Nelson Mandela Bay athletes given behind-the-scenes Eintracht Braunschweig visit

Sixteen young female athletes from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality were given an insight into professional football during a visit to German club Eintracht Braunschweig.

The delegation travelled to the club as part of an international youth exchange hosted by Lehndorfer TSV during the German autumn school holidays.

Their programme included a joint training session at the club’s stadium grounds, a meeting with Eintracht Braunschweig first-team head coach Lars Kornetka, lunch at the club’s restaurant and a guided tour of the EINTRACHT-STADION.

The visit enabled the South African athletes to experience a professional football environment and learn more about the routines of an elite team. It also offered an introduction to the culture and atmosphere surrounding football in Germany.

Meeting Lars Kornetka

A key part of the day was the delegation’s personal welcome from Kornetka, who coaches Eintracht Braunschweig’s professional first team.

Meeting the head coach allowed the athletes to engage with the game away from the pitch and gain a closer understanding of the preparation, commitment and teamwork demanded at the highest level.

They also observed the club’s professional training environment, gaining further insight into the work carried out behind the scenes by an elite football team.

The experience formed part of a wider youth exchange organised by the City of Braunschweig’s International Relations Office.

The programme brings together young female athletes from Braunschweig and Nelson Mandela Bay through sport, cultural exchange and a shared commitment to gender equality.

It is designed to build connections between the two communities while giving participants the opportunity to train together and learn about one another’s lives and cultures.

Earlier in the year, 18 athletes from Braunschweig travelled to South Africa for a two-week exchange. They trained alongside their South African counterparts and spent time with them during the visit.

The return exchange brought 16 athletes from Nelson Mandela Bay to Germany. Alongside the Eintracht Braunschweig visit, their schedule featured sporting activities, workshops and opportunities to explore German culture and everyday life.

The programme therefore combined football with broader educational and cultural experiences, using sport to strengthen links between young people in South Africa and Germany.