perseverance in their respective sports.

Eva O'Gorman, a 16-year-old participant from Ireland, captured the sentiment shared by many of her peers: "This camp is so much bigger and better than I expected. Meeting and interacting with professional players so closely has been an amazing experience. I’ve loved catching up with kids from other countries, hearing their languages, and learning about their cultures. I hope to apply what I’ve learned in my football training back home. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity."

For many participants, the camp was more than just an athletic experience. It was a platform for cultural exchange, learning, and personal growth. Wen Han ‘Kevin’ Zhang, 16, from Shanghai, China, described his experience as “incredible” and highlighted the emotional impact of scoring a goal on the FC Bayern München practice pitch as a dream come true.

"Stepping onto the grass of the Allianz Arena, it’s motivating to be here with so many people from different cultures. You really feel the unifying power of sport."

The MoveNow program is a strategic response to the decline in youth sports participation in many parts of the world, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey commissioned by Allianz and the International Olympic Committee revealed that 54% of adolescents in Germany struggled to return to regular physical activity post-pandemic. This camp, and the broader MoveNow initiative, aim to re-engage young people with sports, helping them establish healthy routines and foster connections within their communities.

Daniela Bauer, Global Head of Partnerships at Allianz SE, emphasized the broader impact of the MoveNow program: “By providing a platform for young athletes to connect, grow, and learn from one another, the program fosters social unity, builds trust, and reinforces Allianz's dedication to social impact. The MoveNow Camp – Global Edition allows us to connect and collaborate with many of our markets who have the chance to use their local partnerships as activations and preparations for the global camp.”

The camp also served as a bridge between Allianz’s global and local initiatives. Katie Bradley, Sponsorship Executive from Allianz Ireland, spoke about how the camp complements local campaigns like ‘Stop the Drop,’ which aims to prevent children from dropping out of sports during critical transitions. "This camp is a fantastic extension of our work, offering kids the chance to improve their skills and dream even bigger," she noted.

For participants like Nadezhda ‘Nadja’ Todorova from Bulgaria, the camp provided life skills and guidance, in addition to sports training. Meeting Steffen Hamann, a former German national basketball player, particularly impacted her. "His advice about structuring time to balance school and training is exactly what I needed to hear,” she said, highlighting the importance of mentorship in developing young athletes.

Roza Sesartić, 14, highlighted the value of the camp’s global reach. "The highlight for me has been the atmosphere. We’ve had so much fun, and I’ve learned a lot about sports and even parasports. My hope for the future is to become a professional athlete and represent Croatia. That’s my Plan A, and this camp has inspired me to keep pushing toward that goal."

As Allianz continues its long-term commitment to positive change and societal resilience, the MoveNow program will remain a key initiative in promoting youth sports and development. By creating opportunities for young people to access sports and physical activity, Allianz is paving the way for a healthier, more connected generation of athletes and leaders.

The success of this year’s camp sets a promising precedent for future editions, further solidifying Allianz’s role in nurturing the next generation of global sports talent and social influencers.

Kurt Cheng, Chief Marketing Officer for Allianz Taiwan, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the camp’s importance as an incentive for young athletes: “Three young athletes from Taiwan were selected from over 1,000 teams competing in our annual tournament. This is helping nurture a love of sport among the young and participating in the MoveNow Camp serves as a fantastic incentive for these aspiring athletes.”

Svetla Mikaylova from Allianz Bulgaria added context about the sporting challenges facing smaller countries:

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these kids. One of our talented athletes has played football since he was five, but his sports club doesn’t have the resources to help him progress further, so he is thinking of giving it away. It is similar for many young athletes living in the (Bulgarian) countryside. So, this camp isn’t just about physical activity – it’s an inspiration that motivates them to keep pursuing their dreams."

With such positive outcomes, the Allianz MoveNow Camp – Global Edition is set to continue inspiring young athletes, reinforcing Allianz’s commitment to social sustainability and the transformative power of sport.

Billy Justine, 15, one of three athletes participating from Indonesia, summarized the event for many.

"Sport is important to me because life without it would be so boring. When I look back, I’ll remember this camp as one of the special moments in my life."