Kick-starting new coaching plan
By Cui Haipai in Huaian, Jiangsu province (China Daily) Updated：2017-09-28
Huaiyin academy is dedicated to training teachers in German system
In the wake of another World Cup qualification failure for China this summer, a new academy in Jiangsu province aims to breathe fresh life into the nation's soccer push.
The Sino-German Football Academy of Huaiyin Normal University opened in Huaian on Sept 23, dedicated to churning out coaches taught to German standards.
They will in turn instruct youngsters in primary and middle schools.
The school will be aided by the Berlin Football Association (BFV) - one of the 21 state offshoots of the German Football Association - and will apply the same methods that have yielded Germany such impressive results on the global stage over the past two decades.
It is the first school of its kind among China's teacher-training centers, known as 'normal universities', as well as the first among all universities in the province.
"The key behind German soccer's success is youth training," BFV vice-chairman Gerd Liesegang said at the academy's opening ceremony.
"Seventeen years ago we were in a slump, but since implementing our youth training system we are one of the best in the world again."
Germany's star-studded senior team needs little introduction and the country's conveyor belt of talent continues to keep rolling for Joachim Low's reigning world champions.
In July, the Under-21s won the European championship and an experimental senior squad secured the country's first Confederations Cup title.
"After Euro 2000 we faced a similar situation that China faces today. With a more scientific youth training system, I believe China's soccer level will be greatly improved within 10 years," Liesegang said.
"Chinese soccer needs a great number of trained coaches, especially at the grassroots level. The new academy is part of a high-level drive to learn from the rest of the world."
