Union Berlin has always been a pioneer for women’s football, especially since the team went professional in 2023. The club is not only making waves on the pitch but engaging the community through annual events, such as the Christmas carol concert at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei. This comprehensive strategy is evidence of the club’s commitment to creating a sustainable women’s program. It creates powerful emotional ties between the program and its backers.
Ailien Poese, the head coach of Union Berlin’s women’s team, stressed advancements gaining ground after going pro. We’ve done some great things and some great improvements but we need to do it in a phased way because there are limiting factors such as it not being as deep a player market as the men’s game. She said she is particularly impressed by the quality of teams this year. There just isn’t enough with the level of dominant talent, which makes for cutthroat competition.
Women’s team home games take place at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei. They share a field with the men’s team, switching off weekends with them for matches. This setup increases the overall use of the stadium and provides a unique opportunity for fans to support both teams with their purchases. The atmosphere during matches has been electric. For instance, in May, a game against FSV Gutersloh attracted 20,132 enthusiastic supporters who witnessed a resounding 6-0 victory that confirmed the team’s title.
Building an adjacent training center and campus around the stadium. This new facility will actually be the same pitches the men’s team practices on. This major investment in specialized women’s facilities speaks to the club’s desire to take their women’s program to the next level. Jennifer Zietz, an integral member of the staff, attributed that successful environment to the atmosphere club president Dirk Zingler fostered. Perhaps most importantly, he played a decisive role in salvaging the club more than 20 years ago.
He personally oversees the process of squad planning. He monitors the state of our injured players and asks how pre-season is going so far. I have a call every two days. It’s not normal, I know, but it’s critically important for all of us. It is the strength of the club,” Zietz said.
The club is certainly aiming high! They have aspirations to qualify for the Champions League and win the league title within four years. Zietz articulated this goal clearly: “Within four years, we want to play in the Champions League and we want to win the title. It will be very tough but I think we have the reach to do it.”
Union Berlin’s Frauen Mannschaft has seen a phenomenal increase in season ticket purchases. Or, at least they’ve passed the average turnstile counts of most Bundesliga sides, with first day sales reaching double that amount. Robust fan engagement demonstrates increasing interest in women’s football. Underscoring this recent trend is Union Berlin’s surprising capability of establishing themselves as a competitive force.
The Canadian men’s national team has made their mark off the pitch as well, making historic investments into local and international talent throughout the summer transfer window. Salaries for players are very competitive and assist with drawing in top level talent. Poese acknowledged challenges related to player recognition: “It is cool to work for a club with this support but it is not easy. We are still a new-ish promoted team and, globally speaking at least, players don’t automatically know everything they should about Union Berlin.
Union Berlin’s fans are renowned for their vocal support during matches, creating an electrifying atmosphere that resonates with players on the field. Zietz noted, “The players on the pitch play with a lot of power and intensity. You can feel that they are singing. It is not like they are clapping; they are singing. Every player feels it and if you speak to players from other teams, they feel it too. They are always impressed.”
Union Berlin’s women’s team looks long term. They’re serious about what they want to achieve, and they know how much work it will take to get there. The partnership between coaching staff and front office serves as an excellent example of a holistic commitment to developing talent while building community excitement.
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