As part of a four-day follow-up in the coastal city of Cartagena, Bayer 04 instructor Peter Quast and Robert Urbanek of FK Austria Vienna trained 39 young football coaches. From 31 March to 4 April it was primarily about conveying training content in the area of children's football. The instructors worked in close cooperation with the Scort Foundation as well as the local partner organisation Fundación Colombianitos.
In addition to refreshing existing knowledge that participants had from previously completed Young Coaches training, the focus was on the inclusion of handicapped children. Young Coach Angie was thrilled by the content conveyed: "If, for example, a disadvantaged child is new to my school then I can now incorporate it as I know more. I've already got some ideas of how I can help out these children."
The participants also received an introduction to impact assessment to be able to better understand the influence of their football activities on the children and the community in the future.
The follow-up also covered holding two football festivals with children from the region. On the third day, handicapped children were invited first and that was followed a day later by a festival with 120 children without handicaps. The participating Young Coaches thereby have the opportunity to immediately apply all the content received over the four-day training course.
"It showed again how important a follow-up is. Over these four years things happen again and again that raise questions or where certain things don't work. We can continue to help them. A follow-up after three or four years serves to reinforce what's been learned," said Bayer 04 instructor Peter Quast on the significance of the measures taken.
The #morethanfootball Action Weeks started on Monday 21 March and run to 14 April. The aim is to highlight how football clubs can live up to their social commitment through a range of activities. The global project initiated by the European Football for Development Network offers participating clubs and organisations the opportunity through a range of theme days to inform their supporters and fans of their own activities in the area of community and social responsibility both on and off the pitch and thereby increase awareness of the role of football within society.
The Werkself took part in the campaign last year. Bayer 04 again present a range of activities on the current theme days. In addition to today’s International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, that includes the issues of accessibility, social inclusion, awareness, sustainability and climate protection, mental health and much more.
The Werkself and the Bayer 04 Women’s team have also draw attention to the Action Weeks in their recent home games. In addition, the campaign is being supported this year by the Werkself player Robert Andrich and Juliane Wirtz of the Bayer 04 Women's team in their roles as ambassadors.
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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