: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:33 pm
I find it very interesting when I see the state of Sport Facilities in England in comparison to here in Germany. For Example Bad Reichenhall where we have now a team and where the Sponsors of the German National team are from is a good example.
A population of around 20,000 with a fair share of Elderly people yet the Town has a top Spa, Sauna Wellness area with good swimming facilities. It has 2 Sports stadiums-of which we used one in 1996 for a game against an Austrian Select which can hold around 3000 or so and has a pitch to warm up on and athletics track alongside a decent sized Clubhouse. Then there are big park as well as Mountain paths designed for easy to extreme fitness. There is also a paragliding good Skiing facilities, Tennis Courts, Ice Hockey, Cross Country Ski areas amongst other things. Then when I look at Halifax/Calderdale there is a massive difference in attitude to the different Towns in view of Sports, Leisure and Health. Calderdale Council spend as little as anything on Parks and Sports Facilities preferring to sell things rather than invest. Bad Reichenhall although a lot smaller the attitude is to promote Sports and the outdoor life. I think France is another Country that that promotes Sports a lot better than the people running towns and the Nation in England.
There is a lot more to do Sportswise in Bavaria and kids are expected to join Sports Clubs from a young age. This keeps them out of trouble and because clubs have big membership numbers bringing in more money then facilities can be upgraded more.
On Saturday 60 CM of Snow fell in Bad Reichenhall and another 70 CM yesterday yet the people do not stay in they are out skiing or walking and doing something. Germans seem to be a more outdoors type people and Sports are promoted rather than in Halifax where the Council shut the Swimming Baths, sell off School fields etc and do not promote Sports that much amongst the young.