Since the start of their partnership, HBRS and SV Darmstadt 98 have been working together to better integrate people with disabilities into organised sports, particularly football. The focus is on inclusive projects and the targeted promotion of various forms of football, especially football for people with intellectual disabilities and inclusive football. These programs will be further expanded and supplemented with new joint initiatives.
A key component of the collaboration is an inclusive matchday camp: Once a season, a special training event for 25 children and young people with and without disabilities takes place during a home game of the professional team. Participants receive a „Lilies“ (SV Darmstadt 98) jersey set, experience a full day of training with meals, and then attend a home game of the professional team at the stadium.
„Extending this partnership is an important step towards establishing inclusion in sports for the long term and further advancing it,“ emphasises Michael Trippel, Sporting Director of HBRS. Markus Pfitzner, President of SV Darmstadt 98, also emphasised the importance of the collaboration, adding: “We are very much looking forward to continuing our partnership. Our goal remains to further strengthen inclusive sports in Hesse and to inspire even more people to embrace physical activity and community through sports.” Managing Director Michael Weilguny also highlighted the significant impact of the cooperation on the club and the region. Ruben Döring, Head of Recreational and Disability Sports at SV Darmstadt 98, emphasised the positive and lasting effects for the participants.
A particular highlight of the collaboration was the recent visit of the HBRS Hesse ID team to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. At the invitation of SV Darmstadt 98, the entire team watched the top second-division match against SV Elversberg, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.