OB’s academy has again been ranked among Denmark’s best, placing fifth nationwide in the latest talent development license assessment from the Danish Football Association. The academy earned 4.5 out of 5 stars with a total score of 85.34 out of 100.
Evaluation Criteria for Talent Development
The license system evaluates clubs across seven categories: strategy, organization and HR, team development, individual development, talent identification, facilities, and productivity.
According to academy head Tonny Hermansen, the result reflects the daily work taking place at the Ådalen academy. He points to the importance of having enough qualified staff to develop players who can reach the first team or be sold on, and notes that DBU’s benchmarks help define what strong talent development and investment look like.
Hermansen also underlines that the evaluation covers both on-field performance and the wider setup around players. OB’s approach includes schooling, housing, and training structures designed to support overall well-being and reduce pressure on young athletes.
He highlights close cooperation with clubs on Funen as a cornerstone of the academy’s foundation. These partnerships strengthen recruitment by encouraging the island’s top prospects to choose OB, supported by solid facilities and consistent communication.
Hermansen welcomes broader progress in the regional talent pathway. SfB-Oure and Næsby are both ranked among the nation’s top 30 and hold licenses for the U15, U17, and U19 Divisions, while Dalum has obtained a local union license. This, he says, benefits talent development across Funen and could widen further as more clubs join.
For OB, the licensing table is not only about position but also about providing strong, reliable conditions for young players and their families, spanning sport, school, and personal development. Despite the high ranking, the club sees room to improve and views the criteria as motivation to keep strengthening its environment.