Familienbetrieb mit Ambitionen
About the Team
The "UniLipsSticks" unicycling hockey team gathers every Friday evening for training in the gymnasium of August Bebel Primary School. Up to ten young players practice this fascinating sport together, creating an atmosphere akin to a small family gathering.
Sandra Rucká serves as the department head, coach, and active player. She manages the office, website, and public relations for the "UniLipsSticks". "It's a heartfelt project," says the young mother of two small children. "The sport is great, and we have an amazing team in Leipzig."
In unicycling hockey, everyone plays together regardless of gender and age—even in league play. This underscores the familial character of the team, where everyone knows each other and has the chance to play. As a very young team, there's a lot of dynamism and rapid learning processes.
Responsibilities and Training
Learning processes are essential in two sports: first, mastering unicycling, then adding team hockey with tactics. "At the beginning, patience and endurance are needed. But it's worth it: our sport is varied, challenging, and fun. It promotes stamina, leg and arm strength, as well as team spirit," explains the Czech-born Sandra.
Sandra welcomes her diverse team calmly at the start of each training session, taking unicycles, sticks, and a pump out of the locker. The team's training involves both individual skill-building and team coordination.
History and Development
Sandra's passion for unicycling hockey began during an exchange semester in Hannover, where she not only discovered and fell in love with the sport but also met her husband, Pavel. After a brief return to Prague, the couple moved to Leipzig in 2014. With no existing unicycling hockey scene, they initially joined the artistic cycling section of Knautkleeberger SC 1864 (KSC). Sandra earned her coaching license and founded the unicycling department at KSC, which now has twelve members. In 2016, the "UniLipsSticks" unicycling hockey team was established and has since been active in the German Unicycling Hockey League.
League Play and Community
Germany has the world's largest unicycling hockey league, with 75 teams competing in tournaments to determine the best in the sport. "I look for tournaments that suit us in terms of distance and skill level. In the 2024/25 season, we played five league tournaments plus a fun tournament in Jena. We've had great trips to Lübeck and Wuppertal. The atmosphere within and among the teams is fantastic. We're a big sports family that supports and appreciates each other. Often, we even get free accommodation," says Sandra.
Goals and Challenges
The "UniLipsSticks" have clear goals for the league: the Leipzig team aims to secure their first tournament win and climb the rankings. Despite the balanced nature of the sport, Sandra confidently articulates her goals and wishes for unicycling hockey in Leipzig.
- Move to a three-field gymnasium to train under tournament conditions with a standard field size.
- Gain better recognition and support from the city of Leipzig for smaller sports like unicycling hockey.
- Secure sponsorships, as the club currently covers tournament entry fees while players share travel and fuel costs.
- Organize a training camp for five children and youths, which presents a financial challenge of 500 euros.
- Develop independence for the sport by involving promising talents like players Sophie and Luisa as youth coaches, ensuring the next generation takes responsibility and secures the future of unicycling hockey.
"Whether training takes place or we go to tournaments depends on me and my husband. To change this, we're involving our promising talents. In the future, our players Sophie and Luisa will work as youth coaches. This way, the next generation takes on responsibility, and we ensure the promotion of young unicycling hockey talent with our own team," Sandra says happily.
More information: www.einrad-leipzig.de