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.
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.