
In addition to special targeted measures on primary prevention and the promotion of general health, Bayer 04 and the BERGISCHE KRANKENKASSE have and will increasingly focus on children and teenagers and thereby go beyond the traditional field of occupational health. The "Lebenswelt Schule" will play a significant role in those activities.
In the region during 2023, a project of the Bayer 04 Lernkurve organised 45 workshop for year groups 1 to 5 with 30 children per workshop attending in their classes. The content focused on the ability to work in a team, nutrition, anti-bullying measures and media skills. A multi-school parents evening is planned in the spring of 2024 to enable the BERGISCHE KRANKENKASSE and Bayer 04 to provide information on health promotion and primary prevention to parents as well as the children.
Under the motto of ‘Werkself hautnah gesund erleben' (experience the Werkself close-up healthily) there were eight events organised by Bayer 04 and BERGISCHE KRANKENKASSE in association with home games at the current Bundesliga league leaders. 35 to 40 children took part in the activities, which recently included training sessions at the Bayer 04 Soccer School where children were informed about the cardiovascular system and sport through practical sessions. The BERGISCHE KRANKENKASSE extended the programme of events by organising a Family Olympics.
In future, the issue of healthy nutrition will increasingly be highlighted by the ‘Werkself hautnah gesund erleben’ project. Up to the summer of 2024 there will be five other events of this type at Werkself home games.

Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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