Grassroots Newsletter #8
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Grassroots 8•E 7.11.2008 15:37 Page 1 GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL NEWSLETTER Editorial: Giving Something Back • • • The Red Square Show • • • Grassroots Activities at EURO 2008 • • • Charter Hits More Targets • • • High-Quality Finnish • • • The Share Market • • • Summer of Grassroots Growth PUBLISHED BY UEFA’S FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION N O 8 DECEMBER 2008 Grassroots 8•E 7.11.2008 15:37 Page 2 Karel Navarro/AP/Keystone After helping Spain to victory at EURO 2008, Iker Casillas headed for Peru as part of a humanitarian project. STR/AFP/Getty Images IMPRESSUM EDITORIAL GROUP Andy Roxburgh Graham Turner Frits Ahlstrøm ADMINISTRATION Frank Ludolph Hélène Fors Evelyn Ternes UEFA Language Services PRODUCTION André Vieli Dominique Maurer Atema Communication SA Printed by Artgraphic Cavin SA COVER An unfamiliar sight: football on the Red Square in Moscow. The Champions Festival took centre stage as the city hosted the UEFA Champions League final. Photo: Getty Images/T.E.A.M. Karel Navarro/AP/Keystone 2 Grassroots 8•E 7.11.2008 15:37 Page 3 GIVING SOMETHING BACK EDITORIAL assisted the United Nations with national coach, Fatih Terim, and former humanitarian projects which target the national team players have provided BY ANDY ROXBURGH, needs of children. But social respon- the star quality and raised the profile UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR sibility is only part of the equation – of the programme. Many in football are there is also an engagement in grass- active in the grassroots field, but much roots events, and the former Real more needs to be done. Madrid maestro was in great form prior to the EURO 2008 final in Vienna At UEFA’s recent National Coaches when he took part in a small-sided Conference, the chairman of the Devel- Former Portuguese internationalist game with starry-eyed youngsters opment Committee, Per Ravn Omdal, Paulo Sousa, who won the UEFA Cham- at an adidas fan park. Meanwhile, used the opportunity to seek help for pions League with two different clubs across town, a former team-mate was grassroots football. “I am convinced (Juventus and BV Borussia Dortmund), preparing for European glory and a that future generations of footballers has been a UEFA grassroots ambassa- grassroots trip to Peru. would improve their skills substantially dor for many years. Paulo and fellow if small-sided games were used more professionals, such as Sergei Aleinikov Iker Casillas, the captain of Spain’s frequently. If you share that opinion, from Belarus, Hansi Müller from Ger- championship winners in 2008, was it would be a wonderful message many, Zvonimir Boban from Croatia, on his way to play football with disad- from you, the national team coaches, Dariusz Dziekanowski from Poland and vantaged children in the remote moun- and a way of inspiring grassroots pro- Gabriel Calderón from Argentina, have tain region of Patabamba, Peru, just grammes and player development helped to promote UEFA’s grassroots ten days after his EURO triumph at the schemes in your respective countries,” programme by attending courses, con- Ernst Happel Stadium. In the company said the UEFA Executive Committee ferences and events around our major of former Real goalscoring great Emilio member from Norway in his closing finals. For these elite former players, Butragueño, the humble Spanish goal- speech. Coaches and players have yg investing in the foundation level of keeper presented 100 signed footballs a major role to play in fostering the the game has been a genuine com- to the local youngsters and offered his game and motivating young players. mitment, and Paulo speaks on behalf backing to much-needed community In referring to the top level of profes- of other stars when he says: “It is all projects. The importance of using sional football, Walter Smith, the about responsibility – top players have grassroots football as a vehicle for both head coach of Glasgow Rangers, said a responsibility to give something back sporting and social causes cannot be at a recent coaches’ forum: “Today to the game, because the game gave overestimated, and clubs and associa- the head coach takes all the responsi- everything to us.” There is no doubt tions, not just individuals such as Iker bility – we need to get players more that professional players, former and Casillas, must accept that they have an involved.” This also applies to the stars current, have the power to energise the obligation to “water the grassroots”. and their willingness to give something footballing dreams of the next genera- back to the game; a game which, in tion and to influence the development Bundesliga club Werder Bremen pro- the view of the exceptionally talented of young people. With the involvement vides an excellent example of club- Paulo Sousa, “gave him everything”. of legendary players (eg Pelé, Platini, initiated community work. “Professional