Interview with para ice hockey player Steven Betz
When the 14th Paralympic Winter Games kick off in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on 6th March 2026, the world's best Paralympic athletes will showcase their emotions, performance and sporting spirit at its finest in exciting competitions over ten days until 15th March. There will be 79 medal competitions over a total of twelve competition days, including para ice hockey.
Steven Betz from ERC Waldbronn-Karlsruhe is expected to compete as a member of the German national para ice hockey team. He made his debut on the 25th of November 2022 in Vierumäki (Finland) against Norway. He already finished in 8th place at the 2023 World Championships and finished second in the B pool at the 2024 World Championships.
Profile
Name: Steven Betz
Date of birth: 11 February 1993
Place of residence: Singen-Remchingen
Disability: Right thigh amputation
Sport: Para ice hockey
Club: ERC Waldbronn / EHC Freiburg
Position: Defense
Sports career / profession: Player in the German Para Ice Hockey National Team, commercial employee
Today, he tells us about his passion, his goals, and gives valuable tips for anyone interested.
How did you get into this still relatively unknown para sport?
In 2009, a friend told me about para ice hockey in Heidelberg. That made me curious... I took part in a trial training session and was immediately hooked!
What excites you about para ice hockey?
The team sport, the speed, and the physical challenge and toughness of this sport! Para ice hockey is intense, demanding, and so much fun. For me, it's also the best way to balance my everyday life.
Steven Betz proudly wears the German national team jersey. Photo: Florian Schwarzbach / DBS
How did it feel to wear the jersey with the federal eagle for the first time?
It was a very emotional and unforgettable moment. It makes me extremely proud to have made it this far. It's simply indescribable and difficult to put into words.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in trying out the sport to see if it's something for them? How can they get in touch?
Just do it! That's my advice... be brave and seize the opportunity. Many people are too quick to think, “Oh no, I can't do that.” But even with a disability, you can still play sports. I think it's important not to give up.
My tip is to find out where the nearest club is, contact the people in charge, and arrange a trial training session. Then you'll quickly know whether the sport and the team are right for you or not.
What should you bring with you for para ice hockey, what should you pay attention to and prepare for?
It often looks easier than it is. It is important that your upper body is strong, as your hands and arms are also put under a lot of strain and should be functional.
How do you balance everyday life, work, and training? How do you overcome the challenges?
I work nine hours a day, then go home to my family. I play with the kids, we eat together and spend time together. Once the children are in bed, I go to the gym three times a week for 90 minutes in the evening. During the season, these are intense months for the whole family, but we cope really well and pull together. That makes me proud! 😊
You've just come back from an intensive training camp in Ilmenau. What happens at a training camp for the Paralympic Games?
We arrive on Friday afternoon and have a total of four training sessions until Sunday. In training, we work specifically on tactical sequences and game situations so that we are perfectly prepared for international tournaments.
What did you personally find most rewarding and challenging during the training camp?
During the last training camp, we did a comprehensive performance test. This included three speed tests over 30 meters and a six-minute Cooper test. The performance test will be repeated at the beginning of January to see how we have improved.
What does team spirit mean to you?
Achieving something together as a team is just an amazing feeling... Everyone gives their all and contributes their strengths in some way! That's what makes a good team for me.
What is your next big goal?
To compete in the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina 😊
At REHAB 2025, visitors were able to try out para ice hockey for themselves and immerse themselves in the world of inclusive sports. Photo: Messe Karlsruhe / Jürgen Rösner
At REHAB Karlsruhe 2025, you presented para ice hockey live with equipment on an ice rink. Interested visitors were able to try it out for themselves. What was your experience? How was it received?
It was a real success! Many visitors had never heard of para ice hockey before. That made it all the more enjoyable to introduce them to the sport. That is precisely our goal—more visibility and more attention for para ice hockey in Germany. And best of all, some of them went onto the ice themselves after the trade fair and tried it out during a trial training session.
Do you remember any special moments at the fair?
Definitely. The support from the entire REHAB team was fantastic. I felt comfortable and really enjoyed showing people the sport. It was especially great for me that so many people plucked up the courage to sit on the sled.
Why is it important for you and your sport to be present at a trade fair like REHAB?
Because it makes exactly that possible. We are a marginal sport. That's why every opportunity to show people that ice hockey is possible even in a wheelchair counts. REHAB brings together people who are open to new things. That's worth its weight in gold for us.
Thank you very much for talking to us. We look forward to seeing you again at REHAB in 2027 and to you participating with a sporting activity. 😊
If you can't get enough of winter sports, you should make a note of these highlights. At the beginning of 2026, two top-class para-sports events will be held in the Black Forest: the Para Nordic Skiing World Cup in Notschrei (8–11 January) and the Para Alpine Skiing World Cup in Feldberg (22–23 January).
Further information is available from the Badischer Behinderten- und Rehabilitationssportverband e.V., a partner of the inclusive sports facility:
Winter sports to try out: Para biathlon was featured at REHAB in 2025 and generated a lot of excitement. Photo: Messe Karlsruhe / Jannik Hammes