Werder Bremen’s Dominik Kupilas: ‘South Africa has good women’s players’ as Bundesliga club eyes global opportunities

As women’s football continues to grow across the globe, German Bundesliga club Werder Bremen is looking beyond its traditional borders to identify opportunities to strengthen the women’s game and build connections with emerging football markets.

Speaking exclusively to Basadi in Action, Werder Bremen’s Head of Women’s Football & Internationalization, Dominik Kupilas, discussed the club’s ambitions for the new season, its approach to player recruitment, the importance of developing a strong football ecosystem and the potential for South African players to one day find a pathway to Bremen.

Kupilas has been part of Werder Bremen for more than a decade, having worked in different positions within the club. For him, the connection goes beyond football.

“It’s a special club. It’s not like any other club because it’s not only about playing football, but we are a club with a huge social approach which gives me a lot of purpose when I come to work.”

Kupilas acknowledges that the competition is becoming increasingly demanding as more clubs invest heavily in their women’s teams.

“We have different targets that we want to reach,” he explains. “It’s not easy to just specify one goal. It’s a hard competition coming up in the Bundesliga season because there are a lot of clubs coming strong and giving a lot into women’s football, which is great from every single angle, but it’s a hard competition.”

On the field, the club wants to improve the way it plays, continue developing its players and take the next steps competitively. Off the field, it wants to identify new commercial revenue streams and build an ecosystem that can support sustainable success.

Winning the league would naturally be welcomed, but Kupilas says the club's definition of success is broader.

“To be the first at the end of the season would be great, but it’s just really realistic. We have clubs like Bayern Munich who are also playing with us. It’s hard competition.”

Instead, Bremen is focused on creating an environment capable of producing sustained success.

“For us, success is not only in the position on the table at the end, but more on the ecosystem where players can develop and to create a surrounding where we are able to be successful in the next coming years.”

That means investment is required throughout the organisation — from the academy and scouting structures to the quality of coaching and support staff.

“We have to invest in the academy, as well as scouts, staff quality and everyone,” Kupilas says.

Equality must extend beyond Women’s Month

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, Kupilas believes the conversation around equality and the visibility of women’s football should not be confined to August.

For the Werder Bremen executive, one of the ultimate ambitions is to reach a point where there is no need to differentiate between men’s and women’s football when discussing the value of the sport.

“Firstly, I hope we get to a point one day where we don’t have to distinguish between women and men’s football terms, so both are very equal in life. This is a huge goal we want to challenge and achieve.”

He added: “Women’s football should not be visible only in Women’s Month but all year round.” 

Clubs have an important role to play in making that happen by creating visibility for female players, coaches and staff members while providing opportunities for them to develop their careers.

“As a football club, we have the opportunity to take part in that by bringing visibility in women’s football, players as well as coaches and staff members. To give them opportunities to rise and achieve equality between men and women.”

His comments come at an important time for South African football, where the growth of the women’s game has created more opportunities for players but also highlighted the need for continued investment, development structures and international pathways.

Could South African players find a pathway to Bremen?

Werder Bremen has already begun broadening its recruitment horizons. Kupilas reveals that the club's previous international recruitment experience has opened the door to exploring talent outside Germany and Europe.

“Last summer it was the first international window where we brought international players to our squad. We have a player from Japan for the first time and players from other European countries as well. It’s definitely a way we can go.”

Could South Africa eventually become part of that recruitment strategy?

“I cannot tell you if it’s short or long term, but we know about the potential that South Africa has. They have good women’s players, but there’s a long way to go.”

One of the areas that particularly interests Kupilas is the disparity in access to football opportunities between different parts of South Africa.

“I feel like South Africa has a good women’s football ecosystem, but there is a gap between the areas around the townships and rural areas, and maybe Bremen can play a part in closing that gap.”