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Club, 25. March 2022

VfB start youth development program

VfB Stuttgart is embarking on a unique youth soccer development program with German American Kickers in Trenton New Jersey, USA.

Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart is embarking on a unique youth soccer development program in Trenton New Jersey, USA. Together with the local Partner German American Kickers (GAK), the club will start the relationship with the focus on youth development. During the next months, the German top-flight club will host several digital live-sessions for GAK players and coaching-clinics including digital visits of former players.

“We are very excited to team up with VfB Stuttgart, which came about through our partnership with Schaechter Sports. Especially in these challenging times, we believe that this is a great opportunity for our players and coaches to continue to learn and grow. The fact that Rino Matarazzo, head coach of VfB Stuttgart, was raised in Fairlawn, New Jersey, makes that partnership very unique” said Paul Bette, chairman of the German American Kickers.

The German American Kickers (GAK) Soccer Club is sponsored by the German American Society of Trenton. The club has a great history of soccer excellence in the region, dating back to its beginnings with the Trenton Liederkranz SC formed in 1930 and then being renamed German American Kickers in 1962 after a fusion with another Trenton German Club, the Aurora. The GAK is one of the most well-known and respected clubs in the tri-state area. The club has sent many players to play at the collegiate and professional levels throughout the years. It continues its program of soccer excellence today, supporting both girls and boys teams which compete at the highest amateur levels in the region, and is in the process of forming a top flite men’s team to begin play this fall.

VfB Stuttgart is a club with a long history. The beginnings of an institution in German football and founding member of the Bundesliga date back to the latter half of the 19th century – the pioneering period of German football. The club has since developed into a flagship with massive power of identification and is an integral element in the everyday lives of many people in the region. Boasting over 75.000 club members, huge sporting successes, such as five German championship wins, have played a major role in seeing the club take up a position amongst the front-runners in the all-time Bundesliga table, whilst also acquiring a positive reputation on the international stage. Many famous international star players are products of the VfB Youth Soccer System, such as current German National Team players Timo Werner (Chelsea), Antonio Ruediger (Chelsea) and Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern Muenchen). Former US National Team Head Coach Juergen Klinsmann was also a star player in his playing days at VfB Stuttgart from 1984 – 1989 and helped the German National Team win the FIFA World Cup in 1990.

VfB-Board Member Rouven Kasper says: „We are thrilled to start this Partnership with the German American Kickers in New Jersey, the home of our Head Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. We want to organize great joint activities full of passion and commitment, especially in these challenging times. We kick off with digital coaching clinics and Live Sessions for the kids and hope to visit soon.“