TSV Handschuhsheim

What TSV Handschuhsheim does

TSV Handschuhsheim Rugby, branded "Die Löwen," is the rugby department (Abteilung Rugby) of the registered sports association Turn- und Sportverein Handschuhsheim 1886 e.V., based in Heidelberg, Germany. Founded in 1949 and celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, the club operates a comprehensive rugby program spanning youth (U8 through U18), senior men's (1. XV competing in the unified Rugby Bundesliga; 2. XV in Regionalliga Baden-Württemberg), women's (Löwinnen/Lionesses in Frauenbundesliga A), and veterans (Silberlöwen). Home facilities include Lionspark/Neckarfeld and a clubhouse on Tiergartenstraße in Heidelberg.

The organization is a nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) governed by elected members rather than shareholders. Its operating model is funded through member dues, sponsorship, fundraising (including a "Klubkasse" financing tool), and grant support (e.g., DFJW funding for international youth exchange). Distribution is direct membership enrollment via the club's Beitrittserklärung process, with marketing conducted through the official website, Facebook, Instagram, and an email newsletter ("Löwengebrüll").

Its competitive position is anchored in youth development — evidenced by three consecutive U14 German Championships (2022–2024), a U16 7s German Championship "double" through 2026, and a Women's 7s national bronze in 2025 — and in international programs (annual youth exchange with Vichy, France). The club completed a significant internal restructuring in November 2024 under a new Abteilungsleiter, professionalizing its leadership and adding dedicated roles for marketing, finance, youth coordination, and technical direction of first and second teams.

Name

TSV Handschuhsheim

Legal name

Turn- und Sportverein Handschuhsheim 1886 e. V. – Abteilung Rugby

Website

https://tsv-rugby.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TSV Handschuhsheim Rugby is a Heidelberg-based nonprofit rugby club, founded 1949, operating men's, women's, veterans, and youth (U8–U18) teams in German national and regional leagues, funded by membership dues, sponsorships, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Rugby Sports Club

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Amateur rugby club
• Youth rugby programs
• Rugby training
• Competitive rugby leagues
• Community sports club

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidelberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TSV Handschuhsheim Rugby (Die Löwen) is the rugby department of the registered sports association TSV Handschuhsheim 1886 e.V., providing organized rugby participation, training, and competitive match play for members in Heidelberg, Germany. The club fields senior men's, women's, veterans, and youth (U8–U16) teams competing in the German Rugby-Bundesliga and national youth championships. Membership is acquired through a Beitrittserklärung (membership application) and supported by sponsorships, fundraising, and community events.

Product overview

TSV Handschuhsheim Rugby (Die Löwen) is a comprehensive rugby sports club offering programs across all age groups and genders. The club operates multiple teams: the 1. XV (first team) in the Bundesliga Südwest, a 2. XV/Junglöwen in regional league, the Löwinnen/Lionesses women's team in Frauenbundesliga A, the Silberlöwen veterans team, and youth programs spanning U8 through U16. The club hosts home games at the Lionspark and Neckarfeld facilities in Heidelberg and organizes events including the Lions' Wintercup youth tournament.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TSV Handschuhsheim Rugby Club Membership Membership in the rugby department of TSV Handschuhsheim 1886 e.V., accessed via a Beitrittserklärung (membership application), granting participation in rugby training, league play, and club events for adults and youth in Heidelberg.
• Senior Men's First Team (1. XV / Die Löwen) Rugby Participation Competitive senior men's rugby team participation in the unified German Rugby-Bundesliga (formerly Bundesliga Südwest) and national playoffs, coached by Lukas Rosenthal and technically directed by Merlin Drehsen.
• Women's Rugby Team (Löwinnen / Lionesses) Participation Competitive women's rugby participation in the Women's Bundesliga A (Frauenbundesliga A) and 7s national championships, coached by Thomas Genthner and Hans-Jörg Noll and competing as SG Lionesses.
• Youth Rugby Program (Junglöwen / U8–U16) Organized age-group rugby training and youth league competition for children and teenagers from U8 through U16, including participation in German youth championships and the Lions' Wintercup youth tournament.
• Veterans / Senior Rugby Team (Silberlöwen) Participation Senior/veteran rugby participation for experienced players, providing ongoing competitive and recreational rugby opportunities across the Heidelberg region.
• Second Men's Team (2. XV / Junglöwen) Rugby Participation Senior men's second team rugby participation in the regional league (Regionalliga Baden-Württemberg), functioning as a development squad for the first team under Technical Director Dominique Vette.
• Heidelberg Rugby Club Facilities (Lionspark / Neckarfeld) Home playing fields and clubhouse in Heidelberg used for training, league matches, tournaments, and member events such as the annual summer festival and member assembly.

Quantifiable outcome

• Third consecutive German Championship title (Threepeat) for U14 team in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Vichy Rugby ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Ongoing youth exchange program with Vichy, France, funded by Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW). Annual Easter exchanges allow youth players to experience rugby culture in France and host French players in Heidelberg.
• Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman-French Youth Office provides funding support for the annual youth exchange program between TSV Handschuhsheim and Vichy rugby club.
• Reisebüro SpechtminorOthersTravel agency sponsor displayed on the club website sponsors section.
• Langer & MessmerminorOthersSponsor displayed on the club website sponsors section.
• KlubkasseminorOthersPartner/financing option for club members to support the team.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• TV Pforzheim Rugby: TV Pforzheim is a Baden-Württemberg rugby club competing in the Rugby-Bundesliga Südwest. Comparable as a regional rugby club with multi-age-group youth programs.
• Rugby-Gesellschaft Heidelberg (RGH): RGH is a Heidelberg-based rugby club in the German Rugby-Bundesliga. Direct competitor in the same city and league, with similar community-based and amateur operations.
• SC Neuenheim: SC Neuenheim is a Heidelberg-based rugby club competing in the German Rugby-Bundesliga. Directly comparable as a regional rugby rival and competing in the same city/local league.
• SC Germania List Hannover: Germania List is the reigning German rugby champion for many years and a top Bundesliga club. Comparable as a senior men's rugby club with national-level competition and youth development programs.
• Stuttgarter RC: Stuttgarter RC is a Baden-Württemberg rugby club in the German Rugby-Bundesliga. Comparable as a metropolitan-area rugby club with men's and women's teams.

Others

• Rugby Deutschland (DRV): National federation governing rugby in Germany. Not a peer but a closely related entity that organizes the Bundesliga in which TSV competes and employs former TSV deputy Matthias Bechtel.
• TSV Handschuhsheim 1886 e.V. (parent): Parent association of the rugby department, covering multiple sports under the TSV Handschuhsheim banner. Comparable as the umbrella nonprofit organization governing the rugby sub-entity.

Regional players

• Heidelberger Ruderklub (HRK): HRK is a Heidelberg-based rowing club that competes against TSV in cross-club fixture scheduling. Comparable as a Heidelberg-based traditional sports club with membership operations.
• RC Rottweil: RC Rottweil is a southern German rugby club participating in regional competition. Comparable as a grassroots German rugby club, though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/730266287953872
• Instagraminstagram.com/tsv_lionesse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tsv-handschuhsheim

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TSV Handschuhsheim