Back
11.04.2017Football Academy

Bellarabi as surprise visitor to Easter camp

The holidays are here and the Bayer 04 Soccer School Easter camp is in full swing. Over 100 football-mad children aged from six to fourteen are taking part in the first week following their favourite activity in the school holidays under professional conditions.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

All the camp participants start the day at nine in the morning with a healthy breakfast, followed by the first training session. The second session starts after lunch at two in the afternoon.
There was a highlight for the kids on Tuesday afternoon with a very special press conference. The youngsters waited in the press room for a Werkself pro to field their questions - but who would it be? They were told the player had just had his birthday and the kids produced the right answers: Karim Bellarabi. There was much excitement and he was greeted with a serenade. Karim spent an hour answering a wide range of questions.
"Why did you become a footballer," was the first question. "I always dreamt of becoming a professional player. I played football all the time as a kid just like you are now," recalled Bellarabi. And "who 's your favourite opponents?", the kids wanted to know. "Barcelona when I 'd just turned 18 years old. We did lose heavily but It's a game I'll never forget," replied Karim as he went on to talk about his favourite players, his injuries and his career.
After the round of questions, every camp participant was able to take a selfie or get an autograph before entering the BayArena. There was a short tour with the kids enjoying the chance to see the Werkself ground from a player's perspective including the Mixed Zone and the dressing room 

The day was not just a hit for the youngsters as Karim Bellarabi also enjoyed this special event: "It was great fun and something different. Perhaps we'll see some of the kids in a Werkself shirt someday."

The weeks at the camp all end with a tournament. The kids will play in Bayer 04 kits and show their parents what they've learned over the week.

The second camp takes place in the second week of the Easter holidays from Tuesday to Friday. The Soccer School is also being held from 19 to 21 April in Bocholt and on Saturday, the day of the match against Bayern, there is a one-day special event for young football fanatics ending in going to the match.

Related News

crop_imago1079135168.jpg
Bayer 04 - 04.07.2026

World Cup blog: Palacios, Grimaldo, Quansah and Tillman through to Round of 16

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.

Show more
Leistungstests und erste Trainings: Wie die Bayer 04-Frauen mit ihren Neuzugängen in die Vorbereitung starten
Werkself-TV - 02.07.2026

Diagnostics and training: Bayer 04 Women with new faces start pre-season

At the end of June, Bayer 04 became the first team in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga to begin their pre-season preparations. As well as training sessions at the Kurtekotten facility, the players under coach Roberto Pätzold completed the customary series of performance diagnostics. Werkself-TV presents exclusive insights and player interviews from the first few days after the summer break.

Show more
Francis Onyeka und Montrell Culbreath
Youth - 02.07.2026

U19 European Championship in Wales: Germany make semis – Culbreath and Onyeka on target

Following their 4–3 opening victory against Denmark, the Germany U19s made it two wins out of two by defeating hosts Wales, securing their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare. In the 4–0 win, Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka once again put in impressive performances, with both finding the back of the net.

Show more
Sana Coskun
Women - 01.07.2026

Young talent Sana Coskun signs contract with Bayer 04

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed home-grown talent Sana Coskun on professional terms. The 18-year-old midfielder, who made her Bundesliga debut last season, has signed a contract to 30 June 2029.

Show more