Sports Development Report 2009/2010. Analysis of the situation of sports clubs in Germany

The intention of sports clubs in Germany to offer a public welfare orientated sports supply is expressed in their objectives. Amid the variety of club objectives, particular importance is placed upon transmitting values (e.g., fair play, tolerance), offering affordable sports opportunities, and promoting the equal participation of girls/women and boys/men. Furthermore, clubs notably value a sense of community and conviviality and moreover, aspire to make it possible for people with a migrant background to participate in sports. For these reasons, sports clubs can be understood to differ significantly from other sports providers. The self-consciousness of sports clubs to persist with their public welfare orientation has remained remarkably stable from 2005 to 2009. More and more sports clubs generate sports programmes in collaboration with schools, other sports clubs, kindergarten/day care centres or a commercial sports provider. More than 27% of all sports clubs in Germany already collaborate with schools regarding sports supply. In doing so, nearly 20% of all sports clubs collaborate with a primary school, around 10% with a basic secondary school, about 10% with an advanced secondary school and around 8% with an intermediate secondary school. An increasing number of sports clubs also offer sports courses to non-members. In addition, sports clubs guarantee organised sports programmes which are affordable to the mass-population. Half of all sports clubs charge a maximum annual membership fee of €25 for children, €30 for adolescents, €56 for adults, and at most €100 for families. Problems faced by sports clubs most notably relate to the recruitment and retention of volunteers, adolescent elite athletes, coaches/instructors, referees/ officials, and members. The need for support further exists with reference to the costs of sports competitions as well as with the number of laws, orders, and directives facing sports clubs. Moreover, problems with the supply of sports facilities have intensified. From a financial standpoint, one can note that the expenses for coaches/ instructors, the execution of own sports events, and non-sports related events have all risen significantly. Expenses which have additionally increased are those for maintenance personnel, the Gema-fee (radio charges for music that is played publically), and insurances, as well as the general administrative costs and the travel expenses for training and competitions.No Full Tex