The Rote Raben Vilsbiburg are withdrawing from the first women’s volleyball league – after 33 years and several titles.
By Andreas Mack, Kathrin Unverdorben
The Rote Raben Vilsbiburg volleyball players are withdrawing from the first Bundesliga. No license application will be submitted for the 2024/25 season. Those responsible made this decision by the shareholders’ meeting public on Tuesday (April 9).
Too little income to remain competitive
Because of the “economic performance that has been known for a long time”, it was ultimately not possible to organize the necessary financial framework for a regulated, long-term successful game operation with a competitive squad in the highest German league.
Over 30 years in the first league
The Rote Raben Vilsbiburg have been part of the first Bundesliga for women’s volleyball without interruption since 2001. In 2008 and 2010 they won the German championship and in 2009 and 2014 they won the DVV Cup. With the 2023/24 season, the 33-year first division era of the Vilsbiburg volleyball players will come to an end.
Rational but also emotional decision
According to Michael Ostermaier, spokesman for the shareholders’ meeting, this decision was inevitable – “as painful as this step is and as much as we emotionally regret it.” “After a sober analysis of the situation and a serious impact assessment,” there was no alternative.
According to a statement from Rote Raben Bundesligabetriebs GmbH, those responsible had previously made intensive efforts to find new sponsors. They also tried together with politicians to “generate additional support at various levels” – but ultimately without a positive result. “After long considerations and intensive consultations, we had to make the decision to withdraw in view of our holistic responsibility for the club,” said Michael Ostermaier.
Last season ended in the playoff quarterfinals
The Roten Raben Vilsbiburg had also made it into the playoffs in their last first division season and, as eighth in the table, had a passionate “best-of-three” series in the quarter-finals at the end of March with main round winners and title favorites Schwerin. After two 1:3 defeats, it ended with the Red Raben being eliminated.
In the concert of clubs from many large or state capitals, the team from the smallest volleyball location in Germany played a respectable role and regularly reached the playoffs, those responsible praise the squad.
Lower Bavaria now without a volleyball Bundesliga team
How things should continue with the nationally valued youth work of the Bavarian Volleyball Academy is currently being examined. A spokesman for the association said that “a variety of constructive discussions are currently underway.” More details will be presented next week.
With the Red Raben’s withdrawal from the first Bundesliga, there is no longer a women’s volleyball team in Lower Bavaria that plays at a high level. The Nawaro Straubing club also had financial problems, filed for bankruptcy in January last year and withdrew from the Bundesliga.
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Source: Regional news from Lower Bavaria April 9th, 2024 – 10:30 a.m
