PZPN

Last December, representatives of the PZPN, Ekstraklasa and Pierwsza Liga Piłkarska signed a letter of intent setting out the framework for cooperation. The joint project, built on three key pillars - auditing and certification of clubs, management training and adaptation of the proven Double Pass programme -aims to raise the level of training, organisation of club academies and support for clubs in talent development, particularly in the transition of young players from youth teams to first teams.

"Today, we are taking an important step towards the modern and sustainable development of Polish football. The signed agreement is not only a continuation of the cooperation between the Polish Football Association and professional leagues, but above all a tangible tool for clubs – a tool that can and should develop alongside them. We want to support clubs in building stable training foundations, where the priority is long-term planning aimed at the development of young players. Strong academies translate not only into better clubs, but also a stronger Polish national team in the future. That is why we treat this project as part of our shared responsibility for the future of Polish football, from the local to the national level", said Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish Football Association.

The project, led by the Polish Football Association with the support of Ekstraklasa SA, Pierwsza Liga Piłkarska, and the clubs of Poland's two highest divisions, is planned to last four years. An important element is the inclusion of Betlic 1. Liga clubs in the programme, which is expected to strengthen their potential and create a better sporting and organisational base for the Ekstraklasa.

"We have achieved a great deal in Polish professional club football in recent years, whether in terms of sporting development, record attendances or ever-increasing financial resources. This is also reflected in the repeated successes of our teams in UEFA club competitions and the significant rise in the UEFA ranking. Still, we cannot rest on our laurels and must continue to seek opportunities for further development. The cooperation with Double Pass is intended to help us reach a high level of organisation in our youth training programme, so that we can build our competitive advantage in this area as well. In particular, the implementation of an effective development pathway for young players — from the academy to the first team — can provide us with an important basis for further growth," said Wojciech Strzałkowski, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ekstraklasa and the main shareholder of Jagiellonia Białystok.

The project aims to introduce a number of significant improvements in the training of young footballers. One priority is to strive to raise club organisational and licensing standards, which will enable more effective management of sports organisations. In addition, the project will support the training of qualified staff, including sports directors and football academy leaders, who are in charge of developing young players.

"Over the last few years, we have seen a dynamic development of club academies. The first-league environment has for many years been the space in which young Polish players take their first steps in senior-level football. The opportunity to audit the activities and training provided, and then build a plan and implement the recommendations will certainly have a positive impact on improving the quality of the processes. Creating a coherent concept for the two highest divisions in Poland will benefit the whole environment," said Marcin Janicki, President of 1 Liga.

"We are happy to work with the Polish Football Association, Ekstraklasa and Betclic 1 Liga, thanks to which we will be able to make a significant difference to Polish football," said Koen Put, Managing Director of Double Pass. "This partnership reflects our commitment to excellence and our belief in the potential of strategic, systemic development to achieve sustainable results and promote the sport at home and abroad," he added.

Double Pass is a renowned consultancy firm that specialises in audits and support for clubs and football associations worldwide. It has worked with, among others, the Premier League, the Bundesliga and the Royal Belgian Football Association. In recent years, it has implemented analogous projects in cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation, the Swedish and Danish leagues, and others.