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

Study Group Scheme moves forward

With 2010 only weeks old, UEFA's member national associations are wasting no time in continuing to share technical knowledge with each other as part of the successful UEFA Study Group Scheme.

A Study Group Scheme seminar in Croatia
A Study Group Scheme seminar in Croatia ©HNS

With 2010 only a couple of weeks old, UEFA's member national associations are wasting no time in continuing to share technical knowledge as part of the successful UEFA Study Group Scheme.

Ideas and expertise
The Republic of Ireland, Finland and Poland travelled to Croatia to exchange ideas and expertise on elite youth football, while Greece, Croatia and FYR Macedonia have been to Denmark to swap information on coach education activities.

Improving standards
The Study Group Scheme, initiated by UEFA president Michel Platini and funded by UEFA, is now in its second year and involves all 53 UEFA national members, with the aim of improving European football's technical standards throughout the continent. The visits focus on areas such as elite youth football, coach education, grassroots and the women's game.

Learn from different cultures
As Denmark prepared to host its event, the Danish Football Association's technical director Peter Rudbæk welcomed the work of the Study Group Scheme. "I think it is always good to see and get experiences from other organisations with similar or different cultures in football," he said.

Awareness
"It is a very good experience for the technical staff in the organisation to visit other organisations – and a very good experience to prepare study group visits in our own country," he added. "Everyone gets heightened awareness of our strengths and development opportunities."

High numbers
Norway, Spain and Iceland (with Iceland making its debut as a host) stage further Study Group Scheme sessions this month. A total of 52 visits are planned this season. Each member of the UEFA development and technical committee has taken part or will participate in an upcoming visit. A total of 156 groups of eleven members will be travelling to other associations. Some 1,700 football technicians around Europe are expected to be involved in the scheme's second year.