For the third consecutive year, Haftpflichtkasse and SV Darmstadt 98 have honored four clubs with the Volunteering Award. The ceremony, including the presentation of the check, took place last Sunday (May 18) before the home game against SSV Jahn Regensburg at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The joint Volunteering Award was launched in 2023 by Haftpflichtkasse and the Lilies to strengthen and promote volunteer work.
The award not only recognises exceptional club work and special commitment, but also underscores the high value placed on volunteer work in Darmstadt and the region. A jury selected a winner in each of three different categories: KSC Bensheim e.V. won in the „Education & Knowledge Transfer“ category, SV 1910 Weiterstadt e.V. won in the „Ecology & Sustainability“ category, and Tennisclub Blau-Weiß Heppenheim e.V. won in the „Fair Play“ category. The „Solidarity & Participation“ category was decided by a public vote following a jury selection. Around 4,800 participants took part in the vote, with SC OPEL 06 Rüsselsheim emerging victorious. All award-winning clubs will receive prize money of €3,000 each.
Audience decision with 3,081 votes: SC OPEL 06 Rüsselsheim
With SCO BEWEGT, SC Opel 06 Rüsselsheim is complementing its traditional youth football program with inclusive and intercultural offerings. The focus is on children and young people with disabilities and/or a migration background. Through inclusive sports days, street football events, and cultural festivals, the club promotes participation, encounters, and diversity – together with a strong network in the city.
Three former youth players initiated the project to breathe new life into the youth work of the traditional club. With a young, diverse team, the club’s structure is being deliberately broken up and modernised. The club is creating new approaches to sports, focusing on social integration, and inspiring increasingly committed young adults to support children and young people.
KSC Bensheim e.V.
The „KODUS – Competence through Sport“ project promotes the motor, social, and mental development of children aged 4 to 6 through daily exercise sessions led by a sports educator. It is based on the scientifically sound KIMO test, a motor skills screening program developed by the German Sport University Cologne that identifies potential developmental deficits early on. Through play, the program not only fosters a sense of joy in movement, but also strengthens self-confidence, self-efficacy, teamwork, and social skills. The project has great potential for replication; it is currently being successfully implemented in a kindergarten and is intended to be expanded to other facilities in the long term. With 25 years of experience in holistic youth work, the organisation demonstrates a deep commitment to the healthy, self-confident, and socially integrated development of children.
SV 1910 Weiterstadt e.V.
SV Weiterstadt has installed a permanently installed water dispenser with three types of water at the main building of the sports facility to make the supply to players more sustainable and efficient. Previously, the use of plastic bottles resulted in high annual costs, logistical effort, and a lot of volunteer work for purchasing, transporting, returning empty bottles, and billing. Through structural measures including an access hatch, water supply, power supply, and ventilation, the dispenser was installed in a way that makes it accessible to all athletes and guests. The project reduces plastic waste, saves club funds, and frees up volunteers, allowing them to focus more on children and youth work. The successful implementation was only possible thanks to the commitment of volunteers who took on the planning, construction, and communication with the city.
Tennisclub Blau-Weiß Heppenheim e. V.
The Heppenheim Elementary School Cup is a sports project for children in grades 1 to 3 that promotes a love of exercise and tennis. Students complete various stations and games together as a class, strengthening team spirit, fairness, and solidarity. Around 300 children from 15 grades participate and are accompanied by ten dedicated volunteers. The competition creates a positive atmosphere focused on athletic performance, respectful interaction, and shared experiences. The initiative demonstrates how sports can teach values such as fairness and community even at primary school age.
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:
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.