MEMORIES FROM OSLO (4)

The last day of the course (Thursday, 11TH), began with a chat with Fernando Hierro (ex-player R. Madrid), Stig Bjornebye (Liverpool, among others) and Ioan Lupescu (Dinamo Bucharest and Borussia Moenchengladbach and current UEFA Technical Chief), moderated by journalist Graham Turner (who was a translator at Barcelona in the press conferences of Terry Venables). They talked about their beginnings as players, matches in the street with friends, the beginning in organized football (where there was only 11-a-side football and huge pitches for children like them (9-10-11 years old): the three agreed on the importance of existing formats 4v4 or 7v7 (8v8 in some places), as steps up to 11v11.Also highlighted the importance and influence of the grassroots coaches and their role as trainers/educators for youngsters.

Then, we had a review of the Discussion Groups, with the presence of the Leaders of each group and moderated by Per Omdal. There were two basic issues raised: 

1) What are the benefits of implementing the "UEFA Grasroots Charter" and how  UEFA could help increase the number of players, girls, etc. 

2) The establishment of a "Quality Club Charter "

The results were similar in all groups. Everyone said that the implementation of the Charter had been interesting and beneficial, it did raise the quality levels while establishing quality standards for all european countries.

An important point is the retention of players once they arrive to 18; here, the problem is different depending on the country, having enough influence its size. In small countries it is the case that many players leave the game for the simple fact that they have to go study to a foreign country.

It's considered important the introduction of the Charter for Clubs (in fact, some Federations have already done it) but, again, there are differences between large and small countries. When the country is more professional, easier to establish a Charter. It was also quite clear that they must be Professional Clubs who should be in front of these implementations. 

After a short break, Frank Castillo (New Zealand) and Martin Roberts (Australia), spoke of the social programs that are made outside Europe, in this case, the Pacific area, where discrimination against women and the disabled is high (the disabled are seen as "sick"). They want to have more disabled players and coaches, so people will have a different view of their role and function in the society. They talked about programs where, beyond football, is the idea of ​​introducing regular physical activitity and healthy eating habits. 

After lunch, they talked about "Innovative Projects in the Grassroots". Timo Hutunnen (Finland), spoke of the "Fortum Tutor" (Fortum is a sponsor), which has created a kind of consulting to offer support for Clubs and Coaches. The sponsor pays 80% of the wages of these tutors and clubs the other 20%. Each "Tutor" meets their "coaches" 3-4 times a year. Needless to say that "on-line" platforms for all these projects is very high.

Steen Jorgensen (Denmark) said that in his country there is a similar project, called "Project Consultants" with the idea to support the clubs and help them, as each club is different (size, facilities, volunteers, etc..). Help is free for Clubs requesting it.

Then Ghenadie Scurtul (Technical Director of Moldova FA) explained the case in his country. They have 6 "Stars" on the Grassroots Charter, having created an appropriate structure within the Technical Department, which has served to increase the number of players, the Coach Education level, support for volunteers (a small pay, or sports equipment , etc..), increasing the number of facilities thanks to a good relationship with the government (national and regional) and obviously a promotion in all media (press, radio, TV).

The last act of the course was a chat moderated by Karen Espelund (Member of the Executive Committee of UEFA and one of the persons who has done and does more for women's football), with the participation of representatives of Norway, Montenegro, Iceland, Belarus and Malta. They talked about the importance of women's football and how to increase their participation, as there is great potential.They talked about how they started their countries, and that in general, all them are going to look for the girls at schools, organizing events, lectures, etc.

Finally, we had a review of what we have seen during the three days of the course with Frank Ludolph and Ioan Lupescu and later, we had a dinner hosted by UEFA.

This is what has been given to us in this "UEFA Grassroots Workshop". I will make one last entry explaining some curious things I've found in Norway. For some it will be known and, for others, no.

I hope all of you enjoyed this series of posts!

MEMORIES FROM OSLO (3)

The second day of the course began with the intervention of Patrick Gaser (UEFA Social Activities), who spoke of "Respect" (for example, the t-shirts exchange campaign) and the related activities (anti-racism, disabled, countries with wars, etc..). He noted the large number of activities that had been made in Poland and Ukraine during the EURO2012.

