Visible success for ''Football fans in training''

Each Thursday from 19.45 to 21.15, the group of TSG Hoffenheim fans would get together for a weekly ''Football fans in training'' (FFIT) session. The fan group was put through their paces by Pascal Söll (TSG U13 head coach) and Paul Tolasz (TSG academy scouting coordinator). The training programme took place for the first time last year and was designed to help prevent cancer, promote a healthy lifestyle and also give fans an inside look at their favourite club. 

Each session would get underway with a theory section in which the course participants were given recommendations regarding healthy eating and physical activity. Then, things would move out to the pitch. A high point was a tournament which took place in November and which pitted the TSG fans against other FFIT course participants across Germany. At the close of the programme on 23 December, the Hoffenheim fans got together with their counterparts in Mainz for a friendly match. Afterwards, the two teams went to watch their favourite clubs go head-to-head in the Bundesliga. 

''It was a well-organised and successful event. The participants were taught various ways of eating healthily, were able to share ideas with others and motivate one another to be more active. Plus, they also got to know TSG Hoffenheim up close. We're particularly glad to see that members of the group are now taking it upon themselves to meet up regularly in order to play sports,'' said Paul Tolasz in his summary of the training programme, which always took place in an atmosphere of conviviality. 

On average, each participant lost 4 kg of weight and 2 cm of abdominal girth.