Lüneburg football talents on the hunt for success in Ahlerstedt!

Lüneburg football talents on the hunt for success in Ahlerstedt!

Football in Lüneburg is tough, at least when it comes to the talented people who travel long distances for their hobby. In a place where ambitious football opportunities are few and far between, young players like Noah Kirsch, Anton, Rasmus and Fabian regularly commute to Ahlerstedt to play in the A-youth team of JFV Ahlerstedt/Ottendorf in the regional league. These committed teenagers, all 18 years old, have made a name for themselves in the region over the last year and a half and have consistently committed themselves to the club's motto "You'll never walk alone", which stands for community and support within the team, as the JFV itself describes it reported.

For his training sessions, Noah drives a striking white VW bus, decorated with the SV Ahlerstedt/Ottendorf logo. At least three times a week we go from Lüneburg to Ahlerstedt, plus there are games on the weekend. For Fabian, the journey even means an extra 40 minutes by bus. In total, he sits in traffic for up to an hour. “Let’s get down to business” you could say, considering that the motivation and ambition behind these trips are not valued highly enough in the region. The four players know each other from their time at JFV Lüneburg and even since the U10 and have decided together to take the step.

Unbroken passion despite challenges

The reason for these pendulum actions is as simple as it is frustrating: there is a lack of suitable football opportunities in Lüneburg. Artificial turf pitches are rare and the services offered are not sufficient. Noah was the first to master the challenge and was able to count on the support of his former coach, Olaf Lakämper. The focus is on the development of young talent. The JFV relies on comprehensive training that not only promotes football skills, but also the personal development of the players, which is essential in today's world explained.

To make travel easier, the club has provided its own minibus, which the boys can use free of charge. With a full tank, the bus is parked in Ahlerstedt and at Noah's home. Also on the bus are Jordan Dente, Jonatan Wloch, Jason Marahrens and Osarobo Ehigie. The ninth place is always reserved for the driver to relieve Noah in hectic times. And there is a very special rule on the bus: the passenger is not allowed to sleep in order to entertain Noah on the way. “It’s the little things that hold us together,” says Noah.

Dreams and ambitions

Despite the tough fight so far this season - the JFV A-Juniors have only won two of seven games and are currently 15 points behind first place, which JFV Lübeck holds - Noah and Fabian are already dreaming of college in the USA after they graduate from high school next summer. The selection process is carried out through an agency, and the two of them are excited about what the future holds.

Viewed in a larger context, the commitment of Noah, Anton, Rasmus and Fabian also shows the challenges of promoting talent in German football as a whole. Recent studies have shown that manufacturers like the DFB suffer significant financial losses by ignoring the so-called Relative Age Effect (RAE), while talented players often do not receive the support they deserve explains the Süddeutsche.This challenge must be addressed in order to discover and promote even more talent in the future.

So everyone involved can only hope that the efforts put in by Noah and his teammates were not in vain. After all, football can be a path to great success - and sometimes small journeys get in the way of big dreams.