For the second year in a row, the liability insurance fund and SV Darmstadt 98 have awarded four clubs with the volunteer award. The award ceremony, including the check presentation, took place before the Bundesliga game against TSG Hoffenheim in the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor. The joint volunteer award was created to strengthen and promote volunteer work.
The honour not only recognises exceptional club work and special commitment, but also underlines the high value of voluntary work in Darmstadt and the region. A winner was chosen by jury in each of three different categories: VfR Fehlheim 1929 e.V. won in the “Education & Knowledge Transfer” category, FC Ober-Abtsteinach e.V. won in the “Ecology & Sustainability” category and the referee in the “Fair Play” category. Sports Club Odenwald e. V. The “Cohesion & Participation” category was decided by an audience vote after a jury selection. Around 2,100 participants took part in the vote, in which the gymnastics and sports club Griesheim 1899 e.V. was able to prevail. All winning clubs receive prize money of 3,000 euros.
Roland Roider (Chairman of the Board, The Liability Insurance Fund VVaG): “As a mutual insurance association, we feel particularly obliged to promote voluntary commitment in our region. That’s why we launched the volunteer award together with SV Darmstadt 1898. We would like to once again express our appreciation for the voluntary work with prize money of 12,000 euros this year.”
Martin Kowalewski (Managing Director Marketing & Sales, SV 98): “It is impressive how many special projects the clubs in the region set up with voluntary work. The volunteer award, in conjunction with the liability fund, offers us an opportunity to express our appreciation for the many volunteers who do outstanding work. A big thank you goes to all the participating clubs who applied for the prize.”
Public decision with 1,020 votes: Gymnastics and Sports Club Griesheim 1899 e.V.
The gymnastics and sports club Griesheim 1899 e.V. offers the “Inclusive Swimming” project, which aims to give children with various physical and mental disabilities the joy of swimming and to improve their skills in the water. Qualified trainers adapt the swimming courses individually to the needs of the participants, promote an integrative environment and use various teaching methods. The project not only strengthens the physical abilities of the participants, but also promotes their self-confidence and sense of community. Another project is planned for late summer 2024 that will support the promotion of physical activity in preschool children through psychomotor exercises that are intended to promote the children’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. Playful activities and cooperative games also strengthen social interaction and group cohesion.
VfR Fehlheim 1929 e.V.
VfR Fehlheim has developed a holistic 360-degree support concept for young people that combines sporting excellence with academic support, career preparation and social commitment. Inspired by “Anpfiff ins Leben”, the concept aims to develop young people into self-confident and socially committed personalities. Since taking over the board two years ago, the club has experienced exceptional growth, with membership increasing by more than 300 percent in areas such as youth soccer, children’s gymnastics and children’s dance. However, high demand has led to capacity limits, with registration stops and waiting lists because the number of qualified trainers is insufficient. The VfR Fehlheim is considered a lighthouse project in the region and is aiming for an award in order to further expand the structures and enable more children to participate.
FC Ober-Abtsteinach e.V.
The „Waste Field“ project carried out an environmentally friendly, climate-neutral renovation of an artificial turf sports system, whereby 100 percent of the old material, including microplastics, was returned to the economic cycle, saving over 300 tons of CO2 equivalent and 135 tons of waste. When redesigning the FC Ober-Abtsteinach e.V. artificial turf field, bio-based materials such as rapeseed oil and ground olive kernels were used for the first time, meaning the field serves as a CO2 sink. The new system enables 100 percent recyclability after a service life of around 15 years. If applied nationwide, this innovative process could save an average of 377 tons of CO2 equivalent and around 160 tons of waste per football pitch. The project was supported by the Federal Republic of Germany and the state of Hesse in order to contribute to climate protection and waste reduction in sports facility construction.
Schiedsrichter-Sport-Verein Odenwald e. V.
The Referee-Sport-Verein Odenwald e.V., founded in 2015, focuses on recruiting and supporting young referees, and also offers support for more experienced colleagues in the face of increasing physical attacks on referees. The club is increasingly focusing on measures to promote camaraderie in order to compensate for negative experiences and maintain the joy of the activity. In addition to social events, the club places an important focus on improving its members‘ knowledge of the rules. Despite these efforts, the number of referees in the club has decreased significantly in recent years. Due to the shortage of referees, the remaining referees are often required to officiate several games per week.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
Tickets for the league match in Nürnberg (Nov. 7th) and the cup match in Elversberg (Oct. 27th) are available for purchase now.
For the upcoming home match on Saturday (October 10th, 2026, at 1pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information. Since the start of the season, we have been offering dedicated entrances for women at the west side of the stadium. Additionally, there is a "Bölle Bande" family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance. Please also take note of the information provided by HEAG regarding the autumn break.