Austrian Federal Sports Organization

In the state sector, the Federal Ministry of Defense and Sport and the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy are responsible for the various tasks of the sport at federal level. In addition, individual sports-specific subject areas can also fall into the area of competence of other federal ministries (such as Youth & Sport, Violence prevention at major sporting events, etc.).

Since, according to Article 15 B-VG, agendas of sport fall within the constitutional sphere of action of the federal states, nine regional sports directorates are also established.

The Austrian Federal Sports Organization is the non-governmental umbrella organization of the Austrian sport and coordinates matters of sport with the responsible state agencies. The regular members of the BSO are the three umbrella organizations ASKÖ, ASVÖ and Sportunion, which currently has 60 recognized trade associations as well as the Austrian Disabled Sports Association, the Austrian Olympic Committee, the Austrian Paralympic Committee and the Special Olympics. Extraordinary members are the provinces, as far as they declare their membership as well as all-Austrian associations of special importance (e.g. Österr. Betriebsssportverband, Österr. Heeressportverband, etc.). The full members have the right to vote in the individual committees of the BSO, such as the Austrian Sports Assembly, the Austrian Sports Council and the Austrian Sports Council.

The BSO offers its members a wide range of services. In addition to support in terms of subsidy billing, the BSO office advises its members in a variety of topics. The personal consulting activities of the BSO office are complemented by regular training courses offered by external experts.

With a broad and above all high-quality training in the areas of sports club management and coaching, the Austrian Federal Sports Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport and the Federal Sports Academy strives for high standards and accents in the world of Austrian sports. The athletic excellence and success of the local athletes are seen as a result of professional work and the commitment of the officials in the clubs and associations as well as well-trained coaches. The continuing education and training offers of the BSO should give all functionaries, co-workers or trainers working in Austrian sports the opportunity to develop themselves further and to be even more professional.

Giving sport a voice not only nationally but also internationally is a goal that has been pursued by the BSO for many years. The partnership with the EU Office of the European Olympic Committees ensures an exchange of information and a strong representation of sport among decision-makers and institutions in Brussels.

A central topic of the work and the tasks of the BSO is the aspect "social responsibility and social policy". The BSO sees the need for issues such as inclusion and inclusion, the protection of children and adolescents, the greening of sport in terms of sustainability, gender equality in sport, as well as the invaluable voluntary commitment, without which organized sport in this form is not exist, create awareness and use sport as a positive multiplier.

The initiative for the "Daily Gymnastics lesson" 2012/13 was also a successful move to draw attention to the health of the children. With more than 150,000 supporters it was possible to raise awareness of the importance of daily exercise units for children and adolescents. The BSO was able to reach a broad public with this initiative.

Cooperations with the media, companies and initiatives are a central part of sports advocacy for the BSO. In order to be able to best represent the member associations and various sports, the BSO is committed to promoting the values and concerns of sport through partnerships, campaigns and events to communicate to a broad public.

At the BSO Cristall Gala, Austria's best coaches, officials, sports clubs and sports ambassadors are awarded each year by the BSO in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport. There is also a women's power award. All member associations of the BSO and their associations are entitled to nominate personalities and projects that meet the requirements for the respective categories.