Hertha BSC Blind Football and Polytan officially open new training field‍

On March 21, 2023, Hertha BSC and Polytan, together with the blind football team, officially inaugurated the new training pitch at Nordufer. Polytan installed the sand-filled LigaGrass Synergy artificial turf, with the turf specialist supporting the construction not only with its expertise but also financially. "What used to be a neglected tennis court," explained Jan Lauterbach of Polytan, "has now been transformed into a state-of-the-art training facility. We are thrilled to have developed and implemented this project as a team."

The initiative stems from a cooperation between Polytan and the blind football division of the Bundesliga club, established in 2022 for a duration of four years. The sports flooring manufacturer from Burgheim supports Hertha BSC's blind football team with an annual total of €75,000 over the cooperation period. Thorben Jeß, Vice President Team Hertha BSC SPORTFIVE, stated, "We are very pleased to have found a long-term partner in Polytan for this project and thank them for their tremendous support in building the training field." Fabian Drescher, Vice President of Hertha BSC, expressed during the inauguration of the field, "A heartfelt thank you to Polytan for their support and collaboration on this project, as well as to 'Aktion Mensch,' whose contributions have played a significant role in making this field a reality." Blind football guide Fikret Can highlighted, "This field is extremely important for training because it eliminates the need for constant setup and takedown. Additionally, it is a great sign of appreciation for our players."

Moreover, the training field provides crucial support for the preparation of the new season: On April 15, Hertha will face their first opponents in the Blind Football Bundesliga. While the game itself resembles regular football, it is distinctly different: In blind football, the only people who can see are the two goalkeepers and the guides who direct their teams. Constant communication among team members is crucial for success. Proper tactics also play a key role: Plays are planned in advance and executed during the match through specific codewords, making blind football dynamic and exciting. Particularly impressive are the players' outstanding ball skills and sense of orientation. To ensure fairness, all outfield players wear blindfolds, as the teams include a mix of blind, visually impaired, or partially sighted individuals.

Playing on artificial turf has proven advantageous for the players, as the acoustics make it significantly easier to locate the ball compared to natural grass. This is why Polytan installed the sand-filled LigaGrass Synergy turf in Berlin—a reliable all-rounder for naturally sustainable amateur sports. The surface stands out with excellent player protection, outstanding skin compatibility, and minimal maintenance requirements. Besides their participation in the Bundesliga, Berlin's blind football team aims to focus on youth development. The goal is to introduce as many footballers of all age groups as possible to the sport, offering them the opportunity to play football despite blindness or visual impairments.