Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes a stand for 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: Social inclusion. A subject of great importance at Bayer 04. Above all through the ‘Einfach Fußball’ programme that already has a long tradition at the club.

Einfach Fußball

Since 2010, Bayer 04, together with other network partners, has 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 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.

Match Day against Hertha BSC

The match against the club from the capital, Hertha BSC, on Bundesliga matchday 28 was staged under the motto #Morethanfootball: The Action Weeks for social responsibility at Bayer 04 have been running for several days highlighting the numerous community projects of the club away from the pitch. Different events related to #Morethanfootball were held at the BayArena today, Saturday 2 April. Also in the news in brief ahead of #B04BSC: important travel information.

The #Morethanfootball banner was seen when the teams came on and the LED displays around the pitch will draw attention to the Action Weeks. This year, Werkself player Robert Andrich together with Juliane Wirtz of the Bayer 04 Women’s team are official ambassadors for the campaign:

Football is more than just 90 minutes. I’ve been impressed by the many projects already running here at Bayer 04 on a wide range of themes – whether that’s diversity, sustainability or inclusion. For me that’s an essential element these days. As a football club, you have the chance to use your charisma for important community and social issues. It’s about responsibility and active tolerance – on and off the pitch. That’s what we stand for.
Robert Andrich

The #Morethanfootball Action Weeks run to 14 April. The Werkself introduced projects on the subjects of social inclusion and awareness a few days ago. In the coming weeks, other areas will be covered including accessibility, sustainability and climate protection plus mental health.