Proceeds from the international benefit matches hosted by the Deutsche Fußball-Bund (DFB) surpassed the 30-million-euro mark on Friday. The World Cup warm-up match against Armenia in Mainz (live on ZDF from 20:45 CET), Die Mannschaft’s eleventh benefit game, will swell the coffers of the DFB’s three foundations (the Sepp Herberger Foundation, Egidius Braun Foundation and DFB Cultural Foundation) and the Bundesliga Foundation by another 4.5 million euros.
This latest success means 32 million euros have now been raised for worthy causes. According to DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach, the money can also be used to “focus” on social causes during the World Cup finals in Brazil from 12 June until 13 July.
DFB PRESIDENT WOLFGANG NIERSBACH ON...
…the benefit match: The trigger for these matches was a series of terrible xenophobic events that took place. There were riots in Hoyerswerda and Solingen, and this prompted the DFB to create the “Foreigners are my friends” motto. The tradition of benefit matches began with a game in Augsburg, and Friday’s match in Mainz will be the eleventh fixture to be played in support of the foundations. 4.5 million euros will be raised, bringing the total amount donated to the DFB and DFL (Deutsche Fußball-Liga – German League Association) foundations to 32 million euros.
... the DFB’s social efforts in Brazil: Of course, our work extends beyond the team’s activities. The Chancellor is attending Germany’s first game, while Minister of the Interior Thomas de Mazière will be present for the Round of 16. Apart from having representatives at games, we also want to shine a spotlight on Brazil, as we did with Mexikohilfe (Mexico Aid), an initiative that continues to this day. Our schedule of activities will be published to demonstrate exactly what we’re doing. It’s important that the foundations aren’t in competition with one another; each foundation has its own area of focus. That way, they shouldn’t need to compete to earn important recognition.
LEAGUE PRESIDENT DR REINHARD RAUBALL ON...
... sustainability: What Wolfgang Niersbach has just said is particularly important. We don’t want to create competition. We’ve been extremely successful at ensure all the foundations work together. That way, everything is under one roof, and that’s a good thing. Sustainability is particularly significant to us. The DFB has seven million members and apart from the sport itself, the other most important aspect of our organisation is fostering a culture of fair play and tolerance. We want to continue those efforts in a sustainable way. Society only functions thanks to the efforts of volunteers, and I think sport owes something to society in this regard.
... social commitment: That’s extremely important. We all know that the Bundesliga has a unique mass appeal that extends beyond the 90 minutes of a typical match. We make the most of this appeal by using the Bundesliga Foundation to influence society, and we’ve raised 20 million euros as a consequence of these efforts.
TERESA ENKE ON...
...her work with the Robert Enke Foundation: My experiences have been extremely positive. At the start, we were overwhelmed, but now we have established a large network that enables us to help people. We now have telephone support hotlines staffed by psychologists and counsellors.
...the "Kein Stress mit dem Stress" (“No stress with stress”) handbook: This handbook came about after a meeting with Minister Ursula von der Leyen. We considered the preventative action that could be taken. The brochure that resulted is for coaches, sports teachers and officials, and it explains how athletes think in these situations and what can be done. The handbook contains practical guidelines and is a very helpful tool.
NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER OLIVER BIERHOFF ON...
... social engagement by footballers: It’s vital that every footballer gives something back. That’s changed over the years. When I was a player, I didn’t see where my money went or how it helped people. Today, every player gets fully involved with their charitable activities. There’s a great desire among players to help out personally. When we’re in Brazil, we are ambassadors for German football, so we’ve got to act responsibly.
... Santo André and support for the local neighbourhood: Santo André is directly next to our team base at Campo Bahia. We’re renovating a football pitch there. I went to see it for myself: the training needs are being met, now it’s just a question of creating opportunities. It’s important that we don’t just visit once, build a football pitch and go home again. Instead, we’re committing to the area for four years, and then we’ll revisit the site regularly.
GOTTHARD KLEINE from the “STERNSINGER” CHILDREN’S MISSION AGENCY ON...
... selecting aid projects: The criteria for these projects are the problems children face, so they primarily involve safeguarding against abuse, health and education. Education is the most important of these focus areas. We then select projects that are sustainable and of a high quality. One example is a project in Recife, where there are 60 favelas. We’re trying to reach out to young people there and educate them in their language about preventing abuse and maintaining good health.
