University Challenge UEFA Youth League 2015/16 Finals week
Table of Contents 1. THE UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE... 3 2. FINALS WEEK... 4 2.1 2013/14 season... 4 2.2 2014/15 season... 4 2.3 2015/16 season... 5 2.4 Sporting parameters... 5 2.5 Dates and kick-off times... 6 3. THE UYL UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE... 6 3.1 Scope... 6 3.2 Challenge... 6 3.3 Registration process... 7 3.4 Project selection and implementation... 7 3.5 Evaluation criteria... 8 3.6 External constraints... 8 3.7 Operational budget... 8 3.8 Deliverables... 9 3.9 Timetable... 9 4. Visuals from the 2014 and 2015 editions... 10 5. Contact details... 12 2
1. THE UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE After several years of analysis and discussion, the UEFA Youth League (UYL) was launched for a twoyear test phase in 2013/14 and 2014/15, in which the 32 Under-19 teams of the clubs in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League participated. After the great success of the competition and the positive feedback received from the clubs and national associations, the UEFA Youth League has been expanded for its third season, as the Under-19 teams of the UEFA Champions League entrants will be joined by the domestic youth champions of the 32 best-ranked associations in the UEFA association coefficient rankings (http://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/index.html). This exciting new competition has one major objective to give young players across Europe the opportunity to gain valuable experience of international competition, thereby bridging the gap between youth and first-team football. It is all about development. As well as having the opportunity to develop their skills in an international club competition, the young players benefit from travelling abroad and experiencing different environments and cultures. As a European club competition, the UEFA Youth League sets out to be a reference in promoting youth football and encouraging the development of young footballers, and this guides every aspect of the competition. The following attributes of the UEFA Youth League serve and guide every aspect of the competition: Providing competitive international experience at club level. Bridging the gap between clubs youth and senior teams. Complementing clubs youth training programmes. Cutting the costs of transfers and first-team salaries. 3
2. FINALS WEEK 2.1 2013/14 season The competition culminated in a spectacular finals week at Colovray stadium in Nyon, just a misplaced shot away from UEFA's headquarters, on the banks of Lake Geneva. The two semi-finals and the final produced eight goals, four penalties, one red card, a goal from the halfway line in the closing minutes of the decider and worthy champions FC Barcelona. The fixtures were watched by 12,000 people at the stadium and many thousands more on Eurosport. In the last week there was a Schools Challenge. The idea was to give an opportunity to four schools in the region to develop a project for the semi-finals and final. The aim of the project was for 50 pupils aged 12 to 16 from each school to bring a festive and colourful atmosphere to the event by supporting a team that was assigned to them. A budget to cover the costs and enable the pupils to learn about budgeting was allocated to the teams and an award of sport equipment was given to the schools that best fulfilled the objective. Due to high demand we had six schools participating and adopting a semi-finalist team, which created a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. 2.2 2014/15 season Perfect weather combined with a specially treated pitch led to some wonderful football. The last week of the UEFA Youth League was a real showcase for the standard of European youth football. Chelsea FC emerged as the overall winners of the second edition. 4
The local football community and fans came out to support the players, with the stadium full for all three games. Instead of the Schools Challenge, UEFA organised a University Challenge, where six universities competed to lead a project with the objective of suggesting activities to enhance the festive atmosphere in the stadium and its surroundings. 2.3 2015/16 season After two successful first years, the UEFA Youth League will be back in Nyon on 15 and 18 April 2016 for its final four. The objectives of the finals week are: to fill the stadium and provide a positive and friendly atmosphere for the matches, with the involvement of young people; to be in line with the competition s aim of providing experience and an opportunity for learning; and to get local children involved in the event to enhance the atmosphere in the stands. 2.4 Sporting parameters The semi-finals and final are played under the knockout system, on a single leg basis at a neutral venue (Colovray stadium). No extra time is played if the score is a draw at the end of normal playing time. Kicks from the penalty mark determine the winning team. 5
2.5 Dates and kick-off times 15 April 2016 Semi-final 1, kick-off time tbc Semi-final 2, kick-off time tbc 18 April 2016 Final, kick-off time tbc 3. THE UYL UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE 3.1 Scope For the second year, UEFA is organising a university challenge to extend the UEFA Youth League development values to students involved in management programmes, giving them the unique opportunity to express their creativity and to apply their knowledge and skills to the finals week of the 2015/16 UEFA Youth League a real international football event with a global audience. 3.2 Challenge UEFA is asking groups of students to draw up and present a concept in which they put forward their ideas for improving the general atmosphere at a UEFA Youth League match, by bringing together all the elements of a youth event and enhancing spectators enjoyment in pursuit of a common goal a festive atmosphere. For the second edition of the UYL University Challenge, projects presented by the universities must focus on the involvement of children from schools and/or youth associations (such as sports clubs or music or dance schools) in the Nyon area. Projects must describe how many classes/groups of children would be involved and what activities the children would be part of. Each project must aim to enhance the atmosphere in the stadium: before kick-off* (from at least 30 minutes before kick-off), during the match, and at half-time, *Please note that UEFA will organise an opening ceremony prior to the final. The projects submitted should not interfere with this. Please also note that access to the pitch is forbidden at all times. 6
