From January 27th, all classes of the Bavarian handball leagues will be allowed to play again.
We asked the clubs in the region what they had to say about it.
District – Just one day after the cabinet meeting of the Bavarian state government, in which the regulations relating to sport were confirmed and the exemption for minors was extended, the Bavarian Handball Association announced, as announced, that it would resume play in all classes from January 27th. “The resumption was controversial and discussed intensively. However, the decision in the previous mode, to continue playing without a reorganization of the game plans, was made by a large majority in the presidium and in the districts," wrote the BHV to its clubs.
The reasons given by the association for this decision include the fact that in a survey over 70 percent, and in the upper performance classes even over 80 percent of the clubs, voted for a resumption under the current guidelines. According to the association, the pandemic conditions in the districts are almost the same as in November, which makes approximately fair competition possible. As a third factor, the BHV cited the increased vaccination rate and the frequent use of the opportunity for young people to be vaccinated. With the decision to continue, the handball association also wants to do justice to its social mission. However, there are still a few things to be settled. This includes the specifications for checking the G-Rules, determining the time corridor for catch-up games,for applying for game transfers and their free of charge as well as dealing with games that have not been played and setting a last possible game date in the respective leagues. "All of this is currently being worked out," explained the BHV, which conceded that this decision would not find unanimous approval everywhere.
Concerns about currently rising incidence figures
This is also confirmed by some critical statements from club representatives of the handball teams from the district, who definitely go along with the association.
"Especially in the youth field, the players are thirsting to compete with other teams again.
Nevertheless, there are of course also concerns, considering the numbers and the development of the last few weeks," Michael Sander, Deputy Head of Department of the Weilheim Handball Team, has certain doubts as to whether the end of January is the right time.
“But basically we are happy that the season is continuing.
We are full of confidence and will definitely follow the rules and restrictions,” said Sander.
The continuation is welcomed at TSV Peißenberg.
“The youngsters and children have been training all the time and are looking forward to the competitions.
The exceptions for minors also make the implementation of the 2G-plus rule much easier," says Peißenberg's head of handball, Pierre Engelhardt.
However, he is still missing information from the “Alpenvorland” district, where most of his teams are deployed.
"Our ladies, the Minis, E and D youths all play at district level.
We don't yet know how to proceed.
It's a bad solution," complains Engelhardt.
Great effort for clubs feared
The Oberhausen handball players have different opinions about the decision.
"On the one hand, it's nice and urgently necessary to bring back a bit of normality, especially for young people.
On the other hand, the effort of the clubs to process everything in accordance with the rules is enormous," says department head Alexandra Vincenzi, who is hoping for support from the BHV in this regard.
At TSV Schongau, the joy that it goes on prevails.
"Personally, I think it's good to play again.
And I'm also speaking on behalf of the entire department," says Division Manager Pascal Mudrack.
"We're doing very well for the ladies and gentlemen in terms of 'vaccination status' and in the older youth sector, among the A and B youth, the majority have already been vaccinated," Mudrack sees the Schongauer well positioned for the new start.