Star keeper Lehmann has his special goals to help youngsters

A visit to the Lehndorf Elementary School by Laureus Ambassador Jens Lehmann kicked off the national roll out of the Laureus-supported Kicking Girls project in the Braunschweig-Wolfsburg region.

The project targets girls aged between eight and 16, particularly those from ethnic minorities. Kicking Girls‘ aim is to help provide them with access into local clubs and ensure, once there, they can be successfully integrated both into the club and society as a whole.

Former German international goalkeeper and Laureus Ambassador Jens Lehman said: „As a former footballer and a Laureus Ambassador, this project is very close to my heart. Sport connects people and I am very happy to pass on my passion for the sport to the girls.

„On the pitch it doesn’t matter if a girl wears a headscarf or not, if they have different religious beliefs or come from different countries. Through sport they learn solidarity, fair play and respect.

Simone Moll, Manager of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Germany/Austria is very happy about the  launch in a new location. „We are working to roll out the Kicking Girls project throughout Germany at the moment. I am very pleased to see that Laureus now has this sports project in the Braunschweig-Wolfsburg region.“

The implemention of the project is supported by Volksbank BraWo Foundation’s donation of £100,000 to the United Kids Foundation, which combats social issues such as the fight against akinesia (lack of movement), poverty and violence. It also encourages better nutrition and social integration.

„It’s very important to us to establish such a successful project like Kicking Girls in Braunschweig –Wolfsburg area, working together with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. I am very happy that we started the collaboration today,“said Jürgen Brinkmann, Chairman of the Board at Volksbank eG Braunschweig-Wolfsburg.