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.
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
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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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You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
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Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.
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