Some time ago, Borussia Dortmund launched the "BVB For Amateurs" initiative. Originally, EUR 200,000 was allotted for this initiative, with the money to be distributed to the individual infrastructure projects of Westphalian amateur clubs. In an attempt to help even more clubs, this figure has now been increased to EUR 215,000.

"We feel a real commitment towards the amateur clubs. As the role model for football in Westphalia, we believe we have an obligation and a duty to give something back to grassroots football, from which we ourselves benefit not inconsiderably when it comes to youth development," said Hans-Joachim Watzke, who is hoping the initiative will serve as "a catalyst for other Bundesliga clubs".

Over 160 clubs have applied – with a total volume of more than EUR 5 million. All of these outstanding and important projects have their merit, deserve support and show what wonderful and mostly voluntary work is done by amateur clubs for the benefit of society.

The board of directors decided to raise the figure to slightly over EUR 215,000 in the hope they can offer support to more clubs. Additionally, it sends its thanks for the trust it has been shown and hopes that amateur football will raise greater public awareness as a result of the initiative.

The jury – consisting of BVB icon Wolfgang Paul, lawyer Dr. Robin Steden, co-coach Jörg Heinrich and the regional chairman of the Westphalian Football and Athletics Association Jürgen Grondziewski – faced the difficult task of going through the many requests and choosing the projects that would ultimately receive support. They opted for 11 different projects, ranging from the renovation of an old clubhouse to assistance with the construction of a training pitch. Clubs from Sauerland, East Westphalia, the Ruhr and Dortmund itself will now receive money that will allow them to carry out urgently required reconstructions and repairs or to follow through with ideas that had previously faltered due to a lack of financial support.

EUR 215,000 for 11 different projects

The clubs selected include SV Hüsten 09 from Arnsberg, TuS Eiche Anröchte, Delbrücker SC from East Westphalia, Kiersper SC from Sauerland, TSG Herdecke and SV Preußen Lünen from the area directly surrounding Dortmund, DJK Falkenhorst Herne, FSV Witten and Dortmund-based clubs VfR Sölde, TuRa Asseln and Mengede 08/20.

In Mengede, the managing director Josef Toth, who has been in the role since the merger in 2001, was delighted about the initiative: "We think it's important and really great that BVB is taking such good care of amateur clubs. This support is really wonderful." Mengede were adversely affected by a 2015 storm in which its old wooden stand was destroyed by a fallen tree. Since then, the club has been trying to reconstruct the stand but its search for sponsors had been to no avail. Almost EUR 10,000 will be put towards this reconstruction work.

The delight is similarly great at DJK Falkenhorst in Herne. Managing director Rainer Burg and chairman Klaus Mahne recently escorted a BVB delegation across the training ground, which has consistently been renovated in recent years. But while the regional club has achieved a great deal by itself, it still faced the task of renovating the clubhouse, which can now be completed promptly thanks to the aid from Dortmund. "We put together a very detailed application and were hoping to be taken into consideration. It was a very big surprise for us that Borussia Dortmund has allocated us this amount. We think it's great! Football lives off amateur sport and so that's why it's nice that BVB is making an effort for us and is showing goodwill towards the amateur clubs."
Jens Volke