Originally, the Sepp Herberger Foundation was established in 1976 to advance the social and socio-political role of football in Germany. Conceived as a medium to support the development and social standing of football, it has provided assistance and relief not only to players in need and their families, but also to countless others who have "fallen on hard times", as the saying goes. The Sepp Herberger Foundation continues the work of the "DFB Sozialwerk" (DFB Social Fund) that was established in 1955. Since 1978, it has received generous donations from the "Verein der Freunde der Nationalmannschaft" (Association of Friends of the National Team). In addition to the DFB Social Fund the foundation undertakes various other activities: The promotion of football in prisons is one of the foundation's best-known activities enjoying the support of such renowned representatives as Horst Eckel, one of the "Heroes of Bern", Uwe Seeler, honorary captain of the German national team, and Helmut Haller, 1966 World Cup runner-up. They regularly visit penitentiary centres, bring much-needed equipment (footballs, shirts, etc.) with them, and lend inmates a sympathetic ear. Sepp-Herberger-Days and Girls' Football Days Organised in conjunction with the DFB regional associations, the objective of these events is to encourage and improve co-operation between schools, clubs, and parents. They are designed to generally raise the profile of football, especially with younger children at primary schools. There are mini-pitch tournaments and a host of other fun activities. The promotion of sports for people with disabilities Sport for the disabled is a key area of the Sepp Herberger Foundation's activities. There are some 480,000 persons in Germany with an intellectual disability, trained in various professions, working in the private sector or in one of the many facilities for disabled people. People with disabilities love sports, working out, and having fun just as much as anybody else. Sport can work wonders, physically and psychologically speaking. And finally they, too, want to compete with others and strive for good results. Tens of thousands of mentally disabled athletes are members of the German Sports Association for People with Disabilities that offers a broad range of disciplines to choose from. [Einfügen Foto "Mannschaft liegt am Boden lacht", keine BU] Unsurprisingly, football is one of the most popular choices. Disabled footballers, male and female, play the game in more than 600 teams nation-wide. At federal state level, there are various leagues, smaller and bigger tournaments, as well as many other events. Major tournaments take place at the federal level, e.g. the "DBS-Fußball-Länderpokal" (a national competition for regional champions), the "National Cup of Workshops for Disabled People", the "Special Olympics Germany Football Tournament", and the triennial "International Integrative Football Tournament" hosted by the "Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe" (Federal Association of Life Aid for People with Intellectual Disabilities). For the 220,000 persons with disabilities working in approx. 700 workshops, football has become an integral, if not essential, part of their lives that they feel very passionately about. Football is all about fun and enjoyment; it unites people and makes social integration much easier. The chance to be part of a team and to contribute to its success, is a precious experience for anyone. The recognition that disabled people gain from their able-bodied peers gives them pride and strengthens their self-esteem. Football teaches important life skills such as team spirit, fairness and conflict management. The Sepp Herberger Foundation's commitment for sport for the disabled ranges from donations to facilities for the disabled, to promoting soccer tournaments, to giving material aid for clubs in the shape of footballs, shirts and goals. In addition, the foundation provides assistance to specific sports organisations, hospitals and clinics, sheltered homes, rehabilitation and other care centres. In co-operation with the German Sports Association for People with Disabilities, the Federal Association of Workshops for Disabled People, and Special Olympics Germany, the DFB's Sepp Herberger Foundation organises the final round of the "National Cup of Workshops for Disabled People", where the winners of the 16 federal state competitions meet every year. Almost 200 players with intellectual disabilities take part in the four-day-tournament played out on mini-pitches. Mixed teams are allowed, too. First organised in 2000, the last edition of the "National Cup of Workshops for Disabled People" hosted by the sport academy Wedau / Duisburg in 2004, marked a special anniversary - it was the fifth time in a row that teams from workshops for the disabled competed for the coveted trophy. The competition's aim is to provide fresh impetus to the inclusion of disabled people into society. Functioning as an extension to work and employment, football - the most favourite sport within the workshops - is an ideal means to promote the players' self-development and individual capabilities. Representing all people with intellectual disabilities in Germany, the teams participating in the "National Cup" are advocates for more emancipation, co-determination and public acceptance. Additional activities The Sepp Herberger Foundation also promotes football played at schools and universities, the integration of foreign players, as well as publications dealing with the development and promotion of the game. On the international level, its funds are used to pay for training courses and other instruction given by German coaches and coach instructors in developing countries. Karl Rothmund Chairman Horst R. Schmidt Vice chairman Wolfgang Watzke Managing director Dr. Theo Zwanziger (chairman) Wolfgang Niersbach (vice chairman) Goetz Eilers Karl Frewert Erwin Himmelseher Dr. Klaus Kinkel Hermann Korfmacher Rudi Krämer Dieter Kürten Dr. Georg Moldenhauer Peter Peters Monika Piel Otto Rehhagel Edgar Roth Heinrich Schmidhuber Karl Schmidt Georg Adolf Schnarr Uwe Seeler Dr. Rudolf Seiters Oliver Kahn 2002 World Cup runner-up Horst Eckel 1954 World Champion Helmut Haller 1966 World Cup runner-up Uwe Seeler 1966 World Cup runner-up DFB-Stiftung Sepp Herberger Kleingedankstraße 9 D-50677 Köln Fon +49 (0)221/94 67 66 10 Fax +49 (0)221/94 67 66 20 Mail: info@sepp-herberger.de