As part of the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation’s 'Kickoff for a New Life' initiative, Bayer 04 strengthened the connection between professional football, rehabilitation and social integration last year. For example, women's first team player Vanessa Haim visited the correctional facility in Wuppertal, trained with the inmates and engaged in discussions with them. Bayer 04’s all-time leading appearance maker, Rüdiger Vollborn, also answered the many questions from the inmates during a discussion session.
For several years now, Bayer 04 officials, coaches and players have been visiting the prison on a regular basis to train with the inmates and offer them a welcome break from their daily prison routine.
Frank Linde, who is responsible for the prison partnership programme at Bayer 04, among other things, emphasised the social significance of this action during the award ceremony: “As a professional club, we recognise our responsibility and are very happy to support our colleagues at the prison. Football has enormous power: when the ball is rolling, everyone is equal - and worries fade into the background for a moment.”
Linde regularly seeks out conversations with inmates. “It’s touching to see how much appreciation is generated when you give people your time and attention. Everyone has made mistakes, that’s undeniable. But every person deserves a second chance. Anyone who is willing to change their life should be given that opportunity.”
Amateur football, in particular, offers important opportunities for a successful reintegration into society, Linde continued: “Social bonds form quickly within a team. This often prevents a relapse into old habits. Football instills values such as solidarity, fairness, conflict resolution and team spirit - all skills that are incredibly important in everyday life.”
In addition to Bayer 04, the Butzbach Prison (Hessian Football Association) took second place and SG Oftersheim (Baden Football Association) took third place in the rehabilitation category.
Photos: Carsten Kobow / DFB-Stiftung Sepp Herberger & Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Several figures from the worlds of sport, politics and society came to this year's awards ceremony, including DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, Lower-Saxony Minister-President Olaf Lies and Dr Christiane Schenderlein, Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering. From sport, World Cup winner Philipp Lahm, coaching legend Otto Rehhagel as well as long-time Germany and Leverkusen player Jens Nowotny were in attendance in Wolfsburg to honour the great commitment of the prize-winners.
About the Sepp Herberger Awards:
The Sepp Herberger Awards shine a spotlight on people and initiatives that take responsibility and strengthen the community. In line with the foundation’s priorities, awards are given to projects in the categories of disabled football, rehabilitation, schools and clubs, football charity, and social welfare. In 2026, the 11 award winners from five categories received a total of €100,000 in prize money. The introduction of the 'Resocialisation' category stems from a formative visit by Sepp Herberger to the Bruchsal Prison in 1980. The 1954 World Cup-winning coach recognised the potential of football for people in prison - a realisation that shaped his social commitment from that point on. To this day, rehabilitation remains one of the central missions of the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation.
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