Competencies of Serbian Youth Football Coaches

Abstract

Although there is an organized training system for coaches in the Football Association of Serbia (FAS), their careers are governed to a much greater extent by the merciless market, which forms a unique combination of the influence of the environment, age, previous competitive experience and level of success, as well as coaching experience. For the stated reason, the FAS Youth Commission, which takes care of the future of Serbian football, launched a survey on the professional profile of youth football coaches in Serbia. The analysis includes the work of 161 coaches of youth schools in the Super League, the First League and the Serbian League. Most coaches come from Western Serbia, followed by Belgrade, then Eastern Serbia, with Vojvodina at the back. The age structure of the coaches seems to meet the current needs of the Association. The coaching assotiation are also satisfying with a high percentage of licensed coaches. The coach’s previous playing experience is also satisfactory. A relatively small number of coaches have playing experience at the highest level. The question arises whether the structure of the average coaching tenure is sufficient for the results that are set as goals for the FAS? A small number of trainers worked with only one age group, while the largest number of trainers worked with 4 ages between 10 and 18 years old. Half of the coaches tried their hand at the senior competition. A seemingly simple analysis raises questions that mostly concern the unused resource for the advancement of the FAS, and which are precisely found in the strategic approach to the development of football personnel and the systematic management of the aforementioned variables, which, with the correct relationship, sequence and combination, can lead to more experienced and successful football experts in Serbia. Based on the results, FAS will launch a joint development program for youth.