The clash between VfB’s under-13 side and their V-Varen Nagasaki counterparts at the World Football Festival in Japan last weekend was more than just an ordinary youth tournament match; it also marked the start of a close youth partnership between the professional Japanese football club and VfB, which is being supported by Kärcher. Based in Winnenden near Stuttgart, the world market leaders in cleaning technology have been closely associated with VfB for many years.
The cooperation features several different elements. Youngsters from V-Varen Nagasaki will pay regular visits to VfB to train with the club, experience a new culture and foreign environment, and foster their development. In addition, coaches from V-Varen’s youth department and employees from other areas of the club will be invited to Stuttgart on a regular basis to get to know the VfB team and experience the club’s youth setup at first hand. VfB youth coaches will also sit in on regular workshops in Nagasaki, as they did last week.
Additionally, VfB will get to take part in the PR(L)AY FOR PEACE project through a variety of activities. V-Varen Nagasaki is working with football clubs around the world to spread the message of peace through the initiative, whose name is derived from the words ‘play’ and ‘pray’.
Rouven Kasper, VfB’s Chief Marketing & Sales Officer: “For VfB Stuttgart, entering into this partnership with Nagasaki is a great honour and the next big step for the club. VfB Stuttgart’s first trip to Japan in 30 years in summer 2024 was an incredible success. Even before that tour, we held initial talks with Nagasaki about a possible future collaboration in which Kärcher – as a partner of both clubs – was an essential part. Youth football is part of our club’s DNA and we’re committed to building intercultural bridges, developing top international talent and promoting cooperation between Japan and Germany through youth football. We’re delighted to be taking the next big step on this journey alongside V-Varen – and as one big team.”
Takenori Tagawa, V-Varen Nagasaki CEO, added: “VfB Stuttgart and its youth academy have an excellent reputation. Many players from the Japanese national team have played for the club in the past. While discussing the partnership, we were very impressed by the passion shown by VfB Stuttgart and the people of Stuttgart in general. We’re very pleased that they understood our commitment to youth development and our vision for the future of V-Varen Nagasaki so perfectly. This collaboration will enable young players from our first team to train in Stuttgart – something which has proved difficult to implement in the past. I’m very pleased and looking forward to our upcoming projects.”
Pictured (from left to right): Matthias Borsamer (Head of International Sports Projects, VfB Stuttgart), Rouven Kasper (VfB Stuttgart’s Chief Marketing & Sales Officer), Takenori Tagawa (V-Varen Nagasaki CEO) and Takuya Takagi (V-Varen Nagasaki’s Club Relations Officer).