German Football Association bestows Julius Hirsch Prize upon Nordstadtliga
The North City League: A Beacon of Respect and Inclusion in Dortmund
The North City League in Dortmund, Germany, has been making waves in the world of sports and beyond for over two decades. This street football league, which operates year-round, serves as a remarkable example of lived remembrance work and promotes values such as respect, fairness, and social acceptance.
The league, which has been operational for over 20 years, is organised by the Dortmund Nordstadtliga. It is a self-organised initiative involving youth teams and community support from organisations like Jugendamt Dortmund, AWO Streetwork, and Fan-Projekt Dortmund e.V. The concept of self-organisation is emphasised as a unique way to promote the league's values and democracy.
Participants in the North City League organise the game operations themselves, providing a platform for those often neglected by society. This league reaches over 4,000 young people annually and operates to target young people who otherwise have limited access to organised sports.
Monika Nienaber-Willaredt, Dortmund city councilor for schools, youth, and family, has praised the North City League's work. Celia Šašić, DFB vice-president for equality and diversity, is a jury member for the Julius Hirsch Prize, and she highlights the social significance of the North City League.
The Julius Hirsch Prize, established in 2005 in dialogue with the Hirsch family, honours individuals and projects that courageously and effectively promote diversity, human dignity, and respectful coexistence, as well as against anti-Semitism, racism, and discrimination. The prize is named after Julius Hirsch, a seven-time German-Jewish national player, who won the German championship in 1910 and 1914. Tragically, Hirsch was murdered in the Auschwitz extermination camp in 1943.
This year, the North City League was honoured with the second place in the Julius Hirsch Prize 2025 for its commitment against discrimination, anti-Semitism, and racism. The German Football Association (DFB) has also honoured the North City League for its long-standing commitment to diversity, respect, and social inclusion.
The official award ceremony for the Julius Hirsch Prize 2025 will take place on November 27, 2025, in Hamburg. The North City League's work is recognised for promoting respectful coexistence, making it a remarkable example of lived democracy and remembrance work.
