
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 Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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