Florence Schelling settles accounts with SC Bern

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In April 2020, Florence Schelling (34) became the first woman to become sports director of a premier league hockey club. Her appointment made headlines around the world.

It goes without saying that this project was and is under special observation. Two years after her dismissal, Schelling spoke for the first time in the magazine “Sportlerin” about her commitment to SCB.

Preferred candidate with no real chance

Schelling himself was surprised by the request at the time. While she had the first meeting in Bern for an interview, Marc Lüthi (61) immediately offered her the job. Although the offer came “out of the blue”, Schelling was quickly convinced and told himself, “I can do it! Why wouldn’t I? I had not applied. The SCB wanted me! »

According to her own statement, she never really got a chance. This was already clear to her subconsciously after two weeks. “According to the motto: ‘Meitschi, what do you want here?'” Some people made her feel unwelcome. She denies bullying or accusations of sexism, but rhetorically asks when does bullying start?

“There were confrontational conversations,” says Schelling after feeling that people in the club were working against her. Ineffective. “I was hoping for changes.” After all, she came to SCB with the assignment to breathe a breath of fresh air into the club and to break through outdated thinking patterns and structures. It turned out to be impossible. “I often heard from friends: ‘If you had a beak, it would be easier!'”

On the charge of “resistance to advice,” Schelling says, “I just didn’t say yes and amen to everything. If you interpret that as resistance to advice, then I have to accept that.”

Sporty clear conscience, but too many interviews

Schelling does not blame himself in terms of sport. “Honestly, the job itself isn’t hard, it’s just a lot.” Due to the media work and the pandemic, even “way too many for months”. Looking back, she says she should have asked for help sooner. Due to the many interviews, she was never able to get to know the SCB in peace.

As the first head of sport in men’s ice hockey, she was (too) in demand. O-Ton Schelling: With ‘Schnäbeli’ this would have been omitted. “And the media coverage has not gotten any better. If there are unjustified things in the newspapers every day that are not correct, it is distressing.”

But giving up was not an option for Schelling. When the name Chris McSorley was traded as a possible successor to Schelling in early 2021, she called Marc Lüthi and asked “if I should come to the office”. Shortly thereafter, the position of CSO was created for Raeto Raffainer. After another internal incident in April, Schelling asked Marc Lüthi for a vote of confidence. “He hesitated with the answer, so it was clear to me that it was going to end. I was released two or three days later.”

Spicy: When Schelling was fired, silence was agreed with the club. SC Bern therefore does not want to comment on the subject at Blick’s request. (dti)

Source : Blick