A guest article by Lotte Goertz
Hey, my name is Lotte Goertz, I am 19 years old and am currently playing my first professional season with Dresdner SC in the 1st Bundesliga. Before that I played for VCO Dresden, the youth team of the federal base in Dresden.
I am currently also playing in the youth national team and would like to give you a closer look at the youth national team's activities and everything that goes with it.
The journey of a youth national player begins with the national coach's scouting. The first scouting takes place during the national cups. This is a tournament in which the various regional associations compete and the national coach is also present.
But over the years, players are also spotted at other competitions. This creates a squad that often varies at the beginning as new talents are discovered. For example, I was not spotted at one of the national cups, but only at a later date.
I am currently part of the U-20 team, which is usually the last year of the youth national team. The team now consists of a predominantly permanent squad, the NK1 (youth squad). It is important to say that almost all NK athletes train at one of the five national bases in Germany, as these offer optimal conditions for the development of the players and we can perfectly combine school and training.
training courses and friendly matches
In order to take part in the activities, the players need the consent of the school. At my school, the Dresden Sports High School, I have to submit an exemption application, which requires the signature of the responsible coach and tutor. I also have to make arrangements with my teachers if I miss performance tests or exams, and arrange pre- or post-exam dates. I am responsible for all of this myself. Catching up on school material requires a lot of discipline and motivation. Sometimes it works better, sometimes less so.
Usually, several players are invited to a course, which either serves as preparation for a tournament or simply for training. During training or during the tournament, the focus is on teamwork and the development of technical elements. Most training camps last from a few days to several weeks. At the end of the preparation phase, the competition squad for the upcoming tournament is nominated.
The usually short preparation time requires complex training units that focus primarily on coordination between the setters and attackers and on achieving good team dynamics. Team building measures and the use of sports psychologists also strengthen the team's cohesion. In their free time, they often play cards and undertake planned activities. For example, last year I spent New Year's Eve with my national team colleagues because the course took place directly after Christmas and into the New Year. We played laser tag and in the evening we all slid into the New Year together at a team dinner. Since most of the players are from the same year, friendships develop very quickly, which can strengthen the team structure enormously.
At the end of the preparation phase, test matches are played against other nations to strengthen teamwork and determine which areas still need to be worked on before the tournament begins. At the end of the training camp, the final squad is nominated.
The competition schedule
After the nomination, the competition is within reach. Depending on the location and situation, we usually travel to the competitions by plane. The tournaments vary in length, from a few days to two weeks. The journey is usually planned so that the team can get at least one day of training in the competition hall to get used to the environment and the hall conditions.
Then the games start, with each team usually playing one game per day. On a game day, there is usually a ball or athletics session in the morning, depending on the players' workload, of course. We then use the days without games for regeneration measures.
The accommodations in which the team is housed range from various hotels to youth hostels. At tournaments, teams from all nations are often accommodated in the same accommodation. This is an absolute highlight for all players, as it allows us to exchange ideas with other teams and swap competition clothing.
You also get to know the customs and cultures of other teams, which is extremely interesting. This is where I usually realise how much of a privilege it is to represent your country internationally and to be able to play with the eagle on your chest. The path to the youth national team is demanding, but the experience you gain and the company of players of my age make every effort worthwhile. You develop not only athletically, but also personally.