Mr. Grawe, even if the local volleyball players could start training again in February, the game would not start before the end of the month. Do you even expect the volleyball season to continue?
Andreas Grawe: I am not afraid, as I am assuming that politicians will not completely reopen February for sport. As important as their hobby is for many people: Sport is not the number one priority in returning to normal. Many occupational groups whose existence is at risk are given priority.
The Easter holidays start at the end of March. Then in the case of a continuation of the season there would be another break in the game.
Dig: Yes, that’s another reason it’s difficult to continue the season. The games that would otherwise be completed in April would have to go well into summer.
The clubs have already approved such a scenario.
Dig: That was last November. Whether they actually want to play in the summer is an exciting question. Perhaps a corresponding survey would have to be carried out again at the clubs, also in view of the development of the corona pandemic.
The next meeting is due
In the West German Volleyball Association there should be plans to play only one first round or a final tournament.
Dig: That’s right. We will discuss details tomorrow, Tuesday, January 12th, during the next Bureau meeting, which will take place online again.
As the association’s general and recreational sports supervisor, what will you propose in terms of further action?
Dig: In popular sport, in which it is possible to play with mixed teams without a player’s pass, we will try to keep the teams playing friendly games. Especially since some clubs haven’t even started or have played only a few games, I hope that these friendlies will help to keep the teams going. My big concern is that otherwise many older hobby players in particular will stop because of the current situation.
What other items on the agenda are on the program of the executive committee meeting?
Dig: In particular, it is also about budget planning. If we don’t have gaming operations, a lot of the income is inevitably lost. Nevertheless, the association must remain capable of acting.
At the beginning of the season
If you compare the spring lockdown to the current one, which one has greater impact?
Dig: The current situation is even more difficult for all athletes, especially because we don’t even know whether we have the worst behind us or whether it is still to come. In the spring it was easier with a view to the summer after the early end of the season decided at the end of March. Now we are basically at the beginning of the season. The hope is that the vaccinations will return to normal from next summer.
How are you personally in the now so long Corona crisis?
Dig: I really miss personal contacts. Online conferences are nice, but cannot replace meeting at eye level. And I would like to visit and watch a volleyball game again.
– .
