Jens Scheuer Joins Common Goal

Bayern Munich Women’s Head Coach Makes the 1% Pledge

Jens Scheuer says it is his dream to see every young person get the chance to play and learn through football as he joins Common Goal.

While his FC Bayern Munich side sit at the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga, Scheuer has decided to pledge 1% of his earnings towards driving social change through football.

The head coach of the team – who have won every league game this season –  made his announcement alongside Bayern Women’s Sporting Director and current Common Goal member, Bianca Rech, who joined the organisation in the summer of last year.

Speaking candidly about what the game has given him, Jens talked about his decision to support the Global Goal 5 Accelerator Project, and what inspired him to join the movement.

“Sport has given me so much, [it] prevented me from going down the wrong path, be it coming into contact with alcohol too early or with other drugs,” he said.

“That's why it was clear to me that I wanted to do something there. I wanted to do something, but I didn’t have any specific project. It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to use football to support disadvantaged [young] people and children.

“The fact that women's football has given me a lot, of course, also financially, that's why I said that I would like to use my contribution towards the education of young girls in Africa because I think that we can also achieve great impact there, not only in football but also in the social environment.”

Bianca Rech, who has amassed 20 caps for the German national team and more than 270 appearances across Germany’s top-flight division before settling into a directorial role with Bayern, echoed the sentiments of Jens and was quick to point out the merits of Common Goals purpose.

“You think about what you could do and you don't really know where to start and if the money goes to where it is needed most,” she said.

“I think the initiative, the idea, is incredibly good because it really is about giving something back and making things possible, and that with a small contribution can make a difference, and I know that it will go to the right place.”

Both members made their respective pledges during the time of the coronavirus, a fact that was not lost on either.

“In the past year or even now, there was a lot of time to reflect, when I noticed or realised how privileged I am,” said Rech.

“I never had to worry about whether I could pay for tomorrow’s dinner or afford the roof over my head. On top of that, I was still able to pursue my hobby, my job, the thing that I love.

“This is of course also a special moment in time because you also think about how many people in this world are much, much worse off and not even that far away from us.”

“I'm doing well even during the coronavirus pandemic,” Scheuer added.

“You learn to appreciate certain things and want to give something back. Even if it is a small contribution, I wanted to give something back.”

The duo were asked about their dreams for the future of football, with Bianca pondering whether the huge sums of money in football were justified.

“A bit more normality, perhaps,” she said.

“We all know what football is like these days and the question is always a little bit if everything that happens there is justified, the huge sums that are paid, the transfer fees, player salaries, is it out of proportion? That is certainly something that can be questioned.”

Jens’ dreams look far into the future, with a desire to see every child presented with an opportunity to play the beautiful game if they wish to do so.

“I think my wish might take a little longer to achieve, 15, maybe 20 years,” he said.

“I just wish that every girl and every boy has the opportunity to play football all over the world, starting with certain questions of faith to the facilities or high-quality sports fields to which many children and adolescents have no access.

“Often they aren’t able to play football at all, let alone have football shoes to play in.

And the two are adamant that they will spread the word Common Goal to others within the industry.

“First and foremost, it's about making a difference myself, but of course, if you can motivate others by doing so or make them realise that there are ways to give back with a relatively manageable budget, then that would be great for me,” said Scheuer.