Study Group Scheme reaps rewards

UEFA's ambitious Study Group Scheme (SGS) – in which the 54 UEFA member national associations swap crucial technical expertise and know-how for the benefit of the European game – is now into its sixth season, with no sign of the programme's success slowing down.

The scheme, based on an initial idea by UEFA President Michel Platini, sees associations hosting seminars and inviting groups of their counterparts from across Europe for discussions on grassroots football, elite youth football, coach education and women's football – four key priority areas for UEFA's wide range of activities.

A main objective is to raise pan-European standards through, for example, visits by association specialists – with the help of UEFA funding – to gather technical knowledge in other associations, particularly at their clubs. This year, the SGS is focusing on finer details, and on more specific topics within the usual four subjects. A total of 53 seminars are planned – 15 on grassroots football, 14 on elite youth football, 12 on coach education and 12 on the women's game.

The UEFA Development and Technical Assistance Committee, in cooperation with the UEFA administration, monitors the UEFA Study Group Scheme. The quality of the scheme is assessed by committee members, and by processing the feedback from both the host and visiting associations. In principle, each association can hold three study visits per year, and each of these can feature three different visiting associations at one time.

The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) recently staged an SGS grassroots seminar. Armenia, Lithuania and Estonia were the guest associations. In addition, members of UEFA's Grassroots Panel attended the seminar to re-evaluate the FSS's current status within the UEFA Grassroots Charter, through which UEFA motivates member associations to constantly develop their activities in the vital grassroots sector. Liam McGroarty (Republic of Ireland) and Otakar Mestek (Czech Republic) were the panel members present.

Associations are re-evaluated three years after being awarded UEFA recognition in order to ensure the charter's standards and credibility, and to further stimulate them to invest even more into the grassroots.

All the associations came away from the event in Serbia with positive ideas and enthusiasm, while the FSS enjoyed its role as hosts. "This [seminar] provided us with a new opportunity to share experiences with our guest associations in the development of a massive area of football – the grassroots," said FSS general secretary Zoran Laković. "I believe all the visiting associations are richer for the experience."

"Of course, we have also benefited from excellent ideas and programmes that are implemented in the visiting associations," added FSS director of grassroots football development, Igor Janković. "This truly was a very positive experience that will, for all of us, give additional momentum for the development of national grassroots football programmes."

Liam McGrorty expressed his satisfaction with the grassroots activities that are ongoing in Serbia. "From a grassroots perspective," he said, "the Serbian FA demonstrated many excellent initiatives undertaken by the association, clubs, partners and volunteers to increase participation and provide pathways for players and coaches.

"The professionalism and enthusiasm of the grassroots staff was matched by the receptivity or openness of the visiting associations," he said. "Of particular interest to many was the network of volunteer grassroots coordinators that has been set up in Serbia."

The final word from a successful course goes to a special guest, UEFA grassroots ambassador Per Ravn Omdal. "I happened to be in Serbia on several occasions in the last few years and learned that the various grassroots projects are flourishing," he reflected.

"The visiting countries – Estonia, Lithuania and Armenia – and their delegations presented philosophies and projects from their respective associations, which were impressive in terms of size and future ambitions. In particular, I enjoyed the progress made in girls football, the participation of female coaches and leaders in Belgrade, and a firm dedication to develop the huge potential of female football in the future."