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.
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.
Lilies at the Wildpark! SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC this coming Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) for the 32nd matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. Will Darmstadt's positive record from recent encounters continue? Will Florian Kohfeldt and Isac Lidberg extend their scoring streak against KSC? And will Fabian Schleusener finally stop scoring against SV 98? We've compiled all the facts and figures for you.
SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC on Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) at the Wildpark Stadium for the 32nd matchday. To ensure you are well prepared for your trip to KSC, here is a summary of all the important information for your visit to the stadium.
To ensure a smooth and convenient journey to Karlsruhe this weekend, SV 98 is offering a special train service that will transport Lilies fans directly from Darmstadt to Karlsruhe and back. Additionally, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team will host SV Hummetroth at their home academy this Wednesday evening (April 29th). For more news and updates, check out our usual "Lilien Across the Board" – all the latest news about the club, gathered here for you.
At the end of the current season, the partnership between SV Darmstadt 98 and Software AG, which has grown over many years, will end due to a strategic realignment of the software company.
The DFB sports court has suspended Patric Pfeiffer for one match following his sending-off against SV Elversberg.
Four goals, three points, and a well-deserved victory in the Hessenliga! At home against VfB 1905 Marburg last Saturday (April 25th), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team finally celebrated a win after a long wait. Thanks to their confidence, assertiveness in one-on-one situations, and numerous scoring opportunities, the U21s convincingly beat the Marburg team 4-0.
As Florian Kohfeldt approached the team's dressing room at halftime, the Darmstadt head coach heard exactly one sentence: "It's not finished." Fraser Hornby had uttered it, setting the tone for his teammates and himself. What followed was a remarkable second half from Darmstadt 98 and a point against SV Elversberg, a point that, while likely insufficient for their promotion hopes in southern Hesse, nonetheless filled the Darmstadt fans with pride.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.