It’s there to see in every village and town. Children and youngsters, boys and girls, men, women and seniors, who have come of age in their world of work. They all follow the most beautiful thing in the world. Chasing the ball, which engages over 80,000 football players every weekend. But who got the ball rolling for amateur football? Who’s responsible for every team having a manager? Who paints the lines on the pitch? Who ensures that the kits are freshly washed every time?
There’s a clear answer: Volunteers. Around 400,000 people partake in voluntary work in the 25,000 football clubs in Germany. A further 1.3 million helpers come on their accord too. Games wouldn’t be able to take place without him. “Things just wouldn’t work without the volunteers,” Benedikt Höwedes said. “If these people didn’t put their full heart into these areas, then many things wouldn’t work as smoothly as they do now.”
Niersbach: "The volunteers provide the foundation for our football"
Professional football thanks the many people, who engage in voluntary work. Those, who graft and slave away all for the love of the beautiful game. Without them, the pitch would have no markings and the kits would remain unwashed. It will be the 15th tome that the DFB and DFL recognises the work of these volunteers and say a massive ‘thank you’! Apart from clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, clubs from the third division and Allianz Women’s Bundesliga will also take part. The nationwide actions will take place on the same day as ‘International Volunteer Day’ on 5th December 2014, which is annually designed to promote the volunteer’s work in the stadium.
“The volunteers provide the foundation for our football,” said DFB-President Wolfgang Niersbach. “German football would not have the importance that it does without the amazing work of the many volunteers. It has to remain our mutual task, to encourage and support the volunteers.” Dr. Reinhard Rauball echoed these sentiments: “Every volunteer has my upmost respect for their personal contribution to amateur football.”
Challenges in attracting new volunteers
Football has presented many exciting challenges, especially with the demographic changes and structural change deployed at the same time. Where earlier volunteers felt a connection to a club for a long time, their activities today are restricted due to rules. Regional connections play a smaller role and living conditions play a bigger role than earlier generations. They key positions in the club, chairman, head of section, treasurer and head of youth department are all based on competence and qualifications.
The real challenge for sports clubs is to constantly attract new volunteers, qualify them and finally tie them down to the club in the long-term. But also the respectful departure from their voluntary activities, indeed the length and intensity, has to be paid careful attention to.
