In bright sunshine and ideal pitch conditions, children and young people from Portugal completed a training course at the BVB Evonik Football Academy in the first week of July. The accompanied visit took place as part of a cooperation partnership between the Förderverein Dortmund-Marten & Germania e.V., SV Arminia Marten 08 e.V. and the Portuguese football club CDR Penelense. The visitors Black & Yellow itinerary was rounded off with a tour of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, among other things.

For the second time, the Förderverein Dortmund-Marten & Germania organised a football camp for girls and boys aged five to 14 with the help of the Marten Forum. Last summer, the camp was organised for 50 children and young people, and the second part was completed in autumn 2021 with a visit to the partner club in Penela, Portugal. Among the 56 participants this year were 16 children and young people from the football club Penelense from Portugal. During the current visit, the Portuguese travel group consisted of 32 people - including children, coaches and support staff. Thanks to the financial donation of 5,000 euros from the BVB foundation "leuchte auf", a large bulk of the costs incurred for the programme, including catering and accommodation, could be covered.

This project aims not just to spread the magic of Brazilian football, but also to connect people from different countries. Links with the partner club in Portugal should be strengthened. All the children who take part in the exchange should have an enriching experience both when travelling abroad and receiving guests at home and friendships will be formed which connect young people of the same age in both Dortmund and Portugal.