Voetbal Vlaanderen Aims for Ambitious Youth Engagement by 2028

Brussels, Belgium – Voetbal Vlaanderen presented its new policy plan for 2025-2028 on March 15, aiming to increase youth participation in football. The federation aspires for one in five boys and girls to be involved in club football by 2028, alongside plans to boost support and enhance respect within the sport.

Voetbal Vlaanderen’s General Director Philippe Rosier detailed the organization’s ambitions during an interview on Radio 1. Today, nearly 357,000 players are registered with clubs in Flanders, representing a significant 28% increase in the past decade.

“It is certainly not bad for youth and amateur football,” Rosier remarked. “However, it’s important that we as a federation remain ambitious and foster a dynamic that expands across our 2,900 clubs and players.”

According to Rosier, the current statistic of one in five youth under 15 engaged in a football club could improve, as one out of three boys are already involved. He noted that 36% of clubs face waiting lists. “The largest waiting list is in Antwerp, with 1,400 children waiting at a single club. We believe that every child eager to play football should have the right to do so,” he said.

The federation is tackling challenges related to infrastructure, facilities, and volunteer shortages. “We currently lack a cohesive approach to how we manage our sports spaces and often face a shortfall of both facilities and willing volunteers,” Rosier elaborated.

In response, Voetbal Vlaanderen is advocating the creation of a better statutory framework to encourage engagement without the need for employment contracts. “The existing framework is far too complex, which discourages many potential volunteers,” Rosier pointed out.

Addressing the lack of female engagement in football, Rosier emphasized the need for a distinct strategy. “We must acknowledge our past with a predominantly male football culture, which affects all levels,” he added.

He highlighted the necessity for clubs to invest and demonstrate creativity, especially with limited funds in amateur football. “Clubs often have only four locker rooms; this can create challenges when accommodating mixed teams,” Rosier warned. The federation is rolling out specific initiatives to welcome and support female players more effectively.

Furthermore, Voetbal Vlaanderen is not only targeting a youth audience but also aims to increase supporter numbers, with data revealing that seven out of ten clubs currently draw fewer than 100 spectators per match. “Last year, we observed a 20% decline in fan attendance at matches,” Rosier stated, attributing this to broader societal trends.

He explained how previous communal football culture has shifted as society has become more multicultural. “Our largest club represents 92 different nationalities, and it takes specific policy measures to unite these diverse groups for post-match interactions,” Rosier said.

The federation is emphasizing community building by coaching clubs on how to effectively engage a diverse audience through social media and other channels. “It is crucial for fans to demonstrate appropriate behavior, as this remains a problem,” Rosier noted, addressing issues such as discrimination and racism.

Despite these difficulties, recent surveys show that 80% of stakeholders believe there is a positive trend in behavior at football events. Voetbal Vlaanderen is actively implementing campaigns like #doedegijdathuisook to reinforce expected norms at matches.

Rosier concluded by highlighting aspirations for fan engagement, stating, “We aim to double our supporter base by 2028. More fans not only add to the atmosphere, they also provide essential financial support for clubs to grow.”