For the fourth time, the Haftpflichtkasse insurance company and SV Darmstadt 98 have jointly awarded four clubs with the Volunteer Award. The award ceremony, including the presentation of the checks, took place last Sunday (May 17th) before the home game against SC Paderborn at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The Volunteer Award, established in 2023 by the Haftpflichtkasse and SV Darmstadt 98, aims to strengthen volunteer engagement and promote outstanding projects.
The award not only recognises exceptional club work and outstanding commitment, but also underscores the high value of volunteer work in Darmstadt and the surrounding region. A winner was selected in each of three different categories by a jury: Karate Dojo Dieburg e.V. won in the „Education & Knowledge Transfer“ category, TG 07 Eberstadt in the „Ecology & Sustainability“ category, and SKG Bensheim-Zell e.V. in the „Generations & Movement“ category. The „Community Cohesion & Participation“ category was decided by a public vote following a jury selection. Around 3,889 people participated in the vote, which was won by SV DJK Victoria Dieburg e.V. All the award-winning clubs will receive prize money of €3,000 each.
„A heartfelt thank you to the award-winning clubs for their important contributions! Our partnership with SV Darmstadt 98 makes such awards possible. Thank you to SV Darmstadt 98 for the excellent cooperation, as always!“ emphasized Dr. Frank Welfens, Chairman of the Board of Haftpflichtkasse VVaG.
Audience vote with 1,627 votes: SV DJK Viktoria Dieburg e.V.
SV DJK Viktoria Dieburg e.V. understands inclusion as an integral part of its club identity. The club creates opportunities and structures so that people with and without disabilities can naturally participate in sports together, experience community, and take part in club life. Inclusion is already actively practiced in table tennis. In addition, the club invests in accessible infrastructure such as a wheelchair ramp, digital assistance solutions, an automatic entrance door, and is currently converting a changing room into an accessible restroom.
Viktoria Dieburg also promotes participation beyond traditional sports, for example, through its eSports department and the „Herzkicker“ project, where children with and without disabilities play soccer together. The club deserves the award because it not only talks about inclusion but puts it into practice: through concrete construction projects, inclusive sports programs, strong volunteerism, and a safeguarding policy for children and young people. The prize money will be used for the conversion of the accessible restroom to enable everyone to enjoy an independent and dignified stay at the clubhouse.
Karate Dojo Dieburg e.V.
The Karate Dojo Dieburg e.V. combines sport, values education, and community in a long-established club concept. The volunteer-run program is aimed at children, teenagers, and adults regardless of age, background, or individual abilities, creating open, non-discriminatory access to physical activity and personal development.
Children’s and youth programs are a particular focus. Regular training sessions not only impart karate-specific skills but also instill social values such as respect, discipline, consideration, and self-confidence. The club thus offers young people guidance, a sense of belonging, and a reliable environment.
Integration and participation are actively practiced in daily training: people from diverse cultural backgrounds train together, support each other, and grow together as a community. This commitment is fostered by instructors and club members who volunteer their time to training, events, examinations, and other activities.
The prize money will be used for training materials for children’s and youth groups, subsidies for socially disadvantaged members, and additional community-building courses and events. Furthermore, the hosting of a Central German Championship in Dieburg is scheduled for 2028, which will require further investment and voluntary commitment.
TG07 Eberstadt e.V.
TG 07 Eberstadt is committed to significantly reducing its carbon footprint and becoming carbon-neutral in the long term. Following the successful digitalisation of its club administration, the club launched a comprehensive sustainability project about two and a half years ago and has since implemented numerous measures.
These include a photovoltaic system with 49 modules, a 15 kWh battery storage system, two semi-public charging stations, the conversion to LED lighting, electronic radiator valves, the purchase of an electric bus, and the planting of a maple tree. In addition, the club is also involved in social and environmental initiatives, such as regular flea markets for children’s clothing, donations to a clothing bank, and a public drinking fountain. Further measures are already planned, including replacing the gas heating system with a heat pump, expanding the photovoltaic system, drilling a well, installing automatic irrigation, charging stations for e-bikes, and a swap meet for children’s sportswear.
The club sees itself as a pioneer in sustainable club development and actively shares its knowledge with other sports clubs. The prize money will be used for a project that visualises gas, water, and electricity consumption in real time. This aims to raise awareness among members and guests about using resources more consciously; in addition, the efficiency of the photovoltaic system will be presented transparently.
Sport- und Kulturgemeinde SKG Bensheim-Zell e.V.
SKG Bensheim-Zell e.V. is a long-established sports and cultural association that strengthens village life across all generations. The association’s goal is to provide opportunities for interaction, exercise, and community for people of all ages – from baby gymnastics for toddlers to full-body workouts for seniors.
In addition to its regular sports program, SKG organises numerous cultural and social events, including children’s carnival, Halloween and St. Nicholas celebrations, an adult carnival, an intergenerational „Ludo“ tournament, the Zell village market, the Zell fair, Christmas tree sales, theater evenings, and monthly coffee gatherings for seniors. The association is also actively involved in children’s and youth programs during the summer holidays.
The association deserves this award because, through its high level of volunteer commitment, it brings together people of all ages, combats loneliness, and facilitates integration within the village. With 771 members in a town of just under 1,000 inhabitants, the SKG is deeply rooted in the community and a central driving force of social life. The prize money will be used to purchase a high-contrast screen for the clubhouse, enabling members to watch films and sporting events together. It will also support the club’s youth programs.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
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: