In late June, the time had finally come – the BVB Evonik Football Academy holiday programme could finally be resumed. With a well-developed hygiene concept and a lot of work on the part of the coaches, it was possible to set up courses with a real sense of joyful anticipation, starting with the holiday course in Wismar, via Hamburg, Gehlenbeck, Primstal, Baalberge, Ohrdruf, Balzheim, Hochdorf and even Westendorf, Öberwölz and Irschen (Austria), as well as Goczalkowice in Poland and even Liechtenstein. In Dortmund too, on the former first team training ground, there was finally some hustle and bustle again from the first to the seventh summer course.

In Dortmund too, on the former first team training ground, there was finally some hustle and bustle again from the first to the seventh summer course. The period when we couldn't take to the pitches posed some big challenges for us all. But, because we love football so much, we helped young and old footballers work up a sweat at home with our home training course videos. Be it with the support of the former BVB keeper Roman Weidenfeller, and often with our sporting mascot EMMA the bee, the home training course videos always kept the fun, passion and the black and yellow adrenaline alive in football! As a result, our own BVB Evonik Football Academy YouTube Channel has grown, and we will of course continue to fill it with exciting content for young and old.

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Right from the start in Wismar, it was immediately apparent that the code of conduct to be followed as a result of the special safety regulations would not inhibit the passion on the pitch. Despite the need to wear a face mask around the grounds, have lunch outdoors and some small changes to the course itself, this sold-out summer kick-off course was a complete success! We managed to light up Wismar in black and yellow and finally got our footballing feet back in motion. A little later came a week of passion on the pitch in Poland. With the reinforcement of the BVB Evonik Football Academy coach, Benjamin Galant, who had travelled from Dortmund with the equipment, the Panattoni Arena saw plenty of tricks and dribbles. Starting in the early morning until late afternoon, the young players were able to develop their football skills over five days. Even football legend Jörg Heinrich dropped by for the course, held a training session and answered several questions from the delighted kids.

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In Austria, too, plenty of children were able to take part in action-packed training days with their black and yellow friends. In the beautiful village of Westendorf, where so many people spend their holidays, a holiday camp was held for the ninth time with a very special sense of flair. Surrounded by mountains, trees and meadows, the ambitious young players transformed the training ground into a proper pitch as they went full-throttle. Many young players come back to Westendorf time and again, as a break, recreation, leisure and fun for the whole family are guaranteed here. Jamie, who has just turned 12, came for the fifth time this year. He was able to meet his football friends again and knew that mum and dad would be well looked after, riding an e-bike or golfing..

Warm temperatures, excellent pitches and active support from FC Ruggell's staff made this holiday course a special summer event in Liechtenstein. The team led by head coach Patrick Kulinski met with highly motivated youngsters in the vast land between the Rheinauen and striking mountains. There were exciting half-time special events and training materials alongside disinfectant and, of course, sun cream! While getting some refreshment from the water hose, the girls and boys also had plenty of fun off the pitch as they enjoyed cooling off – a welcome break in the high temperatures – so they could once again give it their all on the pitch.

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In the footballing capital of Dortmund too, the kids could barely wait and stormed the academy's pitches with 1909% footballing passion. The hygiene concept, which was also developed for Dortmund, was well observed by all the participants and the people accompanying them to guarantee that everything went smoothly.

Noah, just six years old, had missed playing so much that his mother let him attend all seven summer courses. A mature footballing performance, little Noah! All the children have shown you don't have to miss out as long as you follow certain rules. Footballing fun was at the top of the agenda during all the courses!

The academy's motto, which has become all the more important in these times in particular, was evident throughout all the courses: Together we are and always will be one team!

Right from the start in Wismar, it was immediately apparent that the code of conduct to be followed as a result of the special safety regulations would not inhibit the passion on the pitch. Despite the need to wear a face mask around the grounds, have lunch outdoors and some small changes to the course itself, this sold-out summer kick-off course was a complete success! We managed to light up Wismar in black and yellow and finally got our footballing feet back in motion. A little later came a week of passion on the pitch in Poland. With the reinforcement of the BVB Evonik Football Academy coach, Benjamin Galant, who had travelled from Dortmund with the equipment, the Panattoni Arena saw plenty of tricks and dribbles. Starting in the early morning until late afternoon, the young players were able to develop their football skills over five days. Even football legend Jörg Heinrich dropped by for the course, held a training session and answered several questions from the delighted kids.

In Austria, too, plenty of children were able to take part in action-packed training days with their