NEXT SOIZBURGER – that's the name of a new project the Red Bull Football Academy, our youth co-operation partner, is running together with the Salzburg Football Association (SFV). The idea intends to introduce more talents from our home region to football, and help to develop them as well as possible - to give them the best possible chance of becoming pros. By setting up an Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) and SFV accredited development branch of the Red Bull Football Academy in Lend (Pinzgau), talents who live in the south of the Salzburg region and lack the opportunity to train regularly in Liefering can develop within the set-up.
U9 development programme
The first steps in the project were made in the middle of April when a special U9 development programme was set up – in co-operation with the SFV and ÖFB. Youth teams in Lend should be able to base themselves there, train there and take part in competitions. It is planned that a new U10 team will base themselves in Lend from the second half of 2022.
Lend as an ideal location
Several aspects were considered in the decision to make Lend the location. The good accessibility from the major towns in the south of the Salzburg region plays an important role as well as the existing training options (pitches and a sports hall) in Lend as well as the chance for synergies with the current SFV development network. SV Lend is also currently without any youth teams.
Purpose
All kinds of positive effects are expected from the new base and planned new teams. Along with the expanded leisure offering for children, the early development of talent (and coaches) will benefit clubs in the area. In short - more children will be able to access the best possible football development in their area!
The Red Bull Football Academy will also be able to further develop the best talents who have benefited from this early football education, and will aim to prepare them for a higher level of football, such as the U15 academy team.
Explanatory work
In order to present the many aspects of the project, there will be some explanatory work in the next few weeks, says Bernhard Seonbuchner, head of sport at the Red Bull Football Academy:
The key idea in this project is to give as many kids as possible the best possible football training close to their homes. Everyone involved in football here should benefit - the children, the clubs from the region, the Salzburg association and professional football in Salzburg. We want to get everyone on board and will be delighted to hold lots of discussions to explain everything in detail.