3.3 Registration process UEFA has contacted several universities based in Switzerland, most of which offer specialised programmes in management. Each university is invited to enter one group of students to compete in the challenge and must designate one university representative (a member of university staff), who will sign the declaration to UEFA acknowledging that the students will represent the university in this challenge and that the university s involvement in the challenge will be fully delegated to them. Each student group must comprise at least five students. Each student must currently be involved in a sport or event management programme at the university or have graduated from one of these programmes in 2015. Each group must designate one project leader, one deputy project leader and one bookkeeper. These three students will be considered as the representatives of the group. Moreover, all students involved in the challenge (whether current students or graduates) must read and sign the Declaration to UEFA Students document. When the applicants receive this document and the accompanying documents, they must complete and return the enclosed acknowledgment form by email by 25 September 2015, to confirm whether or not they intend to submit a project and, if so, to designate their three group representatives. Each group of students must also submit a signed, electronic copy of the application form in English, German or French to Alexandra Doncila (Alexandra.Doncila@uefa.ch) by 30 October 2015. This application form must be signed by the three group representatives and the university representative. 3.4 Project selection and implementation UEFA will review all the projects that students present, with a view to selecting one for implementation. If a project is judged interesting and feasible it will be shortlisted and the three group representatives will be invited to give a formal, face-to-face, 15 to 20-minute presentation of their proposal to UEFA at UEFA s offices in Nyon, Switzerland, on 25 November 2015. This presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Please note that UEFA reserves the right not to select any projects should the quality and/or feasibility of the submissions be considered insufficient or not in line with UEFA s expectations. UEFA expects that with the support of the university the classmates of the winning group of students will then join them in implementing their proposal. In particular, the winning group will be in charge of contacting the relevant local schools and youth associations and dealing with all aspects of their participation in the UEFA Youth League final week. 7
Therefore, all candidate groups should commit to: - being represented by at least three students during the group presentations (the last step of the selection process) at UEFA s offices on 25 November 2015; - implementing their winning project, taking into account UEFA s feedback, and, in particular, taking charge of dealing with the local schools and youth associations that will take part; and - being available all day on 15 and 18 April 2016 for the implementation of their project in Nyon ideally with the support of their whole class. 3.5 Evaluation criteria When assessing the submitted proposals, the UEFA administration will especially take into account the following elements: creativeness and uniqueness of ideas, commitment to implementing and coordinating the project, involvement of primary and secondary school classes and youth associations from the area as a central element of the proposal, involvement of the public, use of the budget (detailed, accurate budget forecast), understanding of the requirements, project approach linked with the competition philosophy. 3.6 External constraints When writing their proposal, applicants should notably take into account the following elements: weather conditions, involvement of the public (necessary for the success of the project), sporting parameters (no impact on pitch or players allowed), the existing security system (i.e. the list of items prohibited in the stadium), no interference with protocol, the opening ceremony or the trophy ceremony. 3.7 Operational budget UEFA will provide 6,000 for the implementation of the winning project. In addition, UEFA will cover the following: Transport to UEFA s offices in Nyon for three to five students invited to present their proposal (the final stage of the selection process) on 25 November 2015. Transport to UEFA s offices for all students of the winning class on 15 and 18 April 2016 (a bus will be organised from the university to Nyon). 8
Tickets for the matches on 15 and 18 April 2016 for all students in a class that has taken part in the UYL University Challenge. All other expenses must be included in the budget. The members of the winning group will also receive a prize from UEFA, but the main reward of the UYL University Challenge should remain the unique opportunity to actively contribute to the implementation and success of an international event dedicated to young people. 3.8 Deliverables The bullet points below summarise the main deliverables required by UEFA as part of the UYL University Challenge. The groups of students will be evaluated based on the following documents presented in their respective proposals: Acknowledgement form Application form, containing: o Team description (max. 1 page) o Project description (max. 4 pages) o List of schools and/or youth associations in the Nyon region that could take part in the UEFA Youth League finals week, with their contact details (max. 2 pages) o Risk analysis (max. 1 page) o Budget (max. 1 page) o Students contact details o University representative s contact details o Annexes if deemed necessary by the group Student declaration form (submitted with the application form) University declaration form (submitted with the application form) 3.9 Timetable 25 September 2015 Universities express interest to UEFA (acknowledgement form sent to Alexandra Doncila) 30 October 2015 Universities submit projects to UEFA (application form and declarations sent to Alexandra Doncila) 6 November 2015 UEFA preselects projects 25 November 2015 Universities present projects at UEFA HQ 27 November 2015 UEFA announces the winner 9
4. Visuals from the 2014 and 2015 editions Youth Plaza and University Challenge 2015 10
The arrow on the picture below is pointing to the grass area opposite the stands in Colovray stadium, where many spectators like to be to cheer for their teams. This area is visible on camera and is broadcast on TV. UEFA Youth League final 2015 11
UEFA Youth League final 2014 Schools Challenge 5. Contact details Alexandra Doncila, Alexandra.Doncila@uefa.ch, +41 22 707 2797 12