The Danish Football Association (DBU) is taking significant steps to enhance the landscape of club football in Denmark through a comprehensive nationwide survey. This initiative aims to map out who is involved in the governance, development, and participation in club football. The findings from this survey will play a crucial role in guiding future investments and support for football clubs across the country.
Understanding the Focus of the Survey
The survey will be conducted in weeks 22 to 24 as part of DBU’s development program, Hele Danmarks Klubhus. This program is designed to shape the evolution of Danish football clubs over the coming years. The analysis will primarily focus on the individuals who keep clubs operational on a daily basis, including coaches, club leaders, and parents. The objective is to create tailored solutions that address the diverse needs of clubs and volunteers, moving away from a generic approach.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the club dynamics, invitations to participate in the survey will be sent to:
- Registered club leaders on boards and in specific leadership roles.
- Registered coaches in clubs that utilize automatic membership fee billing.
- A sample of up to 20,000 parents from clubs that also employ automatic membership fee billing.
DBU will oversee the distribution of the questionnaire, while the external consultancy firm Rambøll will be responsible for the analysis of the data collected.
The organization is urging all recipients of the questionnaire to respond, as a high participation rate will enhance the evidence base for decision-making. The insights gained from this survey are expected to inform targeted initiatives for clubs, establish priorities within the Hele Danmarks Klubhus framework, and improve support for volunteers and staff in their everyday roles.
The study will categorize coaches, club leaders, and parents based on various factors, including behavior, motivation, and experience. Additionally, it will create club profiles based on size, location, and organizational structure. By combining these perspectives, the analysis aims to uncover the defining characteristics of different types of coaches, the challenges faced by various club types, and any significant regional differences. This knowledge will be instrumental in guiding priorities and shaping new efforts in Danish club football for the years ahead.
Hele Danmarks Klubhus is set to run through 2030 and comprises three main tracks:
- Future Football Clubs (Fremtidens Fodboldklubber): This initiative focuses on creating enjoyable and educational environments for children’s and youth football while supporting over 120,000 volunteers. It is backed by the LEGO Foundation and Lars Larsen Group A/S.
- Regional Football Centres: These modern hubs will serve as development centers for players, coaches, and volunteers, based on the principles of Future Football Clubs. This initiative is supported by the A.P. Møller Relief Foundation.
- DBU Campus: This national base will feature state-of-the-art facilities for national teams, innovation, and community engagement. It will include the headquarters for DBU and DBU Zealand, with investments from AP Ejendomme and operational management by Scandic Hotels. DBU is in the process of acquiring the land, partnering with Høje Taastrup Municipality.
This comprehensive approach by DBU reflects a commitment to enhancing the infrastructure and support systems for club football in Denmark, ensuring that all participants have the resources they need to thrive.