The launch ceremony of the Volkswagen VfL Wolfsburg Football Academy took place at our school on 17 May. As the first permanent football academy established by VfL Wolfsburg in China, the initiative has been jointly developed by the Volkswagen Intelligent Electric Vehicle Center, VfL Wolfsburg, Hefei Meister Sports Training Academy Co., Ltd., and our school.
Drawing on our school’s international education standards and holistic educational philosophy, the academy introduces the well-established youth training system and standardised training model of the Bundesliga. It integrates professional football youth development into everyday school life, supporting the development of youth football in Hefei and providing systematic, professional football training opportunities for local students and families in the international community.
Joining Hands to Embark on a New Journey
Guests delivered speeches during the ceremony, marking this significant milestone together.
Miroslav Khula, CEO of Volkswagen (Anhui) Co., Ltd., stated that building fine automobiles and playing excellent football share the same core values: teamwork, passion and perseverance. He noted that Volkswagen Anhui has always adhered to the development philosophy of “In China, for China”. By bringing professional training courses from Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg to Hefei, the company aims to support local communities and employees’ families, while enabling children to build courage, develop team spirit and gain inner strength through running, passing and shooting.
Liu Na, General Manager of VfL Wolfsburg China, highlighted the club’s strong professional football heritage and its long-standing commitment to the development of youth training systems. Since 2014, VfL Wolfsburg has partnered with Volkswagen to launch youth football training, coach certification programmes and community football initiatives across Germany and China. The official launch of the football academy in Hefei marks an important milestone for VfL Wolfsburg as it brings its professional training concepts into practical youth football education at a local level.
Heide Schaffer, Head of School, and Jessie Wu, Executive President of the School, noted that IGS has always prioritised students’ all-round development. Football is not merely a sport, but also a platform for cross-cultural communication and team education. Through this partnership, the school looks forward to offering students richer sporting experiences and enabling children to enjoy football in an open, safe and diverse campus environment.
Tao Hongwei, representing Hefei Meister Sports Training Academy Co., Ltd., emphasised that, as VfL Wolfsburg’s first permanent football academy in China, the Volkswagen VfL Wolfsburg Football Academy will bring world-class professional football coaching resources and an international perspective to youth football development in Anhui Province. Led by Head Coach Enis, a German coach holding the UEFA B Licence, the academy will guide young players in developing their interest in sport, building solid football foundations and steadily improving their athletic proficiency through systematic professional training.
A Vibrant Ceremony and the Joy of Football
The ceremony featured interactive games as well as youth and adult football matches. Players ran freely across the pitch and enjoyed the excitement of football. Wölfli, the mascot of VfL Wolfsburg, made a surprise appearance and brought even more energy to the event. Guests and parents watched the matches up close, learned more about the youth training system, and experienced the professionalism and enjoyment of football first-hand.
Empowered by VfL Wolfsburg, Chasing Dreams in Hefei
The football academy is open to boys and girls from U6 to U13, offering systematic semester-based training and organising opportunities to participate in competitions. Its curriculum covers football initiation, interest development and advanced improvement, creating targeted growth pathways for young players at different levels and stages.
Rooted in VfL Wolfsburg’s professional youth training system, the academy will track students’ all-round progress in daily training and offer further development opportunities for outstanding young talents through professional evaluation. In the future, promising young players who demonstrate outstanding performance in training will be recommended for youth team trials and selection opportunities in Germany.
IGS and the Volkswagen VfL Wolfsburg Football Academy will further integrate professional football training with campus education. We aim to help more young people fall in love with football in a structured and engaging training environment, while providing continuous sports development support for expatriate families living and working in Hefei. Starting from Hefei, we connect children, families, schools and the wider community, allowing a passion for football to grow steadily through every training session and match.