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Membership growth in the sports circle: But where is the commitment?
In the Hersfeld-Rotenburg district, the number of sports members is increasing, but a lack of commitment and young talent remains challenges.
Membership growth in the sports circle: But where is the commitment?
The sports landscape in Hesse shows an interesting picture: While the number of members in the clubs is increasing, there is also a worrying lack of committed people. The Hersfeld-Rotenburg sports district reported an increase of 51,000 members compared to the previous year. A total of 2,265,048 people are now active in 7,343 clubs, which shows that club sports are still very popular. Nevertheless, the sports group is in a dilemma because it does not have enough volunteers to optimally support the increasing number of members, reports HNA.
A look at the membership structures reveals that the number of members in the Hersfeld-Rotenburg district increased from 48,885 in 2023 to 49,632 in 2024. A large number of new members have been registered, particularly to the delight of the football and gymnastics clubs. At the same time, however, other associations, such as the Deaf Sports Association and the Triathlon Association, are struggling with stagnating numbers. The demographic development also shows that the average age of sports club members is quite high, with most being between 41 and 60 years old or even older.
Where are the volunteers?
Although many clubs, such as TV Hersfeld with 1,750 members and significant new growth, are developing positively, the problem of a lack of voluntary commitment remains serious. The Horrido Weiterode shooting club, for example, had to decide to dissolve because no new first chairman could be found. This is not an isolated case, as the lack of trainers and board members affects many Hessian sports clubs. A phenomenon that is not only local, but is also discussed nationwide Mirror described in detail.
The challenges for the clubs are complex: On the one hand, there is concern about the decline in the number of young people who want to get involved in clubs in the long term. Many people value more flexible leisure options and shy away from fixed commitments. Sports circle chairman Daniel Iliev complains that the youth problem is heavily dependent on the sport and explains that, for example, positive talent sightings at clubs like TG Rotenburg and TV Hersfeld certainly represent bright spots.
A look into the future
Despite all the positive developments in membership growth, the sports circle's clubs are faced with another major hurdle: financing the sports facilities. According to the forecasts, the 2026 budget could be critical for Hessian sports clubs. There is a risk of a renovation need of around two million euros, which could endanger the existence of many smaller clubs. It is now all the more important to closely monitor the current situation and take measures to put the commitment on a sustainable footing.
A study by the Stifterverband also shows that the number of registered sports clubs in Germany has fallen from over 91,000 in 2011 to under 87,000 in 2023, which is alarming for the future of club sports. The positive trend in memberships should not obscure the declining number of sports clubs, as is also the case Donors' Association emphasized.
The development in Hessian sport remains exciting. It remains to be seen whether the clubs can overcome the challenges and continue to exist in the future not only as a member hotspot, but also as places of community and volunteer work.