Werder Bremen starts Community Champions League
20 School representatives were guests in the press room of Werder Bremen to receive the explanation of the rules, regulations and other important information of the new Community Champions League programme. All the schools also received special CCL football jerseys for the start on Wednesday 11 September.
The “Community Champions League” (CCL) is a football league for pupils at secondary schools. The CCL is supported by EFDN, the European Union and the DFL Foundation – Werder Bremen is one of nine European clubs participating in the campaign. With the help of the league, young people not only meet new people from different neighbourhoods and backgrounds but they also exercise more and learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Points for good behaviour and social commitment
In Bremen, students from the years 2007-2009 can participate in the Community Champions League and represent their school. A total of 12 mixed teams (handicap, boys, girls) will play against each other in two groups of six. The pupils from the different areas of Bremen play in their own league throughout the school year. The games are played on the sports fields of the schools. But something very important distinguishes the CCL from conventional school football leagues: Behavioural and social points in and besides to the pitch are directly included in the game evaluation. For example, behaviour as a host, social commitment or the number of positive fans who watch the league match are included. The goal is to promote social values, life skills and peaceful coexistence.
In addition to the normal match days, four different workshops take place which deal with topics such as “upcycling”, “addiction to video games and social media” or “children’s first aid course”. The teams also can score points by attending and active participation of these workshops. In addition, older pupils are qualified and trained as team leaders for their own school teams with the help of the DFB Junior Coach.
Pan-European project in eight countries
The Community Champions League is an EFDN project in partnership with Aberdeen FC, SL Benfica, Chelsea FC, Club Brugge, Ferencvaros TC, Feyenoord Rotterdam, NAC Breda, Valerenga IF and SV Werder Bremen. With the aim of promoting social integration through sport, the Community Champions League provides the opportunity for people from different cultures to come together to build relationships and friendships while breaking down barriers through the prevention of violence, racism and intolerance in grassroots sports and their communities.
Community Champions League