Then Mary Wilson (Northern Ireland), spoke of football as a tool for integration with the "Football for all" program, to integrate different ethnic minorities, the elimination of racism, the different cultural considerations, homeless, etc..

Sabina Huseynov and Yusif Valiyev (Azerbaijan), spoke of disability football. They began creating deaf futsal teams and, the next step is to introduce in men with brain disabilities and for women. They explained that they meet the classic problems: lack of infrastructure, sponsors, etc.

Finally, Luca Balduzzi (Switzerland), explained the social programs that are made in his country.

After a short break, they talked about the integration between Grassroots and Professional Football. The former player Bodo Menze, now Director of Grassroots at Schalke 04, spoke of the German system. He explained that, after the defeat in the EURO2000, was introduced the system of "Academies" in his country. He explained the structure (training, schools for players, etc). He recalled that players like Neuer (Bayern) or Ozil (R. Madrid), have come out of this Academy. Later, he spoke of the social type projects carried by the Club, as it is in an area with high immigration.

Tarje Jacobsen and Terje Myrseth (Molde FK), explained its structure and operation, taking into account their differences. Molde is a city of about 25,000 people and have managed to involve the entire population with the Club. Again, the role of volunteers is critical. The Board is organized so that each member is assigned a club team, to ensure the smooth exchange of information.

Finally, Hallvar Thoresen (Norway FA), introduced us to the practical session.This was developed in the Heming IL club, a multisport club; the question of the volunteers turned to see again: while the kids were trainng, some parents made coffee, tea and cakes for people who will see training (this is very typical in these countries, I've already lived in Germany when I organized a campus with a colleague).As we said earlier, possession games and the like are present in all training sessions from 7-8 years.

On return, Ottavio and Massimo Steffano Tell (Italy), explained the structure of the youth sector of the FIGC. Right now they have 3 major programs underway:- Football in schools (for children aged 8-10 years)- "Io calcium to 5" (Futsal), for people of 11-14 years (especially girls, because that is where need more quantity)- "Super class cup" of 15-19 years, with school activity league football. The classification depends on sports scores and school activity (50/50).Finally, it was said that there are activities throughout Italy, especially, as has been said, to recruit girls, as only 2% of the football players are girls/women.

The last activity of the day was the Discussion Groups, which I will talk about in the next post. Then, dinner at the Hotel and giant screen to watch Barca v PSG.

MEMORIES FROM OSLO (2)

