Hennef Sports School – where sports history was and is written
Since its opening in 1950, the Hennef Sports School has been a central location for German and international sport – a place of encounter, movement and development. Whether soccer, martial arts, athletics or conferences – countless personalities and teams have left their mark on the extensive grounds in Dürresbachtal.
From Sepp Herberger and Berti Vogts to the Argentinian national team – the list of prominent guests is long. But it’s not just top-class sport that has made Hennef a lively place to learn, train and come together over the decades, but also popular sport, coach training, numerous associations, conference guests and junior teams.
In our timeline, we look back at the most important milestones, structural developments and moments in the history of sport that have shaped Hennef Sports School.
Immerse yourself in over 75 years of sports history – right on the outskirts of Cologne.
The official mascot, raccoon "Henni Sieger", was unveiled at the open day. The new animal signing takes on the role of brand ambassador for the Hennef Sports School.
The extension to the shower and changing room building was put into operation in mid-November. The construction work began in August 2023 and will provide athletes with six additional changing rooms with separate sanitary facilities. There is also a room for physiotherapy, a first aid room, a food and drinks counter, additional sanitary facilities and associated technical, storage and ancillary rooms.
The German men’s national handball team is preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris with a training camp at the Hennef Sports School. The preparation pays off: After a thrilling quarter-final, Germany beat the hosts to win silver.
The long-planned refurbishment of the sports school’s kitchen will begin in mid-December 2023. Kitchen appliances, lighting, ventilation and windows will be replaced and brought up to date during an eight-week closure.
On the evening of June 4, 2021, Hennef is hit by a storm. The recently renovated Platz 1 and the outdoor pool are affected and cannot be used for around 12 months as a result of the damage.
Once the parking garage is operational, the interim parking lot (pitch 1) will be dismantled and the existing sports pitch will undergo a general renovation. In addition, the previous cinder track will be replaced by a modern tartan track.
New construction and opening of the parking garage with 344 covered parking spaces and twelve e-charging points. The ventilation and lighting systems in the sports school’s indoor pool were extensively renovated to improve energy efficiency.
Opening up and renaturation of the Wolfsbach stream, which runs underground.
Modernization of the main building (including roof and window renewal). There will be 37 new rooms, all of which will be furnished in accordance with modern hotel standards.
The ward block is renovated. There will be 12 single and 32 double rooms. All rooms are equipped with a bathroom, WLAN and a flat-screen TV.
The staff house (home of former head chef Hansi Weckauf) is completely renovated. The Egidius Braun Foundation and the Sepp Herberger Foundation move in. At Egidius Braun’s special request, the foundation is relocated to Hennef.
The office of the Fußball-Verband Mittelrhein e.V. moves from Cologne to the sports school in Hennef in January.
Relocation of the Hennes-Weisweiler-Academy (DFB soccer instructor training) from the Cologne Sports University to the Hennef Sports School.
Completion of the modernization measures (reception building, extension and modernization of the dining rooms and basement; cost volume: EUR 6.8 million) and the inauguration of the new "Haus Schleiden" building.
Construction of an artificial turf pitch.
The Argentinian national team led by Juan Román Riquelme is a guest at the FVM Sports School for a week during the Confederation Cup.
Comprehensive modernization of the indoor pool.
Inauguration of the hall complex (multi-purpose halls, sport-specific halls for boxing, wrestling and judo, wellness area, seminar rooms).
Berti Vogts prepares the national team in Hennef for the European Championship qualifier against Moldova – Germany wins 6:1.
Laying of the foundation stone for the new hall complex.
Extension of the adjoining building with the "Comfort" category rooms.
Franz Beckenbauer prepares his team for the decisive World Cup qualifier. The team led by captain Lothar Matthäus watches the fall of the Berlin Wall on the screens of the sports school and beats Wales 2:1 a few days later in the Müngersdorf stadium, paving the way to a third World Cup title.
Modernization of the accommodation in the main building.
Construction of the ward block with today’s "Classic" category rooms.
Extension (offices, seminar rooms, bowling alley, etc.).
Start of construction of the indoor swimming pool (opening: 1968).
UEFA meeting with Sepp Herberger, Helmut Schön, Dettmar Cramer and FIFA President Sir Stanley Rous.
Start of construction of the sports hall with artificial turf in 1965.
Sepp Herberger and his world champions prepare for their first international match after their World Cup success in Bern – and lose 2-0 to Belgium.
DFB-Bundestag takes place at the Hennef Sports School.
Construction of the Hennef Sports School begins in 1947. The foundation stone is laid on October 1, 1949 and after almost two years of work, the Hennef Sports School is ready for occupancy in the summer of 1950.