1) Grassroots football is a major part of Norwegian sports culture, with over 300,000 games played each year by coaches and volunteers supporting 50% of boys and 25% of girls aged 6-12. 2) There is a discussion around how top clubs that represent only 2.4% of clubs can better connect with and support grassroots clubs. Developing an understanding between the focus on individual skill evaluation versus overall player development is important. 3) Building an identity for Norwegian football based on the country's sports model and values of humbleness and faith, rather than emulating other countries like Barcelona, is suggested.

1. STIG INGE BJØRNEBYE
Grassroots Reflections

2. Communication to Grassroots: Can we be heard?
Grassroots values?

3. Grassroots football every day, every where…
• NFF
• Over 300.000 games played per year
• Club structure – 1913, 14 teams per club
• Coaches - 27 532 teams
• 50% of boys aged 6-12
• 25% of girls aged 6-12
• Countless volunteers!
Top clubs represent only 2,4% of all clubs.
Can they reach out, do they know how, and can they be effective?

4. From social responsibility and a lot of misunderstanding
to player development and an understanding:
• From narrow view, to wide perspectives:
• Skill-evaluation from “touch” to “over all”
• Talent vs. Maturing
• Messi vs. Mastering

5. Could, or should this be like Barcelona?
Camp Nou Alfheim Stadium
Based on Norwegian sports model
We must build our own identity
With humbleness and faith

6. Best sports nations in the world: (Sport Bild)
Rank Country Population (mill)
1 USA 313
2 China 1 347
3 Germany 81
4 Russia 143
5 Canada 34
6 France 65
7 UK 62
8 Norway 5
9 Australia 22
10 South Korea 48
11 Italy 60
12 Netherland 16

7. A history of the volunteers movement
Ullevaal 1935 Holmenkollen 1952

8. Volunteers still vital today:

9. Our Grassroots Formula
Safety and Mastering
+
Challenge
=
Enjoyment and Development

10. Activity:
• Create security but also challenges
• Activity which stimulate more activity (on your own)
• Activity as base for belonging
• Enjoy longing for the next SESSION
• Enjoy longing for next SEASON
Last week in Galway:
Årvoll, Oslo vs Irland U-15
0-3

11. The good feeling!
• The smell of new boots!
• The friends!
• Tournaments
• The sound of a perfect kick!
• Repetitions and mastering!
• Development ownership
”Do we learn by theory and dreams, or by doing?”

12. Is Norway’s peculiarity a strength or weakness?
Activate as many players as
As long as
To be as good as
Possible
Impossible?I’m possible!

13. Social responsibility in grassroots football –
in conflict with elite development?
• They are dependent on each other!
• They are feeding each other
• They should demand from each other
• They should assist each other

14. What’s a talent?
• Technique?
• Speed?
• Physical strength?
• Born in January?
• Structure in training ?
• Interest in game?
Who can crack the code?

15. The most important talent is:
Motivation!

16. Action plan 2012-2015, in short:
• Raised quality on all activities
• Raised competence in key roles
• Raised awareness at club level
• Development depending on continuity
A stronger pathway to football for all.

17. Games and shapes, in line with modern football
3 vs 3 5 vs 5 7 vs 7 9 vs 9 11 vs 11
Boys 5 - 6 7 - 10 11 - 13 13 - 14 14 -
Girls 5 - 6 7 - 10 11 - 13 13 – 14/15 15 -
Technical description: Junior and Youth Football

18. Games and shapes, in line with modern football
Why?
• Technique
• Tactical flexibility
• Football intelligence
• Speed - Less time, less space

19. Quality boost with record output?
• treningsøkta.no
• Telenor Xtra
• Quality Club Project

20. Quality Club Project

21. Development vs political obstacles in football:
We «sold» the need, the effect, and the concept first:
• Presidency
• Chief executive
• Administration, Development positions
• Grassroots Committee
• Elite Coaching Committee
• The 18 Regional FA’s
This inclusion was necessary
- applauded by the stakeholders
It gave us motivation and power to develop.
Lesson learnt: do the lobbying, get stakeholder buy in first…

22. Thank you!