National Development program for young people (under 18)
National Development programme for young people (under 18)
5 year plan: Croatian Table Soccer Association – Revison A
The Federation (CTSA) has identified young people as the key target group for the future development of table football in Croatia. As we are only beginning this long-term process, our primary focus is to attract new generations of players and build a sustainable foundation for growth. In the first phase, we will concentrate on strengthening and developing local clubs, enabling them to become the main centers for youth participation, coaching, and community support across the country.
General Objectives:
- Increase the number of young people licensed within table football clubs affiliated with the Federation. The objective is to increase the number of young participants by at least 10% each season compared with the previous season. Progress will be monitored through annual reports from affiliated clubs.
- Facilitate access to table football by reducing barriers related to cost, equipment and infrastructure. The Federation will support clubs, schools and local youth initiatives through reduced participation costs, access to equipment and assistance in identifying suitable training locations, subject to available resources.
- Provide an attractive and structured framework that encourages the long-term participation of young players. Young participants will be offered a clear pathway from introductory activities and regular club training to age-appropriate regional and national competitions.
- Develop social and motor skills through the regular practice of table football. Youth activities will promote hand-eye coordination, concentration, reaction speed and ball control, as well as teamwork, communication, responsibility, fair play and respect for others.
Club Development
Support affiliated clubs in building sustainable local environments where young people can safely discover and enjoy table football. The objective is to establish youth activities in at least 50% of the Federation’s affiliated clubs by the end of the 2027/2028 season.
The Federation will assist clubs in developing their capacity to welcome, coach and retain junior players within their communities by:
- providing guidance and examples for organising youth training sessions;
- sharing promotional materials for attracting young players;
- helping clubs establish cooperation with schools and youth organisations;
- supporting the education and exchange of experience among youth coaches and volunteers;
- providing limited financial, equipment or organisational support (these may include reduced participation fees, transport, promotional activities, coaching materials, tables on a free-of-charge loan basis, subject to availability)
Youth Competition Pathway
Ensure that the National Championship provides meaningful opportunities for junior players through dedicated youth disciplines, accessible or free entry fees where possible, and a safe, welcoming and age-appropriate competition environment that encourages long-term participation.
Depending on the number and age of participants, the Federation will:
- organise dedicated junior singles and/or junior doubles disciplines;
- introduce appropriate age categories or beginner formats where participation numbers allow;
- use competition formats that provide young players with several matches and sufficient playing time;
- provide reduced or free entry fees for junior disciplines where financially possible;
- clearly communicate competition rules, schedules and expectations to young players, parents and clubs;
- encourage clubs to support junior players with registration, preparation and participation at Federation competitions.
The Federation will record the number of junior participants and disciplines organised each season and use these results to adapt future competition formats. The objective is to create a clear pathway from introductory activities and club training to regional and national competitions.
Schools and Community Outreach
Actively cooperate with schools, educational institutions and youth organizations to introduce table football to young people in familiar and safe environments. These partnerships will serve as the primary entry point for attracting new generations of players and connecting them with local clubs.
The Federation and its affiliated clubs will support this cooperation by:
- organising introductory demonstrations and activities in schools
- providing promotional and educational materials explaining the basic rules and benefits of table football;
- offering tables and basic equipment on a free-of-charge temporary loan basis, subject to availability;
- connecting interested young participants with the nearest affiliated club or local training group;
- encouraging clubs to appoint a contact person responsible for cooperation with schools and local youth organisations.
The Federation will monitor the number of participating schools, institutions, organised activities and young people reached through these programmes. Where sufficient interest is identified, the objective will be to develop regular activities or establish cooperation with a nearby affiliated club.
Youth Coaching Development
The Federation will identify, support and promote dedicated youth coaches within its affiliated clubs. These coaches will be encouraged to work with young players, develop age-appropriate training programmes, and help create a structured, enjoyable and educational pathway for junior development across Croatia.
The Federation will support youth coaches and volunteers by:
- providing examples of basic youth training plans
- sharing practical guidance on organising safe training sessions;
- encouraging the exchange of experience, materials and good practices between affiliated clubs;
- organising workshops for youth coaches and volunteers
- promoting fair play, positive communication, responsibility and respect
- encouraging participating clubs to identify at least one person responsible for coordinating their youth activities.
Youth coaches will be encouraged to monitor attendance, participation and the progress of young players. The Federation will collect information on the number of active youth coaches, volunteers and clubs providing organised youth training at the end of each season. This information will be used to identify development needs and improve future support for coaches and clubs.
