“People talk about youth football a lot. We acted. Our youth teams have been amongst the best in German for many years now. Thanks to Bayer plc we have been able to create perfect infrastrucural conditions for our youth team players.
We are very proud of it. We must that Bayer plc and the responsible employees for making all of this happen. Our youth teams will do everything in their power to be good ambassadors for Bayer,” said general manager Wolfgang Holzhäuser.
The new centre doesn’t only impress because of its functionality. The small details often make the difference.
“It is yet another milestone in committed youth team work. The construction of the Youth Centre Kurtekotten is now finished. I would like to thank everybody involved in making this happen in the name of our players, our coaches and the officials.
The professional side and especially out most important partner, Bayer plc, have given us a first class facility to educate young players. It is definitely one of the best facilities in Germany. Our employees will work even harder with the youth teams now and hopefully we can repay the club and Bayer plc,” said the former head of the youth department and current manager Michael Reschke.
Something very special
The new facility is certainly something very special for all members of the Bayer 04 youth department. Conscious handling, thoughtful caring and the knowledge that the facility is unique is being “lived” by every single member of the Bayer 04 youth department.
Honorary DFB president Egidius Braun was thrilled when he visited the facility when building had only just commenced. He was also a guest of honour when the Youth Centre Kurtekotten was officially opened. In his speech Egidius Braun said:
“Bayer plc and Bayer 04 have showed their outright commitment to youth football by building this facility. All I can do is congratulate all of the young players and coaches on this facility and wish them a lot of fun.”
Important guests witness opening ceremony
Dr. Manfred Schneider, who was the chairman of the Bayer plc supervisory board at the time, Werner Wenning, Bayer plc chairman of the board and chairman of the Bayer 04 supervisory board and Rudi Völler all witnessed the opening ceremony of the Youth Centre Kurtekotten in May 2000.
Horst R. Schmidt (DFB secretary general), Wilfried Straub (DFL League secretary), Wolfgang Holzhäuser (Bayer 04 general manager), Meinolf Sprink (Bayer Plc sports commissioner), his predecessor Jürgen von Einem, Fritz Schramma (lord major of Cologne), Karl-Josef Tanas (FVM president), Dr. Rolf Bierhoff (RWE chairman of the board), Manfred Herpolsheimer (Sparkasse Leverkusen chairman of the board) along with other guest of honour were also present.
In the name of all of the players, coaches and members of the staff department head Kurt Vossen said, „A dream has come true for us. The facility is absolutely outstanding and is one of the best in Europe. We would all like to thank Bayer plc and the officials for their commitment to the project. We are all very proud of our Youth Centre Kurtekotten!”