Bundesliga club VfL Bochum launches partnership with Virginia youth club GFRSC

Bundesliga club VfL Bochum has launched an international youth development program in the United States, partnering with Northern Virginia youth club Great Falls Reston SC.

VfL Bochum, part of Germany’s Bundesliga, is continuing to grow in the international market. Together with its local partner, Great Falls Reston Soccer Club, VfL has established its first relationship in the USA with a focus on youth development.

The partnership’s official launch took place on Sunday, January 23rd, and included a unique kick-off, with top German freestyler Jannik Singpiel presenting to the new American audience. Since the launch, Bochum has hosted several live virtual sessions for Great Falls Reston players and coaches.

A Bochum rep also visited over the winter and conducted in-person sessions with players and conducted several coaches clinics. In addition, former players of the club, like Dariusz Wosz, will take part in Q&A sessions and share their experiences with the GFRSC players.

“We are very excited to team up with a Bundesliga first division club,” said Kurt Borel, Technical Director of Great Falls Reston Soccer Club. “We believe this is a great opportunity for our players and coaches to continue to learn and grow. Bochum comes with a wealth of experience and a reputation for developing soccer players. We’re hoping to foster a long-term relationship that allows players and coaches to visit with the German club and get first-hand experience with the game at a high level.”

Great Falls Soccer Club was established in 1976, with Reston Soccer Association entering the youth soccer scene a year later. Both clubs operated separately until 2018 when a merger was proposed, and the joint club became Great Falls Reston Soccer Club. The club has developed several players who have gone on to play and study at some of America’s best universities and professionally in the MLS, Spain, Greece, the Czech Republic and Germany.

With its origins dating back to 1848, VfL Bochum is one of the oldest sports organizations. As well as its proud history, the club is renowned for its youth development. VfL’s outstanding academy and youth development have seen the likes of Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich) and İlkay Gündoğan (Manchester City) grow and progress through its ranks.

VfL’s stadium, Vonovia Ruhrstadion, was one of the first modern football-only stadiums in Germany. It was expanded in the 1970s at Castroper Straße, and is regarded as one of the country’s most historic venues.

Christoph Wortmann, a member of the executive board at VfL Bochum, said: “We are very proud to get started with such a great partner in the USA. We’re looking forward to the fantastic launch in the coming months. With our brand identity, to be down-to-earth, approachable, and authentic, we want to deliver the best possible results and share our experiences. We also want to learn more about Great Falls Reston Soccer Club and their program, plus more about the USA in general.”