- Austrian player union Vereinigung der Fussballer (VdF) revamped training camp for out-of-contract players
- VdF organises four local training centres to better support their members
- Training is available for players with and without a contract
Each year around 30 FIFPRO member unions organise training camps for out-of-contract players to help them prepare for the upcoming season in a professional team environment.
In the players’ quest to find a new contract, these camps provide them with the opportunity to get match fit and showcase their abilities to potential new clubs during friendly matches. For 12 years, Austrian player union Vereinigung der Fussballer (VdF) organised an annual six-week camp, but this year they decided to alter their approach after feedback from members.
"Our player council suggested that we opened more locations and allowed the camp to be for all interested members, and not only for players without a contract," said VdF Chairman Gernot Baumgartner about the new project called VdF Coaching.
The disadvantage of having a camp in one location is that it requires some players to travel for hours and/or stay for multiple days at the training base. Now, the VdF has arranged a site in every direction: north (Salzburg), east (Vienna), west (Vorarlberg) and south (Graz).
"A car drive from Vorarlberg to Vienna can take up to seven hours," Baumgartner explains. "For players, the current set-up is much more practical and comfortable. Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday they have a training session, and after each practice they can go home again to their families. Another benefit is that our union does not have to spend a lot of money to accommodate players all those weeks."
Another change is that all members are allowed to train at the camp. "Of course, the players who are looking for a new club are still welcome to join the practice sessions. But we also decided to welcome players who already have a club and want to stay in shape or prepare themselves for pre-season with their clubs to the camp."
The new approach seems to be working well. The VdF launched their training centres on 17 June and until now 49 players have participated. About half of the players were looking for a contract, while the others were using it to get ready for the new season.
Baumgartner said: "Our new training centres are a huge benefit for all VdF members. On the one hand, we support the players without a club, and on the other, we can also offer additional training to those who want to improve.
"Having those players around has a couple of benefits. Firstly, we have more players at each location, which makes it easier to arrange practice forms, and secondly, their presence is an extra motivation for the other players."
'This training camp is perfect for me'
One of the players who used the camp to get in shape before returning to his club was Yusuf Demir, a forward for reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray. He spent several weeks at the centre in Vienna.
Another prominent player is David Affengruber, who spent the last three seasons at Sturm Graz. The 23-year-old central defender didn’t want to sign a new contract with the club that won last season’s Austrian championship and cup, as he is looking for a new club in Germany, Italy or Spain. "This training camp is perfect for me to keep in shape here close to my home. It has an excellent coach in Rene Aufhauser, a former national team player."
Aufhauser is one of six experienced coaches who are involved at all four sites, and there is a sports psychologist as well. The camps will officially run for ten weeks until 30 August. "And we are considering continuing with them if we still have enough players around who want to keep on training," said project manager Oliver Prudlo.
"Players without a club are in a difficult situation. For these players it is very important to have the opportunity to train with us, but they should not feel this is compulsory for them. For all other members and especially for young players, it is a great way to improve individually."
