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In the midst of the Corona crisis, SC Bern is making headlines far beyond the country’s borders. CEO Marc Lüthi is the first hockey boss to put the fate of his sports department in the hands of a woman. Once the best goalkeeper in the world, Florence Schelling (31) becomes sports director. An innovative, courageous, but also risky decision. According to the reactions.
“Only one wrote to me:‹ A woman as SCB’s sports director? That doesn’t work at all ›», says Lüthi. Many would have congratulated him. But there are also critical tones in the anonymity of the Internet. “What herb did Lüthi smoke here?” Asks Hitcher on the SCB bulletin board, for example. Jelly users find it “so ridiculous.” But the decision surprised everyone. The team too.
Some immediately call their teammates. «She is the first sports director in the world. Is that special? Of course I would be lying if I said otherwise, ”striker Thomas Rüfenacht said.
“I made big eyes”
Tristan Scherwey made himself comfortable in front of the television after breakfast on Wednesday morning. “I fall asleep. When I woke up at 11.25 a.m. and unlocked my cell phone, I saw the SCB message we received by email from the media. I immediately called the BLICK home page and saw that the message was already online. If you read that message after a nap, you will be wide-eyed.
Many would have asked him about Schelling and wanted to know what he thought of the decision. “I said the same thing to everyone: I made big eyes, but I am convinced that we will all support it. When Lüthi, Äxgüsi, Marc says that he was looking for a young, dynamic and fresh person, it is certainly true of Florence. I don’t know her, but I’ve only heard good things.
The darling of the Bern public is also proud. “I think it’s great if I belong to a club that does such a premiere. One more reason to completely attack next season. But Scherwey would not be Scherwey if he did not think of Alex Chatelain’s predecessor. “I am so sorry for Alex.”
Ramon Untersander was also amazed. I don’t think anybody was waiting for Florence. A brave step », says the defender and draws attention to the change in the club. «It is also good, a new face is coming. Whether this is a woman or a man should not matter today. Other than that, I’m not the one to jump to conclusions or prejudge someone. Everyone deserves a chance. Anyway: why shouldn’t Florence be able to do that?
The 29-year-old man also had no supervisor, but was treated by a masseur during his stay in Biel. Of course it is unusual. But everything new is unusual. If the door opens for women now, it will be normal sometime. Untersander admits: ‘I never thought if a woman could fit in. Because I never thought that a woman would be the sports director. It will show if it works. »
The silver hero of the World Cup hardly knows Schelling. “We met briefly at the Olympics. And I saw her at the hockey awards. My brother-in-law told me that he once played against her as a novice in Davos.
Work is new territory for Schelling
Schelling will need thick skin in Bern. Despite three championship titles in four years, Alex Chatelain was repeatedly exposed to cheap criticism. Before that, Sven Leuenberger arrivals were often dismissed as “lottery transfers.” “Florence will be able to deal with criticism,” says Untersander. “Marc Lüthi and Rolf Bachmann will introduce and support them.”
Work is new territory for the 31-year-old man. The hockey scene is a family. Contacts are quickly established, “says Lüthi. Rüfenacht mentions Schelling’s masters in business administration. “It is also about budget loyalty. You have to run this store and be able to deal with people. Of course, you will have to attract players to Bern. Whether it succeeds depends on our performance. “
Rüfenacht suspects: “It probably isn’t easy for women in managerial positions in every business. You have to get respect first. I wish Florence the best. Nothing is given to her either. You will have to break barriers. A challenge But ambitious people like challenges. ” Rüfenacht makes comparisons to the game. “It is like being promoted from the fourth to the first line. You have to be ready when you have the chance.
The 35-year-old man recently extended his contract for two years. He doubts having much contact with Schelling. Because: «I didn’t have much contact with Alex either. I’m not looking for that, nor do I call my agent when things go wrong. ” It is clear to Rüfenacht: “Many men will now be jealous. Because many want that job. It’s a great job.
Schelling wears it Tuesday, initially working 50 percent after his ski accident that broke his sixth cervical vertebra last year. The team is still on vacation.
Comment from Ice Hockey Reporter Nicole Vandenbrouck
A woman has an opportunity if you give it to her. It sounds disrespectful, but it’s like that in a male domain like ice hockey. Respect that Florence Schelling has the courage to take on the job of SCB’s sporting director.
After more than 25 years In business, in a non-comparable role, as a hockey reporter, I still have an idea of what you’re dealing with: skepticism, bias, mistrust, criticism, cliché thinking. Despite the fact that she is a former player.
Unfounded criticism It was the worst for me personally when I started. If a man makes a mistake, it is a mistake. But with a woman everything else: ignorance, stupidity, disability, a woman. A cowardly argument for me. And very frustrating because I … hey, surprise! – I can’t change that I’m a woman.
With objective criticism a woman, on the other hand, can and will manage her performance well. We can learn from it, improve ourselves, bite it, develop ourselves more. So that we are not only tolerated and accepted in this masculine domain, but also respected.
So I wish Florence they are treated fairly. The players, the agents, their colleagues. So every woman in a male domain has a chance to prove herself.
A woman in (also fascinating to us) Being a hockey business is not a disadvantage, it is not an advantage, it is not an excuse or an excuse. But it can be a fortress. Because we have another perspective besides sports.
As a sports director told me this season: This look behind the athlete in people is as important today as that of his abilities.
