Since 2010, Bayer 04, together with other network partners, have supported the 'Einfach Fußball' project initiated by Bayer AG. At twenty venues throughout Germany, people with physical and mental challenges have the opportunity to pursue their favourite hobby together and regularly. That includes in Leverkusen.
A team of coaches from Bayer 04 look after the training sessions held on Friday afternoons: Depending on the time of year and the weather they are held at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, at the BayArena or in the neighbouring Ostermann Arena. The training group currently consists of 15 to 20 keen footballers all with completely different physical and mental challenges. The youngest participant in the training group is eight years old and the oldest 33.
Having fun through sport is the focus at the training sessions. Individual training content is led by the SCORT Young Coaches. They have been participating in the 'Einfach Fußball' programme for many years as part of a continuing and additional training course.
The ‘Einfach Fußball Cup’ is held twice a year with disabled football teams from across Germany and several neighbouring countries taking part.
Further information on the project is available HERE.
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 will again present a range of activities on the forthcoming theme days. That includes today's of social inclusion with others covering the subjects of accessibility, sustainability and climate protection, mental health and much more.
The Werkself and the Bayer 04 Women’s team will also draw attention to the Action Weeks in their next home games.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 midfielder Jonah Berghoff ahead of schedule. The Germany U18 international has signed professional terms with the club to 30 June 2030.
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Two months of preparation, five friendlies and the return of a familiar training camp location: After finishing fifth in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga last season, the Werkself will return to training on Tuesday, 23 June. Bayer04.de outlines the key dates in the 2026 summer timetable.
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With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
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