Thomas Schneider has won everything with the SKV Rot-Weiß Zerbst in the past eleven years. Now he's moving to VfB Hallbergmoos - and for good reason.
Hallbergmoos / Pfaffenhofen - He was never really gone, but now he is finally coming back: Bowling ace Thomas Schneider, who has won everything there is to win at club level in the past eleven years with the SKV Rot-Weiß Zerbst, breaks his Tents in Saxony-Anhalt and is on the tracks for VfB Hallbergmoos in the new season. And probably in the 1st Bundesliga: Because at the time of the Corona-related season break, the Hallbergers were first in the 2nd Bundesliga South / West and should therefore be promoted - a success story that should be continued together with Tom Schneider. In the FT interview, the 39-year-old ex-Zollinger reveals his goals with VfB - and, of course, the joyous occasion that ultimately motivated him to make this change.
Mr. Schneider, what made you decide to end the chapter "Red-White Zerbst" after eleven extremely successful years?
The reasons for changing clubs this year were ultimately of a family nature. My wife and I have our second child in August. But I have to go back a bit in this regard: At the beginning, in the first weeks of pregnancy, it was said that they would be twins. It is now "just" a baby - but of course we still thought a lot. How can we prepare for it? We live in Pfaffenhofen - and from there you have been traveling to Zerbst for a long time. So it quickly became clear what I would leave out to have a little more time for my family.
Thomas Schneider has big plans for VfB Hallbergmoos
The move to Hallbergmoos was of course a logical option.
Exactly. Hallbergmoos has been my training facility since 2014. Not least because the trains there are the same as in Zerbst. So I was always able to prepare very well for the competitions in Zerbst at home. I've also known Sepp Niedermair (bowling department manager at VfB Hallbergmoos, editor's note) for about 25 years - we are good friends. We talked a lot about what visions he has with his club. He had asked me several times in the past. But the time had not yet come to end my sports involvement with the SKV. Nevertheless, I already got involved in the background in Hallbergmoos: Sepp and I often talked about potential new additions. I used my contacts - and so we already managed to guide three players from the 1st Bundesliga to VfB during Bayernliga times.
"Madness, what arose here"
How do you assess the development of the Hallbergmoos department?
It is simply amazing what has arisen here. If it works with the Bundesliga, it would be the seventh promotion in eight years. VfB has great potential and many opportunities. But there are still areas where something can be improved. The entire club will pull together to deal with this.
How does VfB continue?
If I'm promoted, it's only a matter of time before we start playing internationally - maybe in two or three years. First of all, however, it is about establishing itself in the Bundesliga. A midfield rank or a placement above the relegation line would be great, anything else an encore.
See you again in the Bundesliga?
In the Bundesliga, you would also have to fight your former club twice. Would Hallbergmoos have a chance against the Zerbster?
No! Given the squad that Zerbst has at his disposal, there will be little to order for us. But of course I'm looking forward to seeing the boys again.
What feelings do you look back on in Zerbst?
It's a really emotional story. We've gone through thick and thin together all these years. I've seen so many player changes, so many bowling greats that have resigned. I associate a title with each individual. If a farewell game works for me, it will definitely be tearful.
Team of the year in Saxony-Anhalt
There were some titles to celebrate. Which are particularly important to you?
In 2012 we were eliminated in the World Cup because we didn't work as a team. In the following season we managed to act as a team and won everything: We won the championship with zero minus points and then we won the Champions League and the World Cup. But what was at least as great was the victories in the team of the year election in Saxony-Anhalt: we won in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2019. That is a great honor for a bowling club - after all, there are such high-ranking teams like the footballers of 1. FC Magdeburg or the handball players of SC Magdeburg. In retrospect, it was an indescribable phase in my career. Now I'm looking forward to VfB and the next big challenges.
Tom Schneider's success with Red and White Zerbst:
. German team champion eleven times in eleven years.
. Four times DKBC cup winner.
. Winner in the Champions League three times
. World Cup winner seven times.
Also read: Dominic Schermbach, the Arjen Robben of TSV Au