The first day of the course (Tuesday, 9th), began with Frank Ludolph (Head of Education), explaining what we were going to see these days, from the title of the course (Nurturing The Grassroots Together - The Journey Continues). Afeter him, Ioan Lupescu (Chief Technical Officer), explained the educational priorities for 2013, which are the Futsal, the GKs and the small-sided games (SSG).
He spoke then of the goals achieved in the grassroots, from the questions "Where do we come from?, Where we are? Where we're going?", associated to the values transmitted by Grassroots, to the education, to the social aspect, etc..
Then he spoke about the Star system at the Grassroots Charter, to go to a change in criteria, establishing three categories (Gold, Silver, Bronze); this will be discussed in the Discussion Groups.
Then we proceeded to the Awards Grassroots (Grassroots Day Awards Ceremony), with the presence of the legendary Gianni Rivera, who explained his beginnig as a player on the streets of his town (like many), where there weren't cars and children spent the day playing.
Later, it was said about of all that can be done to promote grassroots football as Activities, Sponsors, Websites, festivals.
The next participant was Per Omdal (Grassroots Ambassador by UEFA), speaking of the football pyramid, with the Grassroots (children, youth, amateurs, veterans, etc.), in the lower part, the Youth Elite (Pro Academies, "U" National Teams) and, at the top of the Pyramid the Elite Football (Clubs and Teams). Omdal spoke of setting priorities, because, currently, the mentality is directed towards the Elite and should be directed towards the players. He spoke that the children begin to play soccer to be with their friends, and they leave because they do not play. He wondered if all these ages should have equal playing time.
In Europe, Omdal said, there are 80 million football players, based on the system of clubs. Now, it's time to increase the number of girls/women who play football and also increase their presence on Boards of FA's, like increasing the number of women managers and referees, etc..
The last interventions in the morning were for members of the Norwegian Federation. Alf Hansen (Director of Development) and Sitg Bjornebye (ex-Liverpool player and now head of development for children and youth), explained that there are about 2000 Clubs in Norway, based essentially on the work of volunteers. Because this, it has been a great effort in the courses "on line" (From end to end the country's more than 2000km away!). He spoke no football "competitive" until 13 years old and the importance of communication. The idea is to reach the maximum (Barca was shown as an example), but, based on the peculiarities of the country (in this case, the Volunteers). The idea is to "involve the maximum number of POSSIBLE people, as long as POSSIBLE, to be the best POSSIBLE." Finally he spoke of the introduction of interactive tools to make all this possible, with a program that started in January 2012, establishing a Web with Intraent applications, where you can download sessions and exercises, while you can keep track players, etc. The idea is based on sessions with 50% of SSG and the other 50% in specific activities, such as the shooting or finishing. This program (S2S), we explained by the Manager of the Company, Tor Ahlgren.
After lunch we attended the practice session 1, in the same Ullevaal Stadium (where Valerenga and the National Team play). I must say that the Hotel where the course is held is at the same stadium. In this session we saw what I talked about in the first entry: possession games of all types: 6V3, 8v2, etc.
Once the session was finished, the following speakers talked about to use the "Momentum" to promote grassroots football. Orit Raz (Israel), spoke about the activities that will be made with the occasion of the Under-21 Finals in her country (Festivals, Tournaments, flyers, TV, etc.). Peter Lànstrøm (Sweden), followed with the Women's Euro in July (as well as Israel, with coaching courses for women, Symposiums, etc..). Alf Hansen spoke of everything that is done in connection with the Norwegian Cup Final (male and female), that are the matches that close the season in the country. Here, there are seminars for parents and specialists, with over 250 participants.
Finally, Willi Hink, Liam MCGroary (Rep. Ireland) and Jim Fleeting (Scotland), spoke to use the "Grassroots Awards" as a way of rewarding effort, as a quality brand, as a way of saying "thank you" to the football people, etc.
The day concluded with a dinner hosted by the Norwegian FA, while watching the Champions League match Borussia vs Malaga.

MEMORIES FROM OSLO (1)

I begin here a series of posts about my trip to Oslo to attend the 10th "UEFA Grassroots Workshop". For those who do not know, "Grassroots" for UEFA, means all the football that is not elite. That is, youth football, women, disabled, etc. It is important to make this distinction, because many people think that "Grassroots" means only, "Football for young".

One important thing to say is that you will not find, now, a collection of exercises and activities that were made. There, yes, but very few and well known by most. What I can say nos, is that the focus of Norway and, in general, the Nordic countries, is changing. Until recently, football was played in that area was quite similar to the British: that is, direct play, long balls, second plays, etc.. This is changing. Now, they are facing south, very to the south. Barca and the Spanish National Team have become reference points and everybody wants to play "possession football". And here also. Everything we saw and explained applied to football for children applied is based on possession: Rondos, possession games, etc.. The only problem I see (or saw) is that their culture tactic regarding this way of playing is still very low, which makes them look many misconceptions regarding its application, from building up with the "lavolpiana" with centre-backs wide, but no one among them or not applying the exchange of positions. But, I guess, as they are intelligent people, that they will know soon how to solve it.

The course has had exhibitions of programs for different groups of people (women, homeless, disabled, etc.,always in the more social aspect), seminars, discussion groups, etc.. It has participating people as Per Omdal (one of the greatest in the field of Grassroots in Europe), Fernando Hierro (ex-Real Madrid player), or Willi Hink (Director of Amateur Football in the German Federation), with guests from Oceania or Africa, in addition to the technical staff of UEFA, with Ioan Lupescu (Chief Technical Officer) or Frank Ludolph (Head of Education).

In the next entries I'll speak of what has been done daily.