Starting at nine o'clock, it was time for the 120 participants to get shovelling, painting and sowing. Kicking off with the repair of a theatre in the green, the replanting of a flower meadow, the construction of a bee clock, the partial reconstruction of a pergola, the renewal of benches, the cleaning of a glass house roof and the Wiembach river, and ending with various painting jobs, a full programme was on the agenda.
In the afternoon, the Bayer 04 men and women’s teams joined them after their training sessions. The Werkself were represented by head coach Alonso and his coaching and backroom staff, plus players Robert Andrich, Niklas Lomb, Nathan Tella, Gustavo Puerta, Alejandro Grimaldo, Matej Kovar, Piero Hincapie, Patrik Schick, Nadiem Amiri, Jeremie Frimpong and Timothy Fosu-Mensah. From the women, captain Elisa Senß, Kristin Kögel, Friederike Repohl, Melissa Friedrich, Selina Ostermeier, Eva van Deursen, head coach Robert de Pauw and his staff were in action.
Thomas Eichin, director of professional teams, emphasised: "The day has become a living tradition, where the senior teams also want to be part of it and are of course present. We’re pleased that we were able to lend a hand again this time." And that was not just a figure of speech, because the players really worked up a sweat and by no means spared themselves. For example, Grimaldo felt responsible for the leaves and sat behind the wheel as he had already done at the go-kart track during the training camp - only this time in the utility vehicle. Meanwhile, the rest of the team did some gardening and conscientiously trimmed the hedges.
Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community, proudly summed up afterwards: "Leverkusen is the home of Bayer 04. We are part of the city's society and always want to play a part in shaping it ourselves. That's why our commitment to NaturGut Ophoven - especially after the serious devastation caused by the floods in 2021 - is a matter of course. It was wonderful to see how everyone involved complemented each other - 120 times great commitment. A great day!"
As in the previous year, Bayer 04's long-standing partner Coca-Cola not only provided funds for the campaign but also released 10 dedicated employees for the work. In addition, numerous representatives of Lebenshilfe e.V. and Barmenia employees helped out again this year. The NaturGut itself and the catering service Müller provided refreshments throughout the day. Bayer 04 would like to thank all those involved and is already looking forward to the next edition next year!
In 2015, the founding year of the campaign, and again in 2016, the BAYER 04 HILFT Day was held at a Leverkusen daycare centre. In the summer of 2017, the Opladen driving school grounds were spruced up, and in 2018, the players and staff took on the Wildpark Reuschenberg. In 2019, the Neuland Park was on the agenda. After a two-year break due to the pandemic, a completely new fitness course was built at the Burgloch allotment club.
A training course for external coaches covering age groups U8 to U13 on 'Effective coaching in junior football' was held at the BayArena this week. The course, with this initial event ahead of a series of training units, was aimed at coaches and sporting management of clubs in the area of Leverkusen. It was very well received.
Show moreTo gain access to the stadium as a member of the media on Werkself home matchdays you need accreditation from Bayer 04. From now, you can submit the application for accreditation exclusively via our online registration form at bayer04.de.
Show moreIn keeping with the Trophy Tour in Brazil starting today, Bayer04.de looks back at the long-standing link between the Werkself and Brazilian players. The list is long as well as impressive. 24 Brazilian players have worn the Bayer 04 Leverkusen jersey from 1987 to the present day. Tita was the first under the Bayer Cross having come to Germany after ten years at top Brazilian clubs Vasco da Gama, Flamengo Rio de Janeiro and Gremio Porto Alegre. He played a crucial part in the Werkself winning their first major trophy in that season: the UEFA Cup in 1988.
Show moreIn the third home fixture in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign, the Werkself entertain the Italian champions Inter Milan at the BayArena. The game on Matchday 6 is on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21.00 CET). Read on for the information on ticket sales for this game.
Show moreTrophies on Tour: The Bayer 04 delegation led by sporting managing director Simon Rolfes is set to take the Trophy Tour to Brazil. Ahead of the first events tomorrow, 12 November, Bayer04.de spoke to Simon Rolfes prior to the flight to São Paulo about the motivation for the tour, the planned events and the long-standing connection between Bayer 04 and Brazil.
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