
The director Stefan Thomé sent out the invites and Michael Schade was one of the people who called in. "For Bayer 04 it's good to know we have a completely reliable partner at our side in the Fan Project," said the CEO and he went on to praise the first-class work of Thomé and his colleagues Daniela Frühling and Hannes Diller.
For 20 years, the Fan Project has looked after Werkself fans at home and away games, taken part in security meetings, provided advice with personal problems and conflicts related to football and organised preventive events on the subjects of violence, racism and bullying in schools. In addition, there are regular football and running sessions.
"The successful concept of the Fan Project is based on well thought out educational work," said Uwe Richrat, Mayor of the City of Leverkusen, and Marc Adomat, head of the Department for Schools and Sports, added: "The Fan Project, with its full-time and voluntary staff, regularly succeeds in ensuring that football at the BayArena is one of the best activities in the world."


The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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