VfB Oldenburg: Talent boost for youth centers – DFB license in sight!

VfB Oldenburg: Talent boost for youth centers – DFB license in sight!

VfB Oldenburg has big plans to take its youth development to the next level. The plan is to convert the existing youth performance center (JLZ) into a youth performance center (NLZ) with a DFB license. This project is intended not only to improve the sporting development of young talent, but also to counteract the growing pressure from competition from the region. Jürgen Müllender, the chairman of the board of the Oldenburg Public, emphasizes the long-standing support of the institution, which has been supporting the association for almost two decades. People are aware that they are doing good business here for the future – not just for the club, but also for the region.

An important cornerstone for the project is the collaboration with the Oldenburg Public, which is always at VfB's side as a sponsor and partner. The focus is on retaining talent from U11 to U19 in the Oldenburg region and optimally preparing them for a career in professional football. In order to achieve this, there are DFB requirements that a licensed NLZ must meet. These include several football pitches, including at least two artificial turf pitches, as well as function rooms and a sports hall, which must be available exclusively to the NLZ. There is also the option of using an external location.

The focus is on talent development

An outstanding piece of news is the engagement of Alfred Kaminski as head of the new NLZ. His approach aims to intensify individual talent development and offer young players from the region the best possible training. VfB Oldenburg has set itself the goal of training future stars here and supporting them in their sporting and personal development. In addition, a holistic approach should be pursued that also includes social and school aspects.

The need for a powerful NLZ becomes particularly clear when you look at the competition: clubs like Werder Bremen, VfL Osnabrück and SV Meppen already have licensed NLZ. These not only hold on to the talent, but also prepare them optimally for the DFB performance leagues for the U17 and U19. VfB Oldenburg is forced to win back the talent it has previously lost and would like to set the course for this in the long term.

Resources and requirements

The infrastructural requirements for the new NLZ are high. In addition to the required football pitches, the plans also include offices, specialist rooms and sufficient play areas. The coaching staff must be expanded significantly in order to do justice to the large number of young people who will be supported from now on. Topics such as physiotherapy, pedagogy and psychology will also be part of the overall concept. These are essential for the development of young players in order to prepare them holistically for their future careers, as set out by the DFB in its guidelines.

There are currently 58 recognized performance centers in Germany: 18 for Bundesliga clubs, 18 for second division clubs and the rest are spread across third and regional league teams. VfB Oldenburg's commitment to a licensed NLZ is therefore not only a response to regional challenges, but also an opportunity to make a name for itself in the talented football landscape. However, ambitious planning remains a long-term task. VfB Oldenburg will continue to work on its vision and hopes for approval from the DFB in order to retain as many talents as possible in the long term as development progresses. This is the only way the club can ensure that the region's best talents do not leave the region, but are instead promoted under optimal conditions.

This is what the future looks like at VfB Oldenburg: With a clear focus on the development of young talent and an ambitious plan to create a modern youth performance center with a DFB license. A step that is of great importance not only for the club, but also for the entire region.

nwzonline.de reports that VfB Oldenburg is planning to expand its youth performance center with a DFB license. vfb-oldenburg.de highlights the importance of talent development and dfb.de explains the requirements for licensed performance centers.