Beckenbauer), or even local heroes, football is unimaginable without grass- the impact can be even greater. roots football” and “if we help grass- roots football we help ourselves” are Zinédine Zidane comes into this special just two of the statements which the category and his willingness to use his side from northern Germany proclaim name and reputation to support worthy in support of their philosophy. The causes and to appear at grassroots Bremen players and coaching staff events is admirable. As an ambassador regularly visit schools and local clubs for the European Leukodystrophy (100 of each) in order to promote Association, the former FIFA World the game and to contribute to social Player of the Year was in Monaco a few and educational studies. months ago to collect a cheque from UEFA for CHF 1 million (€619,000) Meanwhile, the Turkish FA, through its for a children’s charity which he has village grassroots festival (500 children Kubani/AFP represented for the last eight years. from 81 cities), has mixed social inte- Zinédine Zidane in action during a grassroots In addition, the French playmaker has gration with football development. The football demonstration in Vienna. 3 Grassroots 8•E 7.11.2008 15:37 Page 4 THREE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL IN MANCHESTER BEFORE THE UEFA-pjwoods.ch UEFA CUP FINAL. THE RED SQUARE SHOW ON THE MONDAY BEFORE THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL, THE ATTENDANCE FIGURE AT THE LUZHNIKI STADIUM IN MOSCOW BARELY REACHED THREE FIGURES. BUT IT WAS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY AS THE PERIMETER BOARDS WERE INSTALLED, THE GROUND STAFF TENDED THE NEWLY LAID TURF AND THE STANDS WERE DRESSED IN THEIR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVERY. LIKE THE CAST OF A THEATRE SHOW PREPARING FOR A MAJOR PREMIERE, THE STRESS AND TENSIONS WERE BUILDING UP BACKSTAGE. BUT, DURING A COFFEE BREAK, NEWS FROM THE RED SQUARE HELPED TO CALM THE NERVES AND SPREAD A SENSE OF WELLBEING. FANS, APPARENTLY, WERE WILLING TO QUEUE FOR AS MUCH AS THREE AND A HALF HOURS TO GET INTO THE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL. The sense of wellbeing, of course, can be illustrated by the €43,635,000 series of three-a-side grassroots foot- didn’t stem from the queuing – which of UEFA Champions League income ball tournaments for local youngsters, isn’t everybody’s favourite pastime. distributed among all 53 member known as the UEFA Cup Final 2008 It stemmed from the fact that the associations and leagues as part of the Manchester 3v3s, around 600 girls magnetism of the UEFA Champions solidarity scheme for youth develop- and boys played in four categories League was being effectively used to ment at clubs. But, although levels (boys Under-16, disability, primary pull the fans into a grassroots event. of resources are undoubtedly relevant, schoolboys and primary schoolgirls). It fitted nicely into UEFA’s philosophy there’s more to the subject than With the UEFA president, Michel of making sure that the tree tops money. Moscow was one of the Platini, making a special appearance are securely anchored by strong roots. major events to be staged during the and Paulo Sousa, UEFA grassroots In financial terms, the relationship spring and summer of 2008 which ambassador, on hand to assist, some between the world’s top club competi- demonstrated the potential and the 130 contested the finals on the tion and the broad base of the game social value of pegging grassroots day of the UEFA Cup final, with the events to the most important matches players then invited to the City of and tournaments at the professional Manchester Stadium to watch the cutting edge of the game. Not every- big match, at which 30 girls selected body enjoys the same resources – via a school cheerleading competi- but models can be scaled down. tion carried the UEFA Cup centre- circle emblem on to the pitch prior But first things first. The spectacular to kick-off. The city’s major evening Red Square Show in Moscow had newspaper and radio stations also been preceded by grassroots activities contributed by organising contests. pegged to the UEFA Cup final in Manchester, a city which, hand in During the run-up to the final, Albert hand with Glasgow, had set bench- Square, right outside the City Hall, UEFA-pjwoods.ch marks while hosting UEFA Champions had been the focal point for 3v3 Michel Platini, accompanied by grassroots ambassador Paulo Sousa, presents prizes to League and UEFA Cup finals within games – as it had been for the Star- one of the winning teams in Manchester. a relatively short time span. In the ball Match prior to the 2003 UEFA 4 Grassroots 8•E 7.11.2008 15:37 Page 5 THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY DREW A CROWD IN MOSCOW. UEFA-pjwoods.ch Champions League final. In Moscow, Their presence added pulling power for the first time, joined adidas in the venue was, once again, especially to a Champions Festival that also, promoting activities for the fans.