Homestays Emerge as Ideal Basecamp for Garut U-18 Women's Team During HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 Competition
Kudus – In a modest homestay in the Rendeng area of Kudus, the tournament atmosphere does not end when the whistle blows. After competing on the field, these young female soccer players return to their lodgings to share stories, wash clothes together, tidy their rooms, and unwind before preparing for their next match. For them, the accommodation has gradually become a safe and comforting refuge, much like being home.
This warmth is the untold story behind the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026. Amidst the intense competition at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, local residents have played a vital role in creating a supportive environment for the young athletes, offering not only accommodation but also genuine hospitality and care.
The HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 features 16 teams in the U-15 and U-18 categories from across Indonesia. The tournament is being held at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus from July 5 to July 12, 2026. As of Wednesday (July 8, 2026), teams are in the midst of physically and mentally demanding group stage matches. During this packed schedule, resting has become crucial for maintaining the players' physical and mental fitness.
For Nazwa Bilbina Putri, a Garut U-18 player from Sumedang who is also part of the Garuda Pertiwi Muda squad (Indonesia U-16/U-17 national team), the experience in Kudus has left a lasting impression.
She noted that the local hospitality and comfortable lodgings have made post-match recovery much easier. "The people here are very friendly, and the rest is very comfortable," Nazwa said during a break on Wednesday (July 8, 2026).
During her time in Kudus, Nazwa has formed a close relationship with the homestay staff. The warm welcome they received from the first day has made her and her teammates feel truly at home.
That attention to detail, according to Nazwa, extends to simple tasks. She recalled an instance when the water pressure in their accommodation dropped, but after speaking with the homestay owner, the issue was resolved immediately.
Beyond the agenda of training and matches, the players' daily routines are filled with simple activities that strengthen their bond. Following briefings with their coaches, they share chores like washing clothes, cleaning their rooms, and maintaining their living space throughout the tournament.
"If there is a chance to return to Kudus, the warmth and comfort here are what I would look forward to most. The people are incredibly kind. If I had to rate this homestay, I would give it an 8 out of 10," said Nazwa.
Putri Garut U-18 goalkeeper Alwiwie Sunanto shared similar sentiments. For her, the sense of family fostered by the local community and the homestay owner provided a significant morale boost during the demanding tournament schedule.
Alwiwie noted that the bond formed in Kudus went beyond the traditional relationship between guests and a host. She felt the team was treated like family. "We were welcomed warmly by the locals. The homestay is comfortable and the owner is very kind. The hospitality is genuine, and we were treated like their own children, making us feel right at home," she said.
This care was even more evident when players felt unwell or sustained minor injuries after a match. Alwiwie explained that the owner would immediately check on them and offer assistance. "If someone was injured, they would immediately ask what happened and what medicine was needed. If there were issues like power or water outages, they were fixed incredibly quickly," she added.
The Putri Garut U-18 squad experienced this hospitality while staying at Aldimart Homestay, located at Jalan Cendana No.594, Rendeng, Kudus City. This is where owner Susi Susilawati manages the property, prioritizing the comfort of all guests, including athletes competing in the tournament.
Located at Jalan Cendana No.594, Rendeng, Kudus City, Aldimart Homestay offers relatively affordable rates. Prices typically range from IDR 150,000 to IDR 300,000 per night, depending on room type, facilities, and the booking platform. Guests also receive standard amenities including air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi access, and private parking.
For Susi, comfort is a priority for athletes who expend significant energy on the field. She provides an open space adjacent to the building for the team to use for warm-ups or light training before heading to the Supersoccer Arena Kudus.
This attentiveness stems from her personal background. As the wife of a military officer and a former volleyball and tennis athlete, Susi understands the challenges of living away from home while participating in tournaments.
“Seeing these youngsters reminds me of my own past. I was once sent away for 20 days for a similar match in Medan. The only difference is that while we stayed in army barracks back then, there are more comfortable homestays available now. Having experienced exactly what they are going through—staying in a stranger's home to compete—I fully support them. I even go to the stadium to cheer them on because I want to show my support,” Susi explained.
Hosting athletes is not new to her. During the 2025 PON Martial Arts event at GOR Djarum Arena Kaliputu, Aldimart Homestay accommodated a contingent of martial artists from Serang, Banten, for five days. After the tournament, the athletes returned home with gold and silver medals, even joking that the comfort of the homestay brought them luck.
Amid the busy schedule of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, Susi also strives to create a relaxed atmosphere for the players. She provides karaoke facilities to give the athletes a space to unwind after training or matches.
According to Susi, players often arrive asking, “Ma'am, can we sing karaoke?” That simple question is part of the rapport that develops while they stay with her. She makes an effort to get to know each player, remember their names, and engage them in conversation to make them feel at home.
Currently, Aldimart Homestay features five rooms, which can accommodate groups of about 25 athletes. Although capacity remains limited, Susi has plans to expand the facility in the future.
“God willing, I plan to build more rooms on this side. My hope is that when they leave, they will remember this not just as an ordinary place to stay, but as their own home in Kudus. So, if there is another tournament in the future, they will not hesitate to return,” she said.
The stories that emerge during the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 show that a tournament brings more than just competition to the field. Behind every match, there are simple spaces where athletes recover, share stories, and build bonds with the local community.
The presence of a national-scale sporting event also impacts the accommodation sector near the competition arenas. Hotels, homestays, rental properties, food stalls, and transport providers all see increased activity throughout the tournament.
Through the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, supported by the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation, the athletic activity extends well beyond the stadium, benefiting the surrounding community. Furthermore, the warmth of Kudus residents becomes an experience that athletes take home, completing their memories of competing in this city. (JMY/DN/mainkekudus)