
Who are 'goolkids'?
The goolkids Society from Bamberg - Stefan Kießling's hometown - functions as a network between children, clubs, schools, associations and sponsors to provide a bridge between people in need and people offering support. The aim is to integrate socially disadvantaged teenagers regardless of background by providing integration through sport.
Stefan Kießling, a goolkids ambassador, said of his commitment: "When it's about kids you can always help – 365 days a year."
Collection point project
Amongst a range of different projects there are collection points: Parents and children can help by taking sports kit (shirts, shorts, boots, training kits), that they have grown out of, to local collection points. Thanks to these donations socially disadvantaged teenagers can join in with a goolkids sports event or at a club and make contacts. If any sports kit is left over it will be collected centrally and given away to youngsters in need and excess funds will be donated to poor countries.
Do you want to donate sports kit? You can hand in your kit at the following locations: The collection points are available from Monday 11 September to 29 September 2017 at the Kurtekotten Academy, the Service Centre East at the BayArena on Bismarckstraße as well as at the Fan House on Breidenbachstraße and the Fan Container (on matchdays).


The fixture details for the Bayer 04 Women’s first match in the 2026/27 DFB Pokal has been confirmed: As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday morning, the Leverkusen Women will face second-tier side FC Viktoria Berlin in the first round on Sunday 27 September at 14:00 CEST.
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Once again, well over 100 Werkself fans were delighted to receive an invitation from the club’s record appearance-maker, Rüdiger Vollborn, to the sold-out Schwadbud at the BayArena. This time, the supporters listened as the club historian provided fascinating, exclusive insights into the period from Bayer 04 being founded in 1904 to the club’s promotion to the Bundesliga in 1979. A journey through time is also planned for the upcoming ‘Rudi lädt ein’ event in early November – this time focusing on the years of the Nazi regime.
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Getting in the mood for the new season together, exchanging ideas and looking ahead to the coming months: Bayer 04 welcomed partners to the BayArena for the annual sponsors season-launch event. In a relaxed atmosphere, the management, head coach and players came together with representatives from partner companies to celebrate the start of the 2026/27 season.
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Happy children’s faces at the SSV Lützenkirchen training ground: For the 25th time, the Birkenberg soccer school – organised by SportBund Leverkusen – offered participating youngsters an exciting holiday activity. Meeting a Bayer 04 player has now become a cherished tradition. This time, Ibrahim Maza visited the 150 children and spoke to them about his World Cup experiences, amongst other things. “It’s always lovely to see the children’s enthusiasm for football,” said the 20-year-old, after bringing a sparkle to many eyes with selfies and autographs.
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