Inspiring start to Youth Conference

By Luke Williams in Potsdam

The 7th UEFA Youth Conference was officially opened today in Potsdam, Germany at a ceremony attended by UEFA President Lennart Johansson and UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson.

Conference theme
The theme of the conference is 'What next for European youth football?' and the planned events will combine administrative and technical aspects. Presentations and discussion groups will help UEFA gather essential information and feedback for its future decisions on youth football.

25th anniversary
The conference is taking place, appropriately enough, 25 years on from the very first UEFA Youth Conference, which was held in Frankfurt in February 1979. Mr Olsson has also drawn attention to the fact it is the first major event of UEFA's jubilee year. "Having around 200 people here to discuss youth football is very important," he said. "Youth is our future. If we don't get the future right we will have difficulties."

Opening speakers
At the opening ceremony Mr Johansson said: "UEFA does, has and will always give the necessary support in order to ensure future young players receive the best possible learning environment." Other speakers included German interior minister Otto Schilly, German Football Association president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder and Jim Boyce, the chairman of the UEFA Youth and Amateur Football Committee.

Feedback 'will be taken on board'
Mr Schilly said of the conference: "No doubt there will be differences of opinion, but we believe it is extremely important for people to share experiences and concerns." Meanwhile, Mr Boyce stressed that the delegates at the conference had a crucial role to play. "This conference is about you," he said. "[Here today] we have representatives from large associations and small associations. The feedback we gain will be taken on board."

Mood of optimism
In his address, Mr Mayer-Vorfelder summed up the prevailing mood of optimism. "You always have to look for new solutions. Without a strong foundation football would not have a future," he said. "[But] I don't think there is one problem that can't be solved ... I'm not afraid of the future for youth football."

Harvey tribute
The final introductory speaker, Mary Harvey, director of FIFA's development division, paid tribute to the event and the work of UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh. "[He] has built an outstanding programme at UEFA," she said.

Crucial role
After the conclusion of the opening speeches, UEFA's Keith Cooper took the opportunity to present details of the governing body's jubilee plans and stressed how the development of youth football had played a crucial role in UEFA's first 50 years. "You cannot reasonably prepare for the future without knowing something about the past," he said.

Wide-ranging presentation
Roxburgh then took to the floor for a wide-ranging presentation entitled 'What is the status of youth football?', which included illuminating contributions from Mr Olsson and Mr Boyce as well as highly respected youth coaches Juan Santisteban of Spain and Ulli Stielike of Germany.

Chance to reflect
The presentation gave the delegates a chance to reflect on, among other issues, how UEFA's youth competitions might be improved, what makes a good youth coach, and what European players can learn from South American and African players.

No room for complacency
Mr Roxburgh concluded by stressing that there is no room for complacency in the field of youth development. "We must produce, we must deliver. We have to deliver players and good competitions," he said. Poignantly, the UEFA technical director also called on everyone present to stand silently in remembrance of the SL Benfica and Hungary striker Miklós Fehér, who died on Sunday.