Fürth, Germany – SpVgg Greuther Fürth is deepening its international presence with a comprehensive football development program in Vietnam, signaling a strategic push into Southeast Asia. The initiative, launched during the 2024/2025 season, aims to foster the exchange of training methodologies, upskill local coaches, and nurture young talent within the country.
The program is a collaborative effort between Greuther Fürth and its local partner, VJSS, and receives crucial support from long-term partner LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG. This partnership underscores the club’s commitment to expanding its global reach and investing in the growth of football beyond its German base.
Digital Training and On-the-Ground Development
A cornerstone of the program has been a series of 15 digital training sessions delivered by Greuther Fürth coaches. These online sessions provided young Vietnamese players and local coaches with valuable insights into modern training techniques, technical skills, and the club’s established footballing philosophy. The digital format allowed for broad reach and accessibility, maximizing the impact of the program.
Building on the digital foundation, Greuther Fürth recently completed a two-week training visit to Vietnam. Coaches from the German club worked closely with local trainers and youth players from VJSS in both Da Nang and Binh Dinh. The visit wasn’t limited to practical field work; it too included coach education workshops covering crucial areas like training planning, game principles, and sustainable talent development. This holistic approach aims to build a lasting legacy of improved coaching standards in Vietnam.
Engaging Former Players for Inspiration
To further inspire the next generation of Vietnamese footballers, the program incorporated two digital Q&A sessions featuring former Greuther Fürth professionals Christian Fiedler and Roberto Hilbert. These interactive sessions allowed young players and coaches to directly engage with experienced players, gaining valuable perspectives on professional football, the German game, and navigating a career in the sport. Fiedler and Hilbert shared their personal experiences and offered advice, providing a unique and motivational element to the program.
A Platform for Cultural and Sporting Exchange
Greuther Fürth views this football development program as more than just a sporting initiative. It’s a platform for cultural exchange, fostering connections between Germany and Vietnam through the shared passion for football. The collaboration with VJSS and the support of LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG are instrumental in creating this bridge, demonstrating the power of football to unite people and regions across international borders.
The club’s recent activation in Vietnam, highlighted by a friendly match between the KURZ factory team and a selection of SPVGG GREUTHER FÜRTH players, was a significant success. This event, held during the opening of a modern KURZ factory in Quy Nhon City, showcased the team spirit and camaraderie between the two organizations. According to Thomas Wägner, General Director of KURZ Vietnam, the match evolved into “a great family day” with widespread enjoyment. The event also garnered media attention, including television coverage and the presence of journalists, further amplifying its impact.
Timo Schiller, Business Manager Marketing, Sales & Communication at Greuther Fürth, emphasized the program’s role in increasing the club’s visibility in a key market and supporting the broader goals of the DFL (German Football League). “We are pleased that People can drive internationalization in small but effective steps in order to increase the visibility of the DFL in this relevant target market,” he stated.
This initiative builds on previous successful collaborations between Greuther Fürth and LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, demonstrating a long-term commitment to international engagement. The club’s efforts in Vietnam are part of a broader strategy to expand its global network and strengthen its position in the international football landscape.
Greuther Fürth, currently competing in the 2. Bundesliga after relegation from the Bundesliga in the 2021-22 season, has a rich history dating back to 1903. The club has won three German championships in the pre-Bundesliga era (1914, 1926, and 1929) and continues to strive for success on the pitch while simultaneously expanding its reach off the field.
The club’s next challenge is a 2. Bundesliga match against [insert opponent and date here – information not provided in sources]. Fans can follow the latest updates and news on the official Greuther Fürth website: https://www.sgf1903.de/.
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