BACKGROUND: Sports in the early period of the Third Reich had an underlying, subversive role as a form of military training, due to the restrictions imposed on the Germans by the Treaty of Versailles. As a result, sporting events were very highly regarded by the NSDAP, and all manner of awards were issued on a national and local level to the victorious athletes. Even after the treaty was ignored, and military conscription imposed, sporting events for the German youth were still held in high esteem as pre-military training and toughening-up exercises. From the end of 1934 onwards, Hitler Youth Sports Festivals were held throughout Germany. Originally called a "Sport-" or "Jugendfest," after 1937 they came to be known as "Reichsportwettkampf" (National-sport-competition[s]).

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Stamped metal badge with a bronze wash. The badge takes the form of a stylized eagle upon whose breast is the HJ diamond and swastika, with "Deutsches" scrolled above and "Jugendfest 1936" below. To the reverse is a horizontal pin-back device that has been repaired/replaced. Cut-out variant.