Werder Bremen starts new cooperation for social development

SV Werder Bremen extended its engagement for social development and launched the ‘Tenever-League’. About 90 children and young people participated in the inauguration of the football competition which is now part of the ‘SPIELRAUM’ programme of the German club.

Therefore, SV Werder Bremen collaborates with the local youth welfare service ‘St. Petri’. The partner organization initiated the project already 20 years ago. The aim of the project is the social inclusion of children and youngsters living in the city district Tenever, which is known for its huge apartment blocks and which was seen as a problem area in the past. The “Tenever-League’ brings the participants out of the district together with school teams and other teams of the ‘SPIELRAUM’ programme.

The ‘SPIELRAUM’ programme uses sport as an opportunity to find access to children and adolescents aged between 10 and 14 years, thus complementing the classic offers of youth social work in the city. The goal, together with the public authorities, institutions and other local actors in Bremen, is to transform unused or newly created places together with young people into lively places – for team sports, fun and personal development.

On the first matchday, the first steps towards a successful implementation of the project were taken. Aila Yelen, the coordinator of the project, is optimistic that the competition will have a positive impact on the life of the participating kids: “The most children, which live in Tenever are not a member of a sports club. But playing football on the street is part of their daily routine. This tournament is a felicitous change.”

Interested children and young people can participate in the ‘Tenever-League’ on May 28 and 29, June 19 and August 21. The final round will be played on the 14th of September.