Adelaide United’s partnership with Dutch football giants PSV Eindhoven took a significant step forward as key representatives from PSV spent two weeks in Adelaide, engaging with the broader South Australian football community.
The visit, led by Joost de Wit (International Partnership Manager), Bob Willems (Performance Behaviour Specialist), and Mitch van Gellekom (Manager, Soccer School and Coaching Academy), was designed to strengthen collaboration between the two clubs while also providing value to the entire South Australian football ecosystem.
Image: Mitch van Gellekom and Adelaide United Community Programs Manager Ruben Garcia Byrne with students from St. Paul’s College
During their stay, PSV representatives attended multiple Adelaide United training sessions, worked closely with staff across various departments, and contributed to crucial development programs. The trip featured coaching conferences co-hosted with Football South Australia, workshops with young players, and mentorship opportunities for local coaches.
Reflecting on the visit, Mitch van Gellekom highlighted the positive strides made in the partnership:
“PSV is happy to be in Adelaide and take the next step in our partnership with Adelaide United. During the last two weeks, we’ve had the chance to work closely together with all the staff, share our knowledge and resources with them, and co-host coaching conferences for the local community together with the FSA. Overall, a very good next step within our partnership that offers us even more insights into Adelaide’s day-to-day operations.”
Image: Football SA | Mitch van Gellekom delivering a talk at ServiceFM Stadium, Gepps Cross
The PSV delegation was actively involved in a range of initiatives, including supporting coaching staff development within the Club, strategy discussions with Football SA, and a series of community engagements at local schools such as St Paul’s College, Cardijn College, and Woodville High School. They also met with key stakeholders such as Port Adelaide Football Club and Flinders University to explore further opportunities for knowledge exchange.
Adelaide United CEO Nathan Kosmina praised the ongoing collaboration and its impact on South Australian football as a whole:
“The partnership is blossoming, and it’s great to have PSV here in Adelaide. It’s really important for the Club that PSV engages with the SA football community, not just with Adelaide United. We thank Joost, Bob, and Mitch for their time, and we look forward to growing this partnership over the coming years.”
Image: Left to right – Mitch van Gellekom, Bob Willems, Ernest Faber & Joost de Wit
The visit concluded with PSV representatives attending key A-League Men’s and Women’s fixtures, witnessing firsthand the passion and talent in South Australian football. With continued collaboration between Adelaide United and PSV Eindhoven, the future looks bright for football development in the region, ensuring benefits for grassroots clubs, young players, and aspiring coaches across South Australia.
