The end of an era: “Of course there is sadness”

Today one of the most outstanding careers in the South Tyrolean sports world comes to an end. Not that of an athlete, but of a sports official, a doer behind the scenes. The career of a man who indirectly paved the way to the top for many South Tyrolean top athletes. Günther Andergassen says “farewell” to the VSS after 24 years as president.

Today your time at the top of the Association of South Tyrolean Sports Clubs VSS ends. Is there sadness or is joy prevailing that after 24 years of presidency it is over?

“Of course there is sadness when saying goodbye after 44 years of close ties to the VSS. Above all, I am happy to be able to look back with satisfaction and to have more time for family and friends. The coming years will not be entirely without voluntary tasks - the Marienberg Board of Trustees and the South Tyrolean Heart Foundation are waiting.”

You have been with the VSS since 1979: What do you particularly remember?

“I will have special memories of the many sports festivals with the young people and their shining eyes, the appreciative cooperation with my board colleagues and the employees with whom I was able to achieve a lot, and the great commitment in our member clubs.”

The VSS often had to put up with the reputation of being a competitor to the specialist sports associations. What do you say to these “critics”?

"The opposite is the case. Through our youth development programs in close cooperation with the member clubs, we want to inspire as many young people as possible for sport. This creates the basis for a sporting career, for which the specialist sports associations are then responsible. Without a broad base there is no top in sport. If South Tyrol is so successful in sports, then it is thanks to the VSS's support of children and youth sports. I could name a specialist sports association that has prohibited the VSS from offering sports to a certain group of youth athletes. After a few years, those responsible knocked on the door of the VSS and asked us to make a broader offer again because the young people had “dropped out” from them. We all work in the interests of our youth and cooperate wherever possible.”

“If South Tyrol is so successful in sports, then it is thanks to the VSS’s support of children and youth sports.” Günther Andergassen

What goals have you achieved?

“The founding of the South Tyrolean Sports Aid based on the German and Swiss model in combination with the ball of sports; the Mals Sports High School, because we also bear responsibility for the overall development of young sports talents; free use of school sports halls; the founding of the first cardiac sports groups; the organization of the first Euregio Youth Games; the training of sports instructors, and indeed training and further education as a whole, because it is not money but always people that make sport and sports clubs successful; cooperation with the school and university; the introduction of the Sustainability Charter for Sport and, as VSS athletics representative, the city and village runs that were intended to bring athletics to the villages, to name the most important ones. The recognition of the VSS as an “ente di promozione sportiva” is on the way. I emphasize that I have always had good partners and comrades-in-arms, starting with my predecessors Walter Plunger and Walter Ausserhofer, the managing directors Manfred Call, Klaus Dellemann and Daniel Hofer and all the other employees, but also with those responsible in politics. Without them, a lot of things wouldn’t have been possible.”

What remained unfulfilled?

“The state sports center, which could make a decisive contribution to the qualitative development of South Tyrolean sport as a whole. These are the experiences in other countries and regions. What is good for individual sports should also be good for the sport as a whole. But I am confident that such a sports competence center will be created and will also have a good future in South Tyrol.”

Günther Andergassen was President of the VSS for 24 years. © Armin Huber

With 494 member clubs, 1000 sections and around 86.000 athletes and officials, the VSS is the association with the largest number of members in South Tyrol. Was this great responsibility a curse or a blessing?

“That was a blessing. As the largest citizens' movement in our country, sports clubs have a deep impact on our society and bring people together, regardless of language, culture and social status. The sports club as a social glue in our society. Heading the VSS, the umbrella organization of these clubs, was a voluntary position in the truest sense of the word.”

The VSS’s greatest strength?

“The proximity to the clubs in order to support them with information, advice and support in their “everyday business” and through personal contacts, the wide range of further training courses, the diverse relationships with state and local politics and finally the broad support of children and youth sports. The VSS represents the interests of South Tyrolean sport and its clubs as a whole, regardless of sport and level of performance.”

Volunteering is not only praised in South Tyrol, but also practiced - especially in sport. Will that be the biggest challenge for the future to keep it that way?

“The sports club lives from volunteer work. Getting people to take on responsibility in sports clubs or to get them involved will be a challenge for the future. It will be important that we get young people involved at an early stage to work on projects and interests, to contribute their ideas and to hand over responsibility to them. There are studies that confirm that people who volunteer are happier.”

“The sports club lives from volunteer work.” Günther Andergassen

Is the role of the VSS chairman more that of an athlete or a politician?

“It takes both: the role of an athlete to understand the nature of sports club work and the needs of athletes, but also the role of a politician to recognize the interests of sports clubs and represent them in a targeted and consistent manner.”

What advice would you give to your designated successor, Paul Romen?

“My deputy and long-time colleague Paul Romen doesn’t need any advice from me. He knows the sport inside and out, is himself the president of a sports club (SV Jenesien) and knows about the role of the VSS as a former district representative and for the last 4 years as deputy chairman of the VSS. He will continue what is good and improve what is not so good.”

What are you most looking forward to next Saturday?

“I would be most happy if I could personally say goodbye to as many club representatives and companions as chairman of the VSS and still remain friends.”

Portrait: This is Günther Andergassen Date and place of birth: November 25, 1948 in Kaltern Location: Kaltern Job: First home manager and teacher at the Fürstenburg Agricultural School, later personal advisor to State Councilor Otto Saurer and department director for health, social affairs, human resources, vocational training, educational support, university and research Education: Doctorate in educational sciences and psychology as a minor Marital status: Married to Helene Pobitzer, daughter Hannah (22) Hobbies: Sports, reading, cultural things Athletic career: Track and field athlete, including regional record holder over 20 km on the track in a time of 1:02.24 hours (the record is still valid); President of the Bozen Running Club from 1972 to 1990) Career as a VSS sports official: 1979 to 1983 VSS advisor for athletics, 1983 to 1991 district representative for Bozen City & Country, 1991 to 1999 vice-chairman, 1999 to 2023 chairman Favorite athlete: Gustav Thöni then and Jannik Sinner today guideline: Solving things through dialogue

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The end of an era: “Of course there is sadness”

VSS President Günther Andergassen says goodbye to the South Tyrolean sports world. Here the 74-year-old from Kalter granted a detailed interview.

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