Handball: DHB adopts structural reform “Perspective 2020+”.

The German Handball Federation has decided on a comprehensive structural reform. At the Bundestag during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of handball, the delegates in Berlin passed the “Perspective 2020+” package of measures by a large majority. With 108 of a possible 124 votes, the modification of the association’s statutes was accepted.

The reform provides for a full-time board of directors chaired by the current Secretary General Mark Schober. Heinz Winden, DHB Vice President, spoke of the “most significant change since the DHB was founded”. In future, the honorary Executive Committee will determine the composition of the Management Board and supervise it in the manner of a Supervisory Board.

The Presidium hopes that this decision will help to further professionalise the association. In addition, tasks and responsibilities between the umbrella organisation, national, regional and league associations are to be assigned more clearly. The DHB’s main task in the future will be to further develop the national teams as well as to train coaches and promote young talent in the performance sector.

The biggest construction site in German handball is the development of members, DHB President Andreas Michelmann said at the presentation of the planning:”This requires the greatest effort – not only for the central association, but also for the regional and state associations, but also for the clubs. We are all DHB’s.” The last time the association lost members, the number is expected to rise to over 800,000 by 2020.

The recruitment and maintenance of members is primarily a matter for the regional and state associations. According to the “Perspective 2020+”, the main task of the leagues is to stabilise women’s and men’s handballs as top brands in Germany and other European countries.

Prior to the meeting, DHB vice-president Bob Hanning had spoken out clearly in favour of a reform and described a possible decision as “historic” and “groundbreaking”.