This is also the case with Swiss Hockey and its member clubs: without the volunteer commitment of its members, nothing would function at all. And this isn’t just about the “resource” aspect. Rather, it’s the passion, creativity, and enthusiasm that volunteers bring to the table—and in doing so, they shape the culture, heart, and soul of a club. Many moms and dads are connected to the club through their children: they bake cakes, man the grill, drive and look after not only their own children at the games… or even get involved with the association itself.

But why do some sacrifice their free time—time when, after a hard day’s work, they could certainly be doing something better than looking after others or their club—while others actually prefer to relax? What is it that drives volunteers to get involved?

We had the chance to speak with Lilly Scheller. She’s not only responsible for the BeHC’s junior teams but is also the youngest member of a Swiss Hockey club’s board.

Swiss Hockey: Lilly, you’re on the board of Berner HC and are responsible for the junior teams there. Why don’t you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Lilly: My name is Lilly, I’m 21 years old, and I’m studying social sciences at the University of Bern. I’ve been a player on the women’s team since 2024 and have also been active on the board for about a year. Hockey has been a part of my life since childhood, and for me, there’s no better feeling than being out on the field—especially as a player, but in the future also more often as a coach for the juniors.

Swiss Hockey: You’re still a student, and the “typical board member” is usually a bit older. What motivates you to serve on the Berner HC board? Why do you do this?

Lilly: For me, serving on the board is a way to give something back to my team and the club. It brings me great joy to be part of this club, which wouldn’t be possible without the work of the board and the coaches. So for me, it’s also a way to show appreciation for the work our coaches and board members do.

I really value working with the other board members and am a big fan of diversity within the board and the club. Everyone brings their own perspectives and ideas, which allows us to learn from one another and support each other in the best possible way.

Swiss Hockey: You also attended your first Swiss Hockey General Assembly in April of this year. What were your expectations and concerns? How did you find the GA?

Lilly: I went into the GA with an open mind. Since this was a new situation for me, I just let things unfold naturally at first. My focus was on getting my bearings and understanding what role we play as a club and how the association operates. For me, the first General Assembly was an exciting and thrilling day during which I learned a great deal of new information that inspired me and that I’ll incorporate into my club work, and I also had the chance to meet wonderful people from other clubs and from the federation.

Swiss Hockey: The junior division is the future of every club. Where do you see the challenges for your club, and how do you plan to address them?

Lilly: A key challenge is attracting new players to the junior program and retaining them in our club so they can later play on the active men’s and women’s teams. We can achieve this by giving them the opportunity to develop as athletes. To do this, we need an attractive training environment and, of course, people who are willing to get involved in the junior program.

Furthermore, I believe good cooperation within the board—as well as between the board, the juniors, and their parents—is very important. Above all, hockey should be fun for the young players. If they enjoy playing, they’ll be happy to stay part of the team and will hopefully become loyal club members. As a club, we can foster this by organizing joint activities and events that strengthen their sense of belonging to the club.

Swiss Hockey: And how can the association support you in this?

Lilly: For me, the federation is an important partner that supports me and the club in our work and creates space for new ideas and projects. This also includes the federation’s public relations efforts, which I consider very important because they increase the overall visibility of our sport. One great result of this collaboration, for example, is that we’ll be participating in the “Fit4Future” Days this summer. This is a fantastic opportunity for our club to raise awareness of the sport in Bern and recruit new kids for our junior teams.

Swiss Hockey: Thank you very much for the fascinating interview, Lilly. We wish you continued joy and fulfillment in your work with the Bern Hockey Club.