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Including tandem training: via "double pass" to become a DFB basic coach

Sunday afternoon on the grounds of the Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Sports Park. The sun is beating down relentlessly on the grounds in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg on June 22, 2025, as if to prove that yesterday's calendar date for the beginning of summer was not just the symbolic start of the hot season. The publicly accessible sports areas, which are usually more than well frequented on weekend days, are rather sparsely filled today - quite unlike the outdoor pools and bathing lakes in the city and the surrounding area.

These are perhaps not exactly the weather conditions you would wish for on the final day of a coaching course. The participants of the DFB basic coaching course "Doppelpass" have already completed almost seven hours of theory blocks and crisp practical sessions on the pitch of the small stadium this Sunday. When you look at the 21 faces that are about to successfully complete the inclusive training format by receiving their certificates, you see less exhaustion and more pride, gratitude and joy.

Several people in sportswear are active on a sports field. In the foreground is a person with long hair, a black T-shirt and a cap, who is watching the action with his hands on his hips. Other participants and a red building can be seen in the background. Photo: BFV
Project patron and former professional footballer Kathrin Lehmann attended a training day and actively participated in the exercises. Photo: BFV

"An important step for inclusion in soccer"

The inclusive tandem training "Doppelpass" is a pilot project launched by the Brandenburg Football Association (FLB) and the Berlin Football Association (BFV), supported by the Brandenburg and Berlin Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Associations (BSB) and the AOK Nordost, at the beginning of 2025 (Article on the project presentation). The format enables people with intellectual disabilities, together with tandem partners without disabilities, to complete the first step of the official coach training in German soccer, the DFB Basic Coach. The course, which is unique in Germany, took place for the first time in Cottbus in March 2025, followed by the premiere in Berlin in June.

After a total of six in-person training days and 40 completed learning units (LE), all 21 participants of the first Berlin "double pass" course have made it: at the Competence Center for Inclusive Sport (KIsS), they receive the certificates that certify their basic qualification as coaches. At the final handover, the two instructors Marcus Hildebrandt and Paul Voß, who had already led the Cottbus course, addressed each individual participant with personal words. The constructive and very appreciative feedback was well received and left an impression, and not just on the graduates. "I have goosebumps," reports Malte Schruth, BFV Presidential Member for Innovation, Club and Association Development and Qualification, who attends the last day of the course at Jahn-Sportpark. "The enthusiasm and commitment shown by everyone here shows that we have taken the right and important step towards inclusion in soccer with this pilot project. We will take the experiences from the first training course in Berlin with us and are encouraged to continue the 'Doppelpass format' in the future."

"Football doesn't ask who you are"

Benni and Hanni are among the 21 newly qualified grassroots coaches. Benni has been an active player in the Berlin ID League, an inclusive soccer league for people with intellectual disabilities, for several years. He initially played for SC Lebenshilfe (SCL) for several years, but has now switched to Vereinigung für Jugendhilfe (VfJ). He has already successfully completed the sports assistant training course for inclusion soccer and when he heard about the new DFB basic coaching course "Doppelpass", he was immediately hooked. "It was a lot of fun and I want to continue with my coaching education. Unfortunately, disabled sport is still not supported enough, so it was all the more important to set an example with this course and show that we are here and want to learn."

Benni's tandem partner Hanni became aware of the "double pass course" through her godfather Lars Mrosko, initiator of the project and inclusion officer of the Brandenburg State Football Association. She plays for Hertha BSC's junior team and wants to focus on her active career for the time being. However, taking part in the inclusive DFB basic coaching course was also a valuable experience for Hanni: "You learn a lot here and not only grow professionally, but also as a person. As a tandem, we wanted to set an example that diversity is not an obstacle, but rather a strength. Soccer doesn't ask who you are, but how you play or coach. The course conveys these values, which is why it was a formative experience for all of us."

The picture shows four people sitting on a wooden staircase outside. They are wearing black sportswear with white stripes and a logo on the chest. Two people in the middle are writing in notepads. The scene takes place in daylight, presumably as part of a sports education course.
Benni and Hanni, participants of the inclusive DFB basic coach course "Doppelpass", work out a form of exercise. Photo: BFV

For the 21 new grassroots coaches, it is now a matter of putting what they have learned into practice. Four of the graduates of the pilot course in Brandenburg already have a permanent coaching position - an important step towards more inclusion in soccer, which will be consolidated through further "double pass courses" in the future.

Kategorien: Qualification

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