The award and the associated prize money are aimed at particularly committed clubs from the Middle Rhine (FVM) and Lower Rhine (FVN) football associations. Since 2007, Bayer 04 Sportförderung gGmbH has awarded the Volunteers Award, which has already provided 55 clubs with more than €250,000 in financial support. Last year, the prize went to SV Schlebusch 1923 e.V., Vorwärts Spoho 98 e.V. and DJK Rheinkraft Neuss 1914 e.V.. Once again this year, 46 clubs from both areas of the association applied.
This year's winners were honoured on Sunday, 3 December, during the Werkself’s Bundesliga home match against Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena by the advisory board, consisting of Fernando Carro (Bayer 04 managing director), Peter Frymuth (FVN president), Dirk Brennecke (FVM managing director) and Marc Adomat (Leverkusen city director).
“Volunteering is a fundamental component of football,” said Carro. “The voluntary work of each and every individual in sport conveys and promotes values that are indispensable for our society. The award is not just about recognising the winners. We also want to honour all other applicants for their day-to-day implementation of innovative projects and hope that numerous clubs and individuals will continue to get involved in the future.”
BSV Roleber 1919
BSV Roleber 1919 has looked ahead to the future with its sustainability concept and its numerous associated key topics. The concept pursues an innovative approach that goes far beyond a purely social commitment. This includes switching to fair trade products within the club, replacing old refrigerators, switching to LED lighting and setting up a sustainability working group.
TuS 05 Oberpleis
TuS 05 Oberpleis submitted a very comprehensive application. The ‘Fit for you and Planet blue’ exercise programme developed in collaboration with Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences played a major role in this. The aim of the programme is to offer sustainable and, above all, free outdoor sports activities. The prize money is to be used for new project ideas.
SV 1924 Glehn
SV 1924 Glehn runs various projects to promote the village community. One of these successful projects is ‘Hanna's Hope’ in Namibia. Funds generated to date and in the future are to be donated. Glehn's application in 2022 had already been very positive and the club had already won the Volunteers Award in 2011.
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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