South African young athletes get exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Eintracht Braunschweig

Sixteen young female athletes from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa, enjoyed a unique behind-the-scenes experience at German professional football club Eintracht Braunschweig during an international youth exchange hosted by Lehndorfer TSV over the German autumn school holidays.

The visit offered the delegation an exclusive glimpse into the world of professional football, combining a joint training session at the club’s stadium grounds, a personal meet-and-greet with Eintracht Braunschweig’s first-team head coach Lars Kornetka, lunch at the club’s restaurant, and a guided tour of the iconic EINTRACHT-STADION.

For the young South African athletes, the experience provided a rare opportunity to connect with a professional football environment, gain insights into the daily routines of an elite team and experience the passion and culture surrounding German football firsthand.

A Personal Welcome from the Head Coach

One of the highlights of the visit was meeting Lars Kornetka, head coach of Eintracht Braunschweig’s professional first team. 

The encounter gave the young athletes a special opportunity to experience the professional game beyond the pitch and to see firsthand the preparation, commitment and teamwork required at the highest level of the sport.

The delegation also had the chance to observe the club’s professional training environment, offering valuable behind-the-scenes insights into the world of elite football.

Football as a Bridge Between South Africa and Germany.

The visit formed part of an international youth exchange organised by the City of Braunschweig’s International Relations Office. The programme connects young female athletes from Braunschweig and Nelson Mandela Bay through sport, cultural exchange and a shared commitment to gender equality.

Earlier in the year, 18 athletes from Braunschweig travelled to South Africa for a two-week exchange, training and spending time with their South African counterparts. The return visit brought 16 young athletes from Nelson Mandela Bay to Germany, where the programme included sporting activities, workshops and opportunities to explore German culture and everyday life.