Is it possible for a sports club to be more than just a place to train? Here at Turngemeinschaft Vorwärts 1874, history, community, and athletic achievement intertwine. It is a story that stretches back over a century.
Turngemeinschaft Vorwärts Frankfurt has a rich past. Its roots reach back to 1874 with the founding of Turngesellschaft Rödelheim. The name “Vorwärts” which means “forward” was proposed by Christian Meller. He was a turner with a vision. The club was officially founded in 1882. It was originally known as Turnverein Vorwärts Bockenheim until 1951. In 1999, the club celebrated its 125th anniversary. This underscored its long-standing presence in Frankfurt.
Today, Turngemeinschaft Vorwärts boasts around 1,050 members. The club has a large sports facility with a newly built clubhouse in Frankfurt-Rödelheim. It also features its own gymnasium. Ten different departments offer a wide range of sports activities.
Hockey is one of the most prominent sports at TGS Vorwärts. The club fields multiple adult teams in both field and hall hockey. In the 2016/2017 season, the hockey department had three adult field teams. They also had five hall teams. The men’s field teams competed in the 2nd Regionalliga Gruppe West and the 1st Verbandsliga Hessen. The women’s field team played in the Oberliga Hessen. During the hall season, the men’s teams participated in the Oberliga Hessen. Other men’s teams were in the 1st and 4th Verbandsliga Hessen. The women’s hall teams competed in the Oberliga Hessen and the 3rd Verbandsliga Hessen. The field hockey matches take place at the sports facility on Rebstöcker Weg. Hall hockey games are held at BiKuz in Frankfurt-Höchst.
The handball players of TV Vorwärts achieved remarkable success between 1958 and 1969. They won the Southwest German Championship in indoor handball ten times. This included seven consecutive titles from 1958 to 1964. These victories allowed Vorwärts to participate in the German Championship final round ten times. The greatest achievement came on February 18, 1961, in Ketsch. The team defeated Eimsbütteler TV 3:2 in the semi-finals. They advanced to the final against RSV Mülheim but lost 4:5 after two overtimes. In 1962 and 1963, they again reached the semi-finals but were defeated. After 1969, other clubs like PSV Grünweiß Frankfurt dominated women’s handball in the region.
Turngemeinschaft Vorwärts remains an active sports club. It offers a variety of activities. These include hockey, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, beach volleyball, dart, cricket. There is also ice skating, roller skating, roller hockey, aikido, a running club, and senior gymnastics. The club continues to promote sports. It also fosters a sense of community in Frankfurt.
The TGS Vorwärts Frankfurt is more than just a sports club. It embodies the spirit of Frankfurt. The club’s long history, diverse sports offerings, and commitment to community make it a vital part of the city. As you stand here, you are witnessing a living legacy. It is a legacy of athletic achievement and community spirit.