Comparative analyses of sports clubs in Germany and Turkey - A new approach to structure and function of sports clubs in Turkey-

This study examines and compares sports clubs in Germany and in Turkey. The study offers a new approach for analyzing the formation of sports clubs in Turkey, with respect to their structure, administration and functionality in Turkey?s sports system.This study has a phenomenological research design and utilizes qualitative research methods. The study?s sample was determined by purposeful sampling methods. Therefore, it samples ten sports clubs from Germany and from Turkey. Using semi-structured interview techniques, researcher conducted face-to-face interviews with the stakeholders. Then, a ?descriptive analysis? method was applied to the obtained data.The findings indicated some similarities and differences between sports clubs in Germany and in Turkey. Similarities include the legal status of clubs, their constitution, organisational structure, some expenses, and some financial problems. These problems stemmed mostly from the lack of a professional club manager, and lack of support from the country?s managing sports umbrella organisations. Differences include various cases; for example, there are clubs in Turkey that are subject to different kinds of classification. Also, membership fees are not an efficent resource of income in Turkey, there are problems with provision of facilities, and there is a lack of support from the government and independent sports organizations. In some cases, there are no relationships between the clubs and these independent organizations.A particularly notable difference is the absence of the derivision of income in Turkish sports clubs through fees such as in the ?membership system? in Germany clubs. This condition deprives Turkish sports clubs of an important source of income.As mentioned before, the data revealed that sports clubs in Turkey are experiencing difficulties in providing facilities.The German conception that allows schools and municipalities to allocate their fields and facilities to sports clubs is not developed in Turkey.Furthermore, there is no mentality of voluntarism in human resources in sports clubs in Turkey. To the contrary, in Germany, the involvement of volunteers in sports clubs is widespread and their contribution to the economy of the country is considerable.Finally, it is popularly thought that Turkish sports clubs need reconstruction. Through consideration of the existing literature and the research findings, researcher developed and put forth some principles concerning the reconstruction of Turkish sports clubs. Accordingly, it is claimed that the concepts of the membership system and voluntarism need to be developed in sports clubs. Furthermore, sports facilities should be provided and easily accessible. The foundation of autonomous local sport associations, regulation of the laws with apply to sports clubs, and revision of the sports system are also required. The new approach developed through the study?s findings will guide reconstruction of Turkish sports clubs to increase effectiveness and functionality, promoting the concept of democratic sports management.Keywords: Sports Clubs, Sports Organisation, Turkish sport Management, German Sports Management