#morethanfootball: Day of action on social inclusion

This years #Morethanfootball Action Weeks have been running for over a week with Bayer 04 again taking the opportunity to look at different measures taken by the club. The focus for today's action: Social inclusion. A subject of great importance at Bayer 04. Above all through the 'Einfach Fußball' programme that already has a long tradition under the Bayer Cross.

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.

Weekly training sessions

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.

supported by Young Coaches

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.

Action Weeks with theme days

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.