Big News for the International Soccer Academy in Germany, Presented by Warubi Sports
The International Soccer Academy in Germany, presented by Warubi Sports, has been featured in a short documentary by German television, with national leading broadcaster ARD and their department MDR filming the project in Dresden. This exciting development highlights the academy’s growing recognition and impact on the global soccer scene. Stay tuned for more updates!
ARD & MDR: Headquarters of German Television
ARD, along with ZDF, forms the core of German television. The MDR department, based in Leipzig, serves as the main broadcaster for the Saxony and Central Germany region, covering and broadcasting local, regional, and national topics across the country.
During prime time, the MDR drew nationwide attention to the International Soccer Academy, presented by Warubi Sports in cooperation with SC Borea Dresden, on its well-known sports show, “Sport im Osten” (translates to “Sports in the East”). This coverage highlighted the growing prominence of the academy and its impact on the soccer community.
Education, Culture, and a Lot of Soccer
“Sport im Osten” took an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the International Soccer Academy in Dresden, following six young US players from Warubi Sports as they navigated their everyday life between school, German culture, and the soccer field. The documentary explored what life is like in Germany, how it differs from the U.S., and provided an inside look at the soccer training of these six talented athletes.
A short documentary by Torsten Püschel, broadcast live on German television, highlighted the dreams, goals, and opportunities available to international soccer players.
The International Soccer Academy in Germany
Behind the Scenes with Six Young American Players
Torsten Püschel: “A few boys are playing soccer by the ‘Königsufer’—nothing unusual in Germany. But these six boys are from the United States, from Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, and California. For a year, they play soccer at SC Borea in Dresden. But before soccer, their day starts here, at the International School. They quickly realized that this exchange year would be anything but easy.”
Phillip Stark: “I think the school here is a lot harder than back home. You have to invest more, there’s more homework, and the tests are tougher.”
Carter Schmitz: “I want to be able to have actual conversations with people after this year and hopefully speak the language pretty well.”
Torsten Püschel: The school schedule follows the American high school system, with lots of German lessons. The content is tailored specifically to the soccer players.
Berit Busch (German Teacher): “They’re super interested in Germany, in Dresden, and in learning the German language. They need a few soccer words, like goalkeeper, goal, halfway line, and so on.”
The Soccer Level
Torsten Püschel: The boys get to put their new vocabulary into practice every evening at the “Jägerpark,” home of SC Borea Dresden. It’s a club known for its strong youth development. Notable former players include Tony Jantschke, Toni Leistner, and Marvin Stefaniak. Soccer training in Germany is different from what they’re used to in the U.S.
Carter Schmitz: “You have to be fit here as well, but technique is much more important. Controlling the ball, pass accuracy, and positioning on the field. The technical side is emphasized much more than physical strength.”
Torsten Püschel: Carter, a center-back from Arizona, quickly adapted to the German system and earned a starting position on his team.
Boris Lucic (Former Pro and U19 Coach): “He’s really strong in headers. The only player on our team who’s strong in headers. He’s already scored twice off corners, but there’s still room for improvement.”
Torsten Püschel: Carter’s roommate, Phillip Stark, a goalkeeper, also sees a big difference in the intensity of games in the U19 Landesliga compared to the U.S.
Phillip Stark: “The intensity here is much higher, even in games that are already decided. Whether you’re ahead or behind, the level of intensity remains high all the way through. That’s something I didn’t experience as much in the U.S.”
International Soccer Academy & College Soccer in the USA
Torsten Püschel: The boys live in a boarding school at Borea, with Carter and Phillip calling it home for a year. But this exchange program isn’t just a one-way street.
Christian Fröhlich (Former Pro and U17 Coach): “In the end, we have one more talented player on the team. The collaboration between the club and the people organizing this is working really well. Who knows, maybe some of our players will get scholarships to play in the U.S. as well.”
Torsten Püschel: The project was organized by a sports agency from Florida, which usually helps athletes move from Germany to U.S. universities for sports like soccer, golf, or athletics. This time, however, it’s the other way around.
Chris Griebsch (WARUBI Sports): “In America, sports like basketball and American football are huge. They’re the leading country in those sports. In soccer, Germany is one of the leading nations, and our players want to experience that here. They want to develop further and learn from Germany’s technical, tactical, and training approaches.”
Investment in the Future
Torsten Püschel: School and boarding costs are covered by the players’ parents, making this year in soccer-focused Germany an investment in their future. The ultimate goal: a soccer scholarship for a U.S. college team. But, who knows, they may not go back to the U.S.
Carter Schmitz: “By the end of the year, I want to attend a few tryouts here in Germany—preferably with semi-pro and pro clubs—and just see where this path takes me.”
Torsten Püschel: Six young American players at the Elbe, embarking on an exciting journey. And who knows, maybe one day Carter, Phillip, Townes, Kip, Rahul, or others will return to Dresden and play for Dynamo Dresden in the Bundesliga.
Program Information: warubi-sports.com/international-soccer-academy
SC Borea Dresden: www.borea-dresden.org/verein/english
Dresden International School (DIS): www.dresden-is.de/en
With the blogs on the topic of Soccer Scholarships USA, the sports manager and player scout Marcel Mutz from Freiburg, Germany helps you to focus on your next career steps. With the help of the experience as an active soccer player and coach, as well as the worldwide Warubi Sports network, his information should help you with your future planning.
