Family-oriented, warm, and full of history:
Klosterpforte as a home of champions
What do Gerhard Schröder, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik Zabel, Herbert Grönemeyer, Helene Fischer, and Dina Orschmann have in common? The answer: They have all been guests at the Hotel-Residence Klosterpforte. Since yesterday, the professional women’s team of 1. FC Union Berlin has been preparing for their upcoming tasks in the green expanse of East Westphalia.
Optimal conditions for a well-rounded day program
The 180,000 square meter area offers everything an athlete's heart desires: top-class training facilities, recovery options, the "Fitnessscheune," a barn converted into a gym, and plenty of green space for walks, relaxation, and good conversations. Today, two training sessions were on the agenda. In the morning, there was ball work on the pitch, while in the afternoon, strength training with the two athletic trainers took place. After dinner, there was another program point: to consciously focus on what makes the difference off the pitch: sports psychology and mental training.
Organization, Planning, Location Choice – This is how a training camp really goes
When the team goes to the training camp, fitness, tactics, and team spirit are the focus. But for everything to run smoothly, much more than training plans is needed. Months beforehand, team manager Viktoria Tänzer begins the organization: the choice of the suitable location, clarification of logistics, rooms, catering, training grounds, and equipment – all this must be coordinated early so that the team can fully concentrate on football on-site.
Why Klosterpforte?
For the current training camp, the choice fell on Hotel-Residence Klosterpforte – a place that impresses with its combination of experience, infrastructure, and tranquility. Perfect pitches and dedicated as well as experienced staff ensure that both sporting and organizational requirements are met.
The Behind-the-Scenes Look: Challenges for the Team Leader
Despite all preparations, the first phase on-site often remains challenging. Processes that are taken for granted at home must be adjusted anew. “Viki” is the central interface in this regard. Her goal: to create optimal conditions, respond quickly, and ensure that the training camp is not only a sporting success but also an organizational success. “The implementation here on-site should be as simple and compact as possible to adhere to the daily routines as planned,” adds the team leader.
Football is part of the DNA of this establishment – Short distances, strong infrastructure
In a training camp, not only sunshine and pleasant temperatures matter. The local conditions also play a crucial role.
“The short distances on the premises, the versatile and healthy cuisine, as well as the multifunctional rooms, whether hotel rooms, offices for the coaching and media teams, and equipped treatment rooms. This convinced us immediately during the initial inspection,” explains Jennifer Zietz, Managing Director of Women’s Professional Football, regarding the decision for the training camp at Klosterpforte – the same location that also served as the headquarters for the Portuguese national team before the EM 2024.
Another advantage: the unique feature of the location. The two pitches are exclusively available to the team – ideal conditions for focused work. This setup is complemented by a sauna and an ice bath directly on the premises, creating optimal conditions for regeneration.
Since it was determined early on that the preparation would take place in Germany, the short travel distance also played a role in the selection. “The opportunity to complement the training camp with a Friendly rounds out the overall package,” says Zietz.
Quote of the Day: “I don't have a nut allergy, but whenever I eat a lot of nuts, it scratches my throat and I have to cough” - Judith Steinert at lunch.
Overview of the diary entries: