Heiner Brand honored in Cologne: The path from tax advisor to coaching star!

Heiner Brand honored in Cologne: The path from tax advisor to coaching star!

A new era for sport in Germany has begun. On October 30, 2025, the Hall of Fame for Trainers was launched in the German Sports and Olympic Museum in Cologne. As part of this celebratory event, Heiner Brand, the legendary world champion coach, was one of the first to be honored. The 73-year-old, who initially intended to become a tax advisor, began his impressive career as an assistant coach for the national team and, as national coach, led the German men's handball team to the World Cup title in 2007. This inspiring story and his achievements make him an exemplary representative of the newly founded Hall of Fame.

The inauguration of the Hall of Fame was initiated by the Coaching Academy of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) to honor coaches for their essential role in sport. Of the ten trainers honored, nine were present in person; only Hugo Budinger, who died in 2017, was missing. Other distinguished coaches include Bernhard Peters, who led the German national hockey team to two World Cup victories, and Fritz Fischer from biathlon. Steffi Nerius, among the javelin throw honorees, is also active and represents the new generation of coaches.

Trainers in focus

The Hall of Fame is intended not only to highlight the successes of a few, but also to recognize the commitment of all those coaches who contribute every day to ensuring that over 500,000 athletes in Germany continue to progress. As the director of the Cologne Coaching Academy, Lothar Linz, emphasizes, this honor is a milestone that puts the coaches in the spotlight and recognizes their crucial role in German sport. In his welcoming speech, Cologne's mayor Torsten Burmester emphasized the importance of this initiative.

The first members of the Hall of Fame were selected by a five-member jury who evaluated the performance of those coaches who have shaped Olympic champions, world champions and young talents. The plan is to expand the Hall of Fame to include additional members every year in order to promote engagement in this profession and to shed light on the key role of coaches in sport.

The evening was also characterized by the personal stories of the honorees. Bernhard Peters spoke about his career and development in hockey, which made the event a moving experience. Heiner Brand and his colleagues are at the heart of this new initiative, which aims to honor the coaching profession and raise awareness of its importance. This Hall of Fame will provide the framework to better recognize achievements in sport and promote the passion that coaches put into the development of their athletes.

The Coaches' Hall of Fame is a step in the right direction to give athletes and their mentors a special status in Germany and to celebrate them for their tireless work.