Icelandic Football Icelandic Football Coaching Association Icelandic FA
Introduction Theodór Sveinjónsson UEFA. A.licence Sigurður Þorsteinsson UEFA. A.licence Halldór Halldórsson UEFA. A.licence
Our journey started HERE And it started with THEM Going to the Euro s 2009 And their is not over yet
Facts and figures Population of Iceland January 1st 2017: 335.000 (7th smallest of 55 UEFA countries) Registered players: 23.571 (6.8%) Males: 16.202 (69%) Females: 7.369 (31%) Number of clubs: 90 (47) Number of coaches: 800
Facts and figures Iceland men s Team 21st FIFA / 14th UEFA Iceland women s Team 21th FIFA / 12th UEFA Senior football Semi professional Main season 5 months Other season 4 months 75 professional players abroad 20 youth players in Academies (England/Holland)
Equality All clubs are amateur/grassroots Open door policy All clubs have trainings for both genders The same amount of training sessions for both genders Equally qualified coaches for both genders The same fee for playing football for both gender Around 700 Euros per year for 12 year old Not necessary to move to a bigger club Short distances to training sessions
Tournament Football U6-U10 5v5 U11-U12 8v8 ( Since fall 2016 ) U13-and above 11v11 Every tournament teams divided after ability (A, B, C, D-teams) Players divided into teams after ability
Tournament Football Grassroot football (U4-U12) Two age-groups together Mai-August - summer tournaments September-April, winter tournaments
Tournament Football Youth football (U13-U16) Two age-groups together June-August, Icelandic championship September-April, winter tournaments
Tournament Football Senior and U19 Longest pre-season in the world -6 months Winter tournaments from January Training camp abroad in March/April The shortest football season in the world May 1st - September 30th
Coaches All coaches are professional and qualified No volunteer or parent coaches Municipalities build and own the facilities Training fee pays the salary All kids get qualified coach from day one
Coaches UEFA A licenced coaches are 230 / 208 men 22 woman UEFA B licensed coaches are 461 / 421 men 40 woman UEFA Pro licensed coaches are 17 / All men UEFA A licensed Goalkeeping coaches 6 / All men UEFA Elite A Youth licenced 14 / 12 men 2 woman
Training Age Start group young Training per week 4-6 1-2x 7-10 3-4 11-14 4 15-19 4-6 Senior 5-8 Additional training We have physical education teachers teaching sports at school 2x per week (age 6-16) All children must learn how to swim 1x per week (age 6-16) Another sport gymnastics, athletics, handball, basketball, golf.
Ability based grouping All clubs have ability based grouping in training and in matches. Players train and play together against teams of similar ability Big wins and big losses are less frequent Parents need to be educated on the system Best players play with age groups above and girls with boys.
The secret of Iceland Success
Facilities Improved winter facilities 7 full size football halls 5 smaller football halls 23 football turf pitches 130 mini pitches Football became whole year sport around 2000
Grindavík s football facilities Grindavík Premier league club in Iceland Total population of Grindavík: 2.697 Stadium seating capacity: 1.750 They also have a 60x80m football hall.
Mentality Ambition - Adjustability HARD WORKING
The Mentality We do not only want to compete against the best WE BELIEVE WE CAN BEAT THEM
The Mentality WE VALUE Character NEVER GIVE UP! Physical Strength Stick together Team Spirit Team players
Henning Berg former head coach at Lyn and Lillestrøm "The mental attitude is the first thing you notice in Icelandic players. They are always giving their best effort, they work hard in training and they are mentally strong. They handle the pressure and act as true professionals"
Ole Gunnar Solskjær manager of Molde You have to be proud of the players coming from Iceland. You can see the attitude, they are so hard working and so fantastic people. So for us in Norway is has to be a wake up call and it s time to roll up our sleev s, because it s not all about enjoy, it is hard work"
Success in France Golden generation Experienced coach Style of play Reputation Attitude and team spirit Role Clarity
Conclusion The Icelandic way in player development. Amateur football Equality, simular service from all clubs Coaching Paid and qualified coaches from day one Facilities paid by municipalities, the clubs run them Training two sports, ability based training Mentality Hard Working
Iceland WINS Everyone Goes Nuts
National Program U13 Elite training 2x per season, Regional Tournament weekend in September with 40-50 players U14 Elite training 2x per season, Regional Tournament weekend in August with 40-50 players U15 2 selections(november/january) Regional Tournament weekend in August with 64 players
National Program U16 6 weekends during the winter UEFA friendly tournament (3 matches) Nordic Championsship (4 matches) U17 6 weekends during the winter 1 weekend in July(middle of the season) European Qualifycation round (3 matches) Elite rounds (3 matches)
National Program U19 6 weekends during the winter 2 friendly games in September U23 2-3 training weekends 1 friendly European Qualification round (3 matches) Elite round (3 matches)
National Program men s U21 2-3 weekends during the winter Qualifying group Finals 2011, playoffs 2015
THE ICELANDIC VIKING CLAP
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