
The funds from the 15th presentation of the Bayer 04 Volunteering Award are to be used, according to need, by clubs particularly affected by the two aforementioned events. The Middle Rhine Football Association (FVM) was given €10,000 for that purpose and the Lower Rhine Football Association (FVN) €5,000.
“While professional football has taken place over recent months, amateur football has often been called off due to the pandemic. The consequences of the flood disaster have further worsened the situation for the clubs,” explained Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH and the Bayer 04 Sportförderung gGmbH. “The allocation of this year’s Volunteering Award takes account of these circumstances. We want to honour the commitment of as many volunteers as possible at the clubs in the two local football associations.”

This year’s award was presented at the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Greuther Fürth at the BayArena on Saturday, 4 December. That was part of the DFB campaign matchday ‘Danke ans Ehrenamt 2021’ (Thanks to Volunteering 2021), which Bayer 04 supported in a number of ways at the weekend.
As a result of the postponement of the 2020 awards due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the winners of the 2020 Volunteering Awards joined the two association presidents Bernd Neuendorf (FVM) and Peter Frymuth (FVN) at the event. That involved two clubs from the Middle Rhine Football Association Jugendsport Wenau 1957 and SC Sparta Bardenberg plus TuB Mussum 1955, a club from the Lower Rhine Football Association (FVN).
Bayer 04 Leverkusen Sportförderung gGmbH was founded in 2007 with the aim of promoting volunteering in football. 49 clubs from the Middle Rhine (FVM) and Lower Rhine (FVN) associations have received over €220,000 of financial support from the annual Volunteering Award to date.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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