UEFA Study Group Scheme Switzerland, 2 nd 5 th May GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL Per Ravn Omdal, UEFA Grassroots Ambassador
9th UEFA Grassroots Workshop Noordwijk, 11-15 April 2011 What is Grassroots Football? Per Ravn Omdal UEFA Grassroots Ambassador
The Grassroots Charter The future quality of football lies to a large extent with grassroots football National associations have already developed or, are interested in developing, national grassroots programmes Based on the grassroots programmes within the national associations, UEFA will set up the UEFA Grassroots Programme. Through its grassroots programme, UEFA wishes to promote, protect and develop grassroots football in all its forms UEFA wishes to recognise and endorse best practice in the national associations and encourage all UEFA member associations to aspire to the UEFA benchmark
Objectives of the UEFA Grassroots Programme The purpose of the UEFA Grassroots Programme is to promote, protect and develop grassroots football in all its forms Grassroots football is defined as all football that is non-professional and nonelite (The Football Pyramid)
The Football Pyramid Children s Football 5/6-11/12 Grassroots Football Youth Football 12/13-18/19 Pro Football Clubs/ National Teams Elite Youth Football Pro Academies/ National selections 12/13-20/21 Amateur Football 19/20-35/40 (Leisure/Schools/Disability) Veteran football 40 +
Target groups in the Grassroots Football Children s football (5/6 years 11/12 years) Youth football (12/13 years 18/19 years) Amateur football (19/20 years 35/40 years) Veteran football (40 +) Both sexes, male/female
Objectives of the Grassroots Football Recruit more active football players at all levels Keep more football players active within the organisation for a longer time Develop good football players Promote unity and enjoyment in the football community
Guiding principles of Grassroots Football Football for all! Open to everybody who wants to participate! We facilitate equal opportunities for boys and girls! Whatever handicap or skill, you can participate! You will have fun! Football is colour blind! Participation must come for free or cheap! Football welcomes all with a wide open door!
Growth Clear and ambitious targets for participation growth gives us the push and dynamics for hard work!
Number of players in Norway in 2003 Boys/men No of players Children under 6 2 168 Children (6-12 years) 110 399 Youth (13-19 years) 74 424 Adult (20-25 years) 21 770 Adult (26 +) 71 778 Total 280 539 Girls/women No of players Children under 6 1 143 Children (6-12 years) 38 500 Youth (13-19 years) 31 895 Adult (20-25 years) 6 305 Adult (26 +) 17 049 Total 94 892 Total number of players 375 431
Participation in Norway Number of players 375,431 Population 4.5 million Players/Population 8.4 %
Why is maximum participation important? We make more individuals happy by letting them play football We participate in building more positive communities; child school home We bring families together Grassroots gives football positive political recognition Politicians appreciate the social function of football Football really brings races, sexes, unorganized people together We establish life long friendship among people
Why is maximum participation important? Many players opens for more players to become skilled Many players gives us more coaches, referees and volunteers Many active players gives us loyal attendance at professional matches Players and parents watch football on TV Sponsors are increasingly interested commercially in grassroots
Our business is local If there is 2 houses or more in a local community, it is our duty to facilitate and organize football!
Flexibility Boys 14 years Club Fossum 1 team of 11 (squad 16 players) - trains 5 times per week 1 team of 11 (squad 16 players) - trains 2 times per week 1 team of 7 (squad 10 players) - trains 1 time per week 1 team of 5 (squad 7 players) - plays indoor 4 teams - 49 players - in club Fossum
Flexibility The activity is more important than rules and regulations The activity is more important than the quality of the playing field The children s game is for them, - not for parents who want to win It is never too many players in a group you find a solution
Flexibility Key question: Are you prepared to deny 8 girls in a small community to participate in football because they cannot field 11 players?
Flexibility The local League Girls 14 years 8 teams of 11 players 2 teams of 7 players All together 10 teams All participate on equal basis All matches count in the table When the 2 team of 7 play against teams of 11, they play 7 vs. 7
Flexibility 11 Åmot 7 11 11 Fåvang 7 11 11 1 regional football association 11 11 11 Indre Østland FA
Flexibility - Team Format 11 vs. 11 7 vs. 7 5 vs. 5 3 vs. 3
Argue the need for pitches based on facts Number of clubs in the region or community Number of teams Number of participants Number of teams for disabled Number of festivals, tournaments, cups Number of education activities Number of referees Number of active players based on age, sex, location
Facilities The mini-pitches
Facilities The artificial turf
Success criteria Grassroots Football Children up to 11/12 years Open up and stimulate maximum participation in the bottom of the pyramid the children Focus fun and friendship around the ball Small sided games Avoid any temptation of performance pressure Develop any pitch opportunity in the neighbourhood Walking distance from children s home to training and playing games Bring parents and volunteers in as early as possible
Success criteria Grassroots Football Youth Football Develop a diversified training and competition structure based on individuals needs, ambition and skills
1. Elite Youth Football (12/13 20/21 years) The competitive group aiming at professional football Training 5-10 times a week Competitive regional leagues, 11 vs. 11 Regional and national selections Highest possible coaching quality
2. Youth football (12/13 18/19 years) Training 2-4 times a week Local leagues, 11vs. 11, 7 vs. 7 Less coaching quality demanded
3. Youth football fun and leisure Training once a week Local leagues, primarily 7 vs. 7, 5 vs. 5 Organizing coaching and matches themselves or with parents
Amateur football (19/20 35/40 years) Clubs gives opportunity for all! Develop diversified match programme and different activities! Keep the amateur game local!
Focus grassroots as driving force to develop the total football concept Implement grassroots football in the targets and strategy of UEFA Implement grassroots football in the targets and strategy of football associations Implement grassroots football in the laws and regulations Football associations presidents must authorize and support grassroots football Strong presence by FA key people at grassroots events Intensive dialogue with politicians at local, regional and national level to obtain funding and support for grassroots football
A bright future! We negotiated agreements with the EU on the international transfer system and the collective sales of Champions League rights, because UEFA and the member countries could prove that income from the top professional game was used to stimulate grassroots football Let us strengthen this solidarity programme also in the future!
9th UEFA Grassroots Workshop Noordwijk, 11-15 April 2011 What is Grassroots Football? Per Ravn Omdal UEFA Vice President