In an exciting move to foster football talent, the German Bundesliga club Werder Bremen has launched a football development program in South Africa.
This initiative is designed to nurture young players and enhance the skills of local coaches, ensuring a bright future for the sport in the region.
Engaging with the Community
The program began with an impactful visit to the village of iSithumba, located just 45 minutes from Durban.
During this visit, Bremen coaches held training sessions for young aspiring footballers and conducted a specialized training program for local coaches.
To further support the initiative, they donated football kits and equipment to the children, helping to strengthen grassroots football development.
In an exclusive chat with FARPost, Dominik Kupilas, Werder’s Head of Fan and Business Development, shared that the club intends to sustain this program for over three months.
“We coached 45 kids and 15 coaches, and it was an incredible community experience,” Kupilas remarked.
“We provided jerseys to the kids, marking the kickoff of our football development program, which we plan to run for the next three to five months.”
Why South Africa is Key for Bundesliga Expansion
Kupilas highlighted that South Africa is a crucial target market for the Bundesliga, primarily due to the country’s immense potential and talent pool.
“That’s a key reason for our visit—South Africa is a target market for us,” he explained.
“Our international efforts are always geared toward representing the Bundesliga, and we analyze where we can make the most significant community impact.”
Notably, Werder Bremen’s visit aligned with a delegation from the City of Bremen, including Mayor Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte.
The two cities have a longstanding partnership spanning 25 years, promoting collaboration across various sectors, including sports.
Strengthening Ties Between Durban and Bremen
“The partnership between Durban and Bremen is robust, making this initiative a natural fit due to the strong relationships between our cities,” Kupilas noted.
“We are committed to creating a meaningful impact in this community by developing young players, not just in their football skills but also in their character. The same applies to our coaching efforts.”
Sebastian Schächter, a business consultant accompanying Kupilas, echoed these sentiments, recognizing the potential among local coaches and players.
He stressed that the program aims to enhance the community’s knowledge and skills, ultimately elevating their performance on the field.
Sharing Knowledge for Future Growth
“Our goal is to share knowledge and transfer the finer details of the game to the community,” said Sebastian.
“There are many talented coaches here, but when it comes to identifying players with the potential to turn professional, it’s often the small details that make a big difference.
We want to pass on these insights to local coaches and those eager to develop their skills.”
This exciting program not only aims to cultivate football talent but also seeks to forge lasting connections and knowledge sharing between Germany and South Africa.
It sets the stage for a promising future for the sport in the region, highlighting the power of collaboration and community engagement.
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