... ensuring the projects benefit from our efforts: We have colleagues who regularly visit the projects and oversee them. Our main questions are always “How can we improve and what else can we do?”
created by dfb
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Proceeds from the international benefit matches hosted by the Deutsche Fußball-Bund (DFB) surpassed the 30-million-euro mark on Friday. The World Cup warm-up match against Armenia in Mainz (live on ZDF from 20:45 CET), Die Mannschaft’s eleventh benefit game, will swell the coffers of the DFB’s three foundations (the Sepp Herberger Foundation, Egidius Braun Foundation and DFB Cultural Foundation) and the Bundesliga Foundation by another 4.5 million euros.
This latest success means 32 million euros have now been raised for worthy causes. According to DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach, the money can also be used to “focus” on social causes during the World Cup finals in Brazil from 12 June until 13 July.
DFB PRESIDENT WOLFGANG NIERSBACH ON...
…the benefit match: The trigger for these matches was a series of terrible xenophobic events that took place. There were riots in Hoyerswerda and Solingen, and this prompted the DFB to create the “Foreigners are my friends” motto. The tradition of benefit matches began with a game in Augsburg, and Friday’s match in Mainz will be the eleventh fixture to be played in support of the foundations. 4.5 million euros will be raised, bringing the total amount donated to the DFB and DFL (Deutsche Fußball-Liga – German League Association) foundations to 32 million euros.
... the DFB’s social efforts in Brazil: Of course, our work extends beyond the team’s activities. The Chancellor is attending Germany’s first game, while Minister of the Interior Thomas de Mazière will be present for the Round of 16. Apart from having representatives at games, we also want to shine a spotlight on Brazil, as we did with Mexikohilfe (Mexico Aid), an initiative that continues to this day. Our schedule of activities will be published to demonstrate exactly what we’re doing. It’s important that the foundations aren’t in competition with one another; each foundation has its own area of focus. That way, they shouldn’t need to compete to earn important recognition.
LEAGUE PRESIDENT DR REINHARD RAUBALL ON...
... sustainability: What Wolfgang Niersbach has just said is particularly important. We don’t want to create competition. We’ve been extremely successful at ensure all the foundations work together. That way, everything is under one roof, and that’s a good thing. Sustainability is particularly significant to us. The DFB has seven million members and apart from the sport itself, the other most important aspect of our organisation is fostering a culture of fair play and tolerance. We want to continue those efforts in a sustainable way. Society only functions thanks to the efforts of volunteers, and I think sport owes something to society in this regard.
... social commitment: That’s extremely important. We all know that the Bundesliga has a unique mass appeal that extends beyond the 90 minutes of a typical match. We make the most of this appeal by using the Bundesliga Foundation to influence society, and we’ve raised 20 million euros as a consequence of these efforts.
TERESA ENKE ON...
[bild2]
...her work with the Robert Enke Foundation: My experiences have been extremely positive. At the start, we were overwhelmed, but now we have established a large network that enables us to help people. We now have telephone support hotlines staffed by psychologists and counsellors.
...the "Kein Stress mit dem Stress" (“No stress with stress”) handbook: This handbook came about after a meeting with Minister Ursula von der Leyen. We considered the preventative action that could be taken. The brochure that resulted is for coaches, sports teachers and officials, and it explains how athletes think in these situations and what can be done. The handbook contains practical guidelines and is a very helpful tool.
NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER OLIVER BIERHOFF ON...
... social engagement by footballers: It’s vital that every footballer gives something back. That’s changed over the years. When I was a player, I didn’t see where my money went or how it helped people. Today, every player gets fully involved with their charitable activities. There’s a great desire among players to help out personally. When we’re in Brazil, we are ambassadors for German football, so we’ve got to act responsibly.
... Santo André and support for the local neighbourhood: Santo André is directly next to our team base at Campo Bahia. We’re renovating a football pitch there. I went to see it for myself: the training needs are being met, now it’s just a question of creating opportunities. It’s important that we don’t just visit once, build a football pitch and go home again. Instead, we’re committing to the area for four years, and then we’ll revisit the site regularly.
GOTTHARD KLEINE from the “STERNSINGER” CHILDREN’S MISSION AGENCY ON...
... selecting aid projects: The criteria for these projects are the problems children face, so they primarily involve safeguarding against abuse, health and education. Education is the most important of these focus areas. We then select projects that are sustainable and of a high quality. One example is a project in Recife, where there are 60 favelas. We’re trying to reach out to young people there and educate them in their language about preventing abuse and maintaining good health.
... ensuring the projects benefit from our efforts: We have colleagues who regularly visit the projects and oversee them. Our main questions are always “How can we improve and what else can we do?”
