GERMAN AMERICAN KICKERS (GAK) OF MERCER COUNTY ENTER EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH GERMAN SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, PROVIDING A EUROPEAN PLAYER DEVELOPMENt MODEL AND YOUTH SUMMER CAMP TO THE CENTRAL NEW JERSEY REGION.
The German American Kickers (GAK) of Mercer County have entered into an exclusive partnership with Schaechter Sports, offering the highest level of youth development, coach education, cultural and player opportunities in Germany as well as bringing a European style youth summer camp to the central New Jersey region.
The main goal of the partnership is for the GAK to continue to provide high level soccer experience and leverage additional opportunities for players in central New Jersey. Under the partnership, GAK will receive consultation services, coach training, age appropriate curriculum, and opportunities to travel to Germany to participate in competitive tournaments and training sessions with first division professional Bundesliga clubs. The exclusive partnership allows both organizations to work closely with each other while maintaining their own identity. The initial term of the partnership will be for three years with the option and intention to grow the partnership and continuously renew thereafter.
The partnership allows the GAK to offer a wider array of resources to its teams while keeping the overall cost affordable for families. In Germany, most youth players, regardless of skill level or income, pay a minimal fee ($20 per month) to participate in competitive levels of soccer under some of the most qualified coaches in Europe. Germany has gained a global reputation for producing some of the best players and teams in the world, having won four world cup championships. Similarly, the GAK has a mission to provide a competitive soccer experience for boys and girls of all nationalities and religions so that all players can maximize their abilities in an affordable and family friendly environment. Many GAK players play in the highest flights of EDP and MOSA leagues and pay less than $1,000 in total - for the entire year.
The relationship between GAK and Schaechter Sports started last year and led to a highly successful summer camp. The camp was coached by two highly qualified UEFA licensed coaches, Marcus Becker and David Mueller, who traveled to New Jersey from Germany for two weeks to coach the camp and manage the staff. Marcus Becker is a former professional player, a UEFA “A” licensed coach and former Real Madrid youth academy coach. David Mueller is the location manager for Schaechter’s US presence. He is also a UEFA “B” licensed coach and talent identification recruiter and was responsible for identifying Weston McKennie of the US National Team. The camp will be offered again this year at GAK in early July.
The GAK Sports Chairman, Paul Bette, explains that, “I am excited about working closer with Schaechter Sports because the partnership is consistent with GAKs mission to provide a positive and competitive soccer experience at an affordable price. This unique program differentiates us from other clubs throughout the entire state and will be a draw for our club.”
David Mueller of Schaechter Sports asserts that, “It is great to finally seal this partnership. We have gotten to know the GAK as a reliable and professional organization that really wants to provide players in the state of New Jersey with true values. It is a very honest and honorable approach to American youth soccer and fits perfectly to our corporate ID. We have the ultimate goal to not just make New Jersey soccer better, but to provide all players with unique pathways and real opportunities.”
Sebastian Shaechter, President of Schaechter Sports, says that, "We are very happy to intensify our successful relationship with the German American Kickers, turning it into a long-term cooperation and partnership. With our global opportunities and network we can provide a lot of added values and further want to improve the development of players and coaches sustainably. We are looking forward to many joint events."
The GAK Director of Coaching, Vito Galluccio, said that, “It has been a pleasure to work with David Mueller and Schaechter Sports on this partnership over the last year and we look forward to building on a very strong relationship. It seemed like a natural fit, as both organizations have a similar approach and philosophy to youth development. We are very pleased to enter this partnership and help to introduce Schaechter Sports to players throughout the central New Jersey market.”