Women’s football attendances are up, but barriers to growth still need overcoming
May 2 – Attendance at European women’s football has been rising steadily but is the women’s game reaching another glass ceiling?
Development
AC Milan launch junior camps in Central Europe
April 22 – AC Milan have taken another step in their international grassroots strategy with the launch of two Milan Junior Camps in Central Europe this July — in Prague (14–18 July) and Rovinka, Slovakia (21–25 July).
Sampdoria and Finland’s Nora Heroum balances UEFA masters with a July play date at Euro 2025
January 24 – Transitioning from being a professional footballer to a working life outside of playing the game is one of the biggest challenges a player undertakes.
UEFA renames and refocuses its non-European support programme under ‘UEFA Together’ banner
September 25 – UEFA has re-versioned and refocused its financial support programme for nations and projects outside its European membership.
UEFA’s new Champions Innovate challenge targets promotion of healthy and active lifestyle
September 20 – The second edition of the Champions Innovate initiative has been launched with a challenge to startup companies to develop concepts promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
ECA releases research report on transition of academy players to club first teams
July 25 – The European Club Association (ECA) has highlighted the significant challenges young players face in transitioning from academy to senior level, presenting recommendations and best practices for clubs to support their rising talents in a new report released today (Thursday).
Romanian clubs boost investment in academies
May 17 – Romania’s top tier clubs have invested €11.5 million in their youth academies over the last 2023/24 season, according to figures from by the Romanian Football Federation (FRF).
English FA’s grassroots support programme for disabled people wins UEFA recognition
April 25 – The English Football Association has introduced a new wide-ranging support package to help grassroots clubs facilitate participation for disabled people, with the project winning the 2023/24 UEFA Grassroots Award for best disability initiative.
UEFA and Disney extend Playmakers project to bring more young girls into football
November 17 – UEFA has extended its partnership with Disney until 2027, allowing the continuation of the UEFA Playmakers project which aims to use Disney storytelling to provide unique opportunities to girls as a safe, fun and engaging entry pathway into football.
UEFA holds first forum for club and national team youth coaches
November 13 – UEFA hosted its inaugural Youth Football Forum last Friday, marking the first event tailored for technical and academy directors and youth coaches of both clubs and national teams.
UEFA launches ‘Be a Referee!’ campaign to boost match official numbers
August 31 – UEFA have launched a first-of-its-kind refereeing recruitment campaign following a UEFA’s refereeing committee report outlining a shortage of match officials thoughout the game in Europe.
Turkey’s Samsunspor signs up for French lessons with Toulouse co-operation
August 31 – Turkey’s Samsunspor and France’s Toulouse FC have signed a three-year cooperation agreement that will see both clubs work together on a number of development projects including the sharing of young players and knowledge in terms of strategic, technical and management.