Soccer has a way of connecting people across communities and around the world. While the sport continues to grow across the United States, there is always something to learn from the clubs and academies that have helped shape the game overseas.
This summer, VfB Stuttgart partnered with Soccer in the Streets to bring that international experience right to Metro Atlanta. The partnership launched with a special three-day soccer clinic in our West End community where coaches from one of the Bundesliga’s top academies trained our young athletes.
VfB Stuttgart coaches led the clinic alongside Soccer in the Streets staff. Together, they created a fun and welcoming space where our players could build their skills, learn new techniques and experience a different perspective of the game.
“At VfB Stuttgart, we believe football has the power to connect people across cultures and create opportunities that extend far beyond the pitch. Together with Soccer in the Streets and The Halle Foundation, we are proud to provide young people from Atlanta with life-changing experiences that foster personal growth, intercultural understanding, and long-term friendships between Germany and the United States,” said VfB Chief Marketing Officer Karsten Petry.
For twelve Soccer in the Streets players, ages 11-13, the partnership is taking them across the seas thanks to a special grant from The Halle Foundation. Select players from the camp have been invited to travel to Germany, continue their training with VfB Stuttgart, and receive first-hand cultural experience – expenses paid!
“I always wanted to find a way to get Stuttgart connected to Atlanta. This will be our first major sports experience and we are happy to include Soccer in the Streets as a part of that,” said Chair and Trustee of the Halle Foundation Dr. Eike Jordan. “Soccer in the Streets is a great organization, and what we like is that it is open to everyone and serves underserved communities without borders. I would love to see the traction of this continue and have more sponsored driven experiences like this.”
Thoughtful partnerships like this give kids a window into the world beyond their own neighborhoods. Meeting international coaches helps our kids see that the game they love can connect them to people and opportunities around the globe. We hope
partnerships like this encourage our athletes to stay curious, dream bigger and see new possibilities for their future.
“This [initiative] is the first of its kind, and we hope to continue cultural exchanges like this,” said Soccer in the Streets Community Partnerships Manager Francisco Stenger.
We’re excited to keep bringing the world of soccer to our communities and to see where these partnerships take our kids to next. This is just the beginning.
