UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Women's youth structures in focus

Elite women's youth structures and academies for promising young female players were the central point of a UEFA KISS workshop in Keflavik, Iceland.

Participants at the KISS workshop in Keflavik, Iceland
Participants at the KISS workshop in Keflavik, Iceland ©KSÍ

UEFA has staged a women's football workshop in Iceland focussing on how European national associations can nurture their elite women's youth infrastructure and, in particular, set up or develop academies for promising young female players.

The workshop in Keflavik, staged under the auspices of the UEFA Knowledge and Information Sharing Scenario (KISS) programme, was attended by representatives of six national associations. The hosts Iceland were joined by delegations from the Czech, Polish, Irish, Romanian and Scottish associations, which included academy heads, women's youth team coaches and senior development officials. UEFA officials included head of football development Jean-François Domergue and UEFA technical instructor and coaching expert Béatrice von Siebenthal.

The workshop came in response to requests from national associations to further their knowledge on elite youth structures – in particular, academies. The workshop was a mix of group work and presentations looking into the associations' current structures, how they could be improved, and what would be their own specific starting point to change or further develop the method or type of elite player pathway.

Objectives were to provide an opportunity to associations who have indicated an interest in this issue to explore their ideas and share knowledge; to gain an understanding of best practices in this area and how to adapt and modify to their own association's needs; and to identify next steps in developing and improving elite youth pathways in national associations.

The associations present in Iceland returned home with concrete performance plans for key elite youth age groups. "Developing the elite youth structures is crucial for raising the standards of the women's game," said Emily Shaw, UEFA women's football development manager. "Our aim is for the participating national associations to go home with practical ideas on improving conditions for their talented girls."

Anne-Helen Grahm, assistant coach of the Scottish women's national team, added: "The provision of elite player academies in various shapes and forms, depending on each association's special circumstances and needs, is a fundamental part in all our ambitions to develop the future top-level players in football.

"Undoubtedly this is an important area to put more focus on, and this workshop shows the commitment to this from the attending member associations, and from UEFA."

The Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ), who have enjoyed encouraging recent progress in women's football, were ideal hosts for such an event. "The KSÍ strives to offer the best opportunities for the talented player to reach their full potential, whether it be a boy or a girl," said general secretary Klara Bjartmarz.

Selected for you