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Decline in membership in sports clubs: "We will have to fight for every child"

2021-07-07T18:26:38.723Z


Many Bavarian sports clubs lost members during the Corona period - especially children and young people. The state government is now even giving a small bonus for returnees. Because some children are no longer as fit as they were before the lockdown.


Many Bavarian sports clubs lost members during the Corona period - especially children and young people.

The state government is now even giving a small bonus for returnees.

Because some children are no longer as fit as they were before the lockdown.

Gone are the days of empty soccer fields and orphaned gyms.

“The booth is finally full again,” says Andreas Wilhelm, chairman of the ASV Dachau.

Of course, not quite as crowded as before the pandemic. * Strict hygiene rules apply to all training courses and courses.

But they can take place again for a few weeks.

“We offer everything that is currently feasible,” he says.

Because many members longed for the opening for a long time.

And others terminated their membership contracts during the lockdown *.

Sports clubs / Corona: "The number of members has decreased by around 3.5 percent across Bavaria"

"The number of members has fallen across Bavaria by around 3.5 percent," says Jörg Ammon, President of the Bavarian State Sports Association (BLSV). 3.5 percent are around 130,000 athletes - many of them children and young people. "The younger the members, the greater the decline," says Ammon. There are also a lack of new entrants. Although many clubs are now realizing that members want to return, Ammon is sure: “We will have to fight for every child.” Many would have found other hobbies during the winter - and now prefer to spend their time on the Internet rather than on sports fields. The BLSV is already planning actions to bring these children back. For example, a cooperation with the former ski racer Felix Neureuther.

Andreas Wilhelm from Dachau also thought about the lost members.

“Those who were always motivated to do sports stayed,” he says.

“Above all, we have lost those for whom sport is very important in terms of health.” That is why he was pleased to hear that the Bavarian state government wants to pay a grant of 30 euros to every child who registers in a sports club. “Of course it's more of a symbol than an annual subscription, he says.

But maybe an incentive for one or the other to do more sport again after the long lockdown period.

"This is a clear sign for club sport," emphasizes BLSV President Ammon.

Our goal is not to have to completely shut down any more.

BLSV President Jörg Ammon

Corona in Bavaria - sports clubs: even increases in tennis or golf

The clubs do not have to fight for their employees again in all sectors. "In the past few months we even had growth in tennis or golf," says Rolf Lehmann from SC Riessersee (Garmisch-Partenkirchen district). Because these sports were possible most of the time even in the pandemic. The online offers were also heavily used. And some clubs are now even reporting a real run on the children's sports courses.

Nevertheless, the clubs are only very cautiously optimistic. "We are not assuming that we will be able to offer a normal program in autumn," emphasizes Andreas Wilhelm. Because the children in particular could not yet be vaccinated. If the number of infections increases again, the sports clubs would have to react. The BLSV is already holding talks with the state government, reports Ammon. “Our goal is not to have to completely shut down any more,” he says. But that is only possible if many people get vaccinated. "We are concerned about how incidence levels are rising again in many countries," he says. And the incidences * will probably also remain decisive in Germany for which openings and loosening are possible. Ammon therefore hopes that there will be a lot more to do on the subject of vaccinations by autumn.Because by now it has become clear how important sport is, especially for children and young people. Not only the health aspect - but also the social one.

* Merkur.de / bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

By the way: The most important stories from the Free State are now also available in our brand new, regular Bayern newsletter.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-07-07

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