Young soccer players get international exposure

 

            International soccer came to Buffalo Grove recently as Schwaben AC hosted Hamburger Fuball-Verband, a German youth football program from Hamburg, Germany. In addition to fielding youth soccer teams, they are the governing body for all soccer games played in Hamburg

            According to Thomas Gansauge Schwaben’s director of coaching, the club has been practicing an international exchange program with the Hamburg club since 2012.

            Members of the Schwaben AC spent 10 days visiting Germany in July. The Hamburg team’s visit to Schwaben AC from Oct. 19 -29, included soccer games with neighboring clubs, and a game against the Chicago Fire at Schwaben’s Buffalo Grove facility. The Germans also visited German consulate, Stevenson High School, Willis Tower, took an architectural boat tour and spent a “family day” with Schwaben players in Buffalo Grove.

            According to Gansauge, the program has seven main goals:

** Expose players to a country with strong soccer culture.

** To represent Schwaben in high level competition.

** Travel to become a better person and soccer player.

** Build character.

** Gain a new perspective on soccer.

** Experience and appreciate another culture.

** Create friendships with international soccer players.

            Schwaben AC was founded by German immigrants from the Swabia area in 1926. The club won two U.S. Amateur Championships in 1964 and 1998. Schwaben currently has 25 soccer teams including a womens and a mens team.