Could you tell afterwards which sections of the barrier you had painted?
Hecking: Yes, they were particularly good. (laughs) No, seriously: I think everyone was very pleased in the end with what we had achieved that day. Even back then, we said we should do something like it again. I think it’s wonderful that the “Wir für euch” day is still going today – for us, but of course above all for the people and organisations we support.
We also found a photo in the archives of Luiz Gustavo in a digger. What memories does that bring back?
Hecking: (laughs) We got Luiz interested in the digger straight away back then. He really came into his own in that role. We all had a lot of fun. And that’s part of what it’s about: the lads and girls should see that there are other things in life besides football. We saw that recently at the academy’s “Wir für uns” day, when they did things like pulling weeds and carrying out smaller jobs around the grounds. It was a great idea from the staff. The lads threw themselves into it and realised just how much you can achieve and make happen when you work together.
How important is it to get outside the football bubble from time to time through initiatives like these?
Hecking: I think it’s a day that keeps us grounded and does us all good. You quickly realise that we really are very fortunate in life. Of course, you can’t change the world in a single day. But it’s a good start.
There was a record number of applications this year. How difficult was it to choose the 13 projects for the “Wir für euch” day?
Hecking: When we held the first one, I never imagined the day would grow to this scale. I was part of the selection process this time, and there were so many wonderful stories among the applications. We were sitting there asking ourselves: What do we do now? You really wanted to support every project. But of course we simply don’t have the capacity for that. I think the projects we’ve selected will allow us to make a genuinely positive and visible difference in the region. At the same time, we get to engage with people, and they get to experience the players not just on television or in the newspaper, but right there in person. That’s another thing that makes this day special.
Do you already know which project you’ll be working on this year?
Hecking: I’ll be at “Die Plantage – Raum zum Wachsen”. My wife attended a congress organised by the Niedersächsischer Turnerbund and met the project’s contact person there. Afterwards, she told me it was a fantastic initiative that absolutely deserved support. So the fact that I happened to be assigned there was a nice coincidence. (laughs)
What difference can a single day like this make to the organisations and the people there?
Hecking: Many of the people responsible at these organisations know there are certain things they simply can’t manage on their own – either because they don’t have enough staff or because the financial resources aren’t there. We won’t solve every problem with one visit. But if we stick with it and do this again every year, we can make a lasting difference. And a visit like this is also something special for the people there. It stays with them, I’m sure of that.
Have you experienced similar initiatives at other clubs during your career?
Hecking: Of course there are fan club gatherings or Christmas parties that players and coaches attend. But a day like this, where everyone heads out into the region together and genuinely rolls up their sleeves to help on site, is something I probably haven’t experienced in this form at any other club. So I’m looking forward to seeing what awaits us this time.
And what can a day like this do for VfL?
Hecking: When staff work together with the players on a task, that’s also a form of team-building. We have breakfast together, then head off to our projects and meet up again at the end. By then, everyone has experienced something and has their own story to tell. I think a day like this can bring us that little bit closer together.
Which player, male or female, do you expect to be the most skilled when it comes to practical work?
Hecking: That’s difficult for me to judge because I haven’t been back here long enough yet. So I don’t want to make a prediction for either the women or the men. But I’m sure everyone will be motivated to lend a hand on site and show what they can do.
Maximilian Arnold was already there with you for the first edition. Surely you can assess him …
Hecking: I genuinely can’t remember what he did back then or where his practical strengths lie. But I’d say he’s probably more like me in that respect. (laughs)
At what point would you say: This is exactly why the “Wir für euch” day was worthwhile?
Hecking: If, at the end of it, we get feedback that our work has genuinely helped the organisations. And if the day also has an impact on us at the same time. That sense of togetherness is important for VfL: that we stand united – staff, men, women and academy – and show that people can rely on us. If we achieve both of those things, then we’ll have done a lot of good that day.
