Empty gymnasiums, tennis courts where nobody played, and clubhouses where celebrations were no longer held - the sports clubs in the Rhine-Main area have been in a state of emergency for two years.

Due to the pandemic, they had to shut down their operations for several months.

And even the easing has only apparently brought improvements: many club representatives complain about the hygiene measures and the rapidly changing regulations for corona containment.

Other clubs complain about the lack of financial support, and volunteers are tired.

Not to forget the resignation of members.

Kevin Hanschke

volunteer.

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For the Frankfurter Turn- und Sport-Gemeinschaft (FTG), which with more than 9000 members, three sports centers and 250 trainers is one of the largest sports clubs in Frankfurt, the last year was mixed, says managing director Holger Wessendorf.

In total, the amateur club lost around 700 members in the past year, and since the beginning of the pandemic in spring 2020, more than 2,700 members have left, although the number of new registrations increased this January.

Wessendorf explains this by saying that since the last easing, the club has relied on a quick resumption of all sports activities.

“In the short term, this is sometimes quite costly, but in the long term it will bring us new members.” However, the cancellations would go through all age groups and all sports.

Financially, the association got through the pandemic well, also thanks to the reserves and state support, which are now gradually being phased out.

Wessendorf says that FTG made use of the law on short-time work from the start.

There were also grants from the state of Hesse.

Nevertheless, the crisis is also reflected in the club's balance sheet.

An operating result for 2021 is not yet available.

"In the past two years we had hardly any income, but also significantly lower costs." He is particularly concerned about the freelance trainers.

"We had to send people home there, too," he says.

Extended rehabilitation offer

Now the club is facing the challenge of fully ramping up training again on the one hand, but working with a lower capacity utilization on the other.

Wessendorf believes that many of the club members who have left will not come back.

“Life style has changed due to Corona.

Many people are working from home, no longer doing any sport or have looked for alternatives, such as training at home.” Clubs have to take this into account.

Nevertheless, the association is currently refraining from special offers and discount campaigns.

Only online and video courses are offered.

"And are very popular." In addition, the sports directors have developed new courses for the time after the pandemic.

Including courses for people suffering from Long Covid.