Almost everything is becoming more expensive, often including membership in a sports club. But there are solutions for clubs and people affected by poverty.
Double-digit inflation rates and skyrocketing energy prices are causing more and more people financial difficulties. Many have to cut expenses, the sports club would be an option.
As early as six weeks ago, every fourth sports club (26.9 percent) noticed a drop in membership due to the energy crisis. This was the result of a survey by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) on October 23.
More and more people live in poverty
The current price increases reinforce an already fatal trend. According to the joint poverty report 2022, the proportion of people living in poverty in Germany has risen from 15.9 percent to 16.6 percent within two years. For children and young people, the proportion is even 20.8 percent. The report refers to the year 2021, so it has not yet taken current inflation into account.
Consequences for club sport are obvious. In sports, social class and socio-economic origin are less important than in other areas, said Cologne-based sports sociologist Christoph Breuer on Deutschlandfunk. But children and young people from socially difficult situations are less active, “they are also less frequent members of the sports club”.
The type of sport also plays a role: “The more expensive a sport is in terms of fees, equipment and so on, the fewer children from poorer backgrounds are involved.”
Mass sport crisis
The crisis in mass sport in Germany is getting worse and worse. Swimming pools are closing, gymnasiums are deteriorating and school sports lessons are cancelled.
Only four out of five German children reach the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) for 45 minutes of exercise a day. That was one of the findings of the 2020 child and youth sports study.
Several ways to support those affected
Anyone who receives social benefits can apply for a 15 euro subsidy from the federal government for social participation, also for a sports club contribution. Anyone who is just over the limit for social benefits is dependent on other ideas, for example a support association.
The clubs could also stagger contributions in such a way that families are relieved. TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen also offers to suspend membership fees in the event of proven need. However, an association cannot do without contributions entirely, otherwise its non-profit status is in jeopardy.
Poverty often goes undetected
In Hesse, the sports youth of the local state sports federation offers the emergency aid program “Sport for all children”. Clubs that see a need for their members could get help there quickly and unbureaucratically, up to 150 euros per six months, says Julian Blessing from the sports youth. However, the demand is still relatively low, perhaps also because the program is not well known everywhere.
Poverty is also associated with shame and often goes undetected. So it is worthwhile for trainers to follow up if a child skips the trip or the training camp or uses very old equipment. The Sportjugend Hessen offers help for exactly such expenses.
Clubs under pressure from energy costs
But the clubs themselves are sometimes dependent on outside support, because the increase in energy prices is having an impact in many places. The State Sports Association of North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, expects clubs with their own facilities to have a coverage gap of 32 to 41 million euros.
The numbers were compiled at the request of the state government, says Christoph Niessen, board member of the LSB NRW: “Given that request, it seems likely that support will come from there.” The black-green state government had announced that it would put together a special fund worth five billion euros for crisis management in December.
Trend towards increasing membership fees
But the clubs still have to shoulder the increased costs themselves – and possibly transfer them. 16.1 percent of clubs said they have increased membership fees in response to electricity and gas prices.
For example, the TuS 87/97 Alstaden from Oberhausen (tennis, handball, rehabilitation sports, fitness) did it, but according to its own statements, it continues to record increasing numbers of members. The Hammer Sportclub, on the other hand, deliberately decided not to increase the fee in 2023, but is considering a later increase for 2024. And ETUF Essen is charging an energy levy of 100 euros per member for 2023 and 2024 – with discounts for children, young people and students.