Study Group Scheme evolves for 2014/15

UEFA's Study Group Scheme – the innovative programme whereby Europe's national football associations exchange information, advice and know-how in the technical area – is taking on a new dimension after six successful seasons.

The Study Group Scheme, an initiative of UEFA President Michel Platini, is designed to support football development across Europe and raise pan-European standards. It encourages specific exchanges and access to technical knowledge according to the specific needs of UEFA's 54 member associations through, for example, visits by association specialists – with the help of UEFA funding – to gather knowledge in other associations, particularly at their clubs.

UEFA has now made the decision to reshape this technical exchange programme with a new format which aims to provide the same fundamental benefits of sharing technical information and expertise, while taking a more specific approach to the topics that are included in the scheme.

The Study Group Scheme's new form will give each association the possibility to visit four associations over the course of the next two seasons. The programme for every visit will be more specifically based on three pillars – coach education, women's football and grassroots football.

Visiting associations will have the chance to choose between three main coach education topics: UEFA B licence, UEFA elite youth A licence or Fitness for Football. The main women's football focus will now be on elite youth development in the women's game, including best practice examples of work with age-restricted national teams.

As for grassroots, new criteria have been introduced for UEFA's Grassroots Charter, which encourages associations to develop their grassroots activities. Study visits to other associations will centre on familiarisation with the criteria and key elements of the revamped charter, such as growth, retention, fair play programmes, schools football, educational activities for grassroots leaders and data collection systems.

Feedback from the European associations has been hugely positive, with all the FAs taking part with enthusiasm and commitment over the past six seasons. "As far as I'm concerned, it's really a success story, the UEFA study group, and really a good project to promote the exchange of football for the nations in Europe," said Thorsten Becht, manager of the German Football Association (DFB) talent promotion programme. "It's a platform where you can gain good insights into the promotion of youth football in other national associations. It's very important for us to look up from our plate sometimes, and to keep doing so because, as they say, to stand still is to take a step backwards."

"You have the possibility to interact with very well-prepared people from different countries, who can put different ideas on the table," added Sorin Colceag from the Romanian Football Federation (FRF). "They can have an influence on your way of thinking of doing things. There are many important and valuable ideas which I think we can take over and put into operation back in Romania, to help improve Romanian football."

"It's very interesting for the football family," was the view of Martin Hasprun, the Slovak Football Association (SFZ) grassroots director. "We can exchange experiences, and develop new friendships during the study groups, so it's a positive initiative."