Schalke 04 reveals plans of a new project ‘Passion Beyond Boarders’

Schalke 04 reveals plans of a new project ‘Passion Beyond Boarders’

Since 2017, Schalke 04 and its foundation Schalke Hilft! offer their fans the option to participate in Walking Football sessions. The sport which is simply football without running provides men and women of the age 50+ the opportunity to play the sport at a more feasible pace thereby eliminating barriers. Now the club and its foundation revealed the information that a new Walking Football related initiative will be launched in the near future called “Walking Football League – Passion beyond Boarders”. 

The beautiful game of Walking Football is available for everyone who wishes to continue to engage in football, but who may have previously been forced to stopped due to age or injury.

Having been inspired by other European clubs who have started Walking Football programmes, Schalke 04 is now encouraging men and women around Gelsenkirchen to play the people’s game that is possible at every pace.

As an important mission, Schalke 04 and Schalke Hilft! aim at broadening the methodology to amateur clubs in the surrounding areas of Gelsenkirchen to broaden the positive impact the sport has on a wider level.

Both, the club and the foundation believe in the health and social benefits of the programme. In addition to encouraging older individuals to get back into participating in sport, the social aspects of Walking Football sessions provide opportunities to socially engage and connect with peers in the community, effectively combating social isolation and addressing mental health issues.

Due to the high popularity of the sport, the club and foundation have recently decided to form an additional team, thereby giving even more individuals being 50+ years old the opportunity to get involved.

For Schalke’s Walking Football Legends the sport is much more than achieving sportive success. It is about making friends, creating memories and having fun.

Walking Football League  – Passion Beyond Boarders

To create friendships on a European Level, Schalke 04 ‘ s team participated in September 2017 at the EFDN European Legends Walking Football Festival in Arnhem. Being inspired by the cross-boundary experience, the club and foundation started thinking about an initative which would enable them to keep connecting and enjoying the sport together.

Now, the club has revealed first photos of a project meeting called “”Walking Football League- Passion beyond Boarders” that took place at the VELTINS Arena, home of FC Schalke 04. At the meeting, representatives of VfL Wolfsburg, SV Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, NEC Nijmgen, Vitesse Arnhem, PSV Eindhoven, FC Twente and FC Schalke 04 were in attendance.

Information about the new initiative will follow as soon as further details are being communicated.