Alkmaar – CTS GROUP is extending its head partnership with the AZ Youth Academy as an Academy Partner for another two years. Until mid-2027, all youth teams, from Jong AZ to AZ Under-11, will play with the CTS GROUP logo on their shirts. This highlights CTS GROUP’s role as an active and engaged partner in the development of young football talent.

The collaboration between CTS GROUP and AZ began in 2018, when the company became an Official Partner. In 2021, the partnership was expanded to cover the entire youth academy. Both parties valued this collaboration highly, leading to the new extension.

Talent Development as a shared value

Edwin Beentjes, CEO of CTS GROUP: “We have experienced the previous expansion of our collaboration with AZ as very valuable. Elements on which AZ has built its successful youth academy are partially applied within our own operations, using their knowledge and expertise. This allows our employees to make the most of their talent. We look forward to further developing this aspect through the new extension.”

Commitment and collaboration

“In my first period as General Director of AZ, I experienced CTS GROUP as an extremely pleasant partner,” says Merijn Zeeman, General Director of AZ. “In April, we travelled together to Nyon to support our Under-19 team in the UEFA Youth League semifinals. That characterizes CTS GROUP: close, engaged, and ambitious.”

Looking ahead

With the renewed contract, CTS GROUP aims to continue investing in sustainable collaboration in the coming years, both with AZ and within its own organization. The parallels between top-level sports and logistics, such as continuous improvement, teamwork, and talent development, form the foundation of this partnership. Michael Koster, Commercial Director of AZ, emphasizes: “The mutual development of both AZ youth players and CTS staff remains a key focus of this partnership. The monthly ‘CTS GROUP Player of the Month’ award within our youth academy is a great example. As organizations, we can continue to learn from each other, as CTS GROUP, like AZ, is continuously developing. We look forward to continuing this in the coming period.”