National Development programme for young people (under 18)
5 year plan: Croatian Table Soccer Association – Revison A
The Federation (CTSA) has identified young people as the key target group for the future development of table football in Croatia. As we are only beginning this long-term process, our primary focus is to attract new generations of players and build a sustainable foundation for growth. In the first phase, we will concentrate on strengthening and developing local clubs, enabling them to become the main centers for youth participation, coaching, and community support across the country.
General Objectives:
- Increase the number of young people licensed within table football clubs affiliated with the Federation. The objective is to increase the number of young participants by at least 10% each season compared with the previous season. Progress will be monitored through annual reports from affiliated clubs.
- Facilitate access to table football by reducing barriers related to cost, equipment and infrastructure. The Federation will support clubs, schools and local youth initiatives through reduced participation costs, access to equipment and assistance in identifying suitable training locations, subject to available resources.
- Provide an attractive and structured framework that encourages the long-term participation of young players. Young participants will be offered a clear pathway from introductory activities and regular club training to age-appropriate regional and national competitions.
- Develop social and motor skills through the regular practice of table football. Youth activities will promote hand-eye coordination, concentration, reaction speed and ball control, as well as teamwork, communication, responsibility, fair play and respect for others.
Club Development
Support affiliated clubs in building sustainable local environments where young people can safely discover and enjoy table football. The objective is to establish youth activities in at least 50% of the Federation’s affiliated clubs by the end of the 2027/2028 season.
The Federation will assist clubs in developing their capacity to welcome, coach and retain junior players within their communities by:
- providing guidance and examples for organising youth training sessions;
- sharing promotional materials for attracting young players;
- helping clubs establish cooperation with schools and youth organisations;
- supporting the education and exchange of experience among youth coaches and volunteers;
- providing limited financial, equipment or organisational support (these may include reduced participation fees, transport, promotional activities, coaching materials, tables on a free-of-charge loan basis, subject to availability)
Youth Competition Pathway
Ensure that the National Championship provides meaningful opportunities for junior players through dedicated youth disciplines, accessible or free entry fees where possible, and a safe, welcoming and age-appropriate competition environment that encourages long-term participation.
Depending on the number and age of participants, the Federation will:
- organise dedicated junior singles and/or junior doubles disciplines;
- introduce appropriate age categories or beginner formats where participation numbers allow;
- use competition formats that provide young players with several matches and sufficient playing time;
- provide reduced or free entry fees for junior disciplines where financially possible;
- clearly communicate competition rules, schedules and expectations to young players, parents and clubs;
- encourage clubs to support junior players with registration, preparation and participation at Federation competitions.
The Federation will record the number of junior participants and disciplines organised each season and use these results to adapt future competition formats. The objective is to create a clear pathway from introductory activities and club training to regional and national competitions.
Schools and Community Outreach
Actively cooperate with schools, educational institutions and youth organizations to introduce table football to young people in familiar and safe environments. These partnerships will serve as the primary entry point for attracting new generations of players and connecting them with local clubs.
The Federation and its affiliated clubs will support this cooperation by:
- organising introductory demonstrations and activities in schools
- providing promotional and educational materials explaining the basic rules and benefits of table football;
- offering tables and basic equipment on a free-of-charge temporary loan basis, subject to availability;
- connecting interested young participants with the nearest affiliated club or local training group;
- encouraging clubs to appoint a contact person responsible for cooperation with schools and local youth organisations.
The Federation will monitor the number of participating schools, institutions, organised activities and young people reached through these programmes. Where sufficient interest is identified, the objective will be to develop regular activities or establish cooperation with a nearby affiliated club.
Youth Coaching Development
The Federation will identify, support and promote dedicated youth coaches within its affiliated clubs. These coaches will be encouraged to work with young players, develop age-appropriate training programmes, and help create a structured, enjoyable and educational pathway for junior development across Croatia.
The Federation will support youth coaches and volunteers by:
- providing examples of basic youth training plans
- sharing practical guidance on organising safe training sessions;
- encouraging the exchange of experience, materials and good practices between affiliated clubs;
- organising workshops for youth coaches and volunteers
- promoting fair play, positive communication, responsibility and respect
- encouraging participating clubs to identify at least one person responsible for coordinating their youth activities.
Youth coaches will be encouraged to monitor attendance, participation and the progress of young players. The Federation will collect information on the number of active youth coaches, volunteers and clubs providing organised youth training at the end of each season. This information will be used to identify development needs and improve future support for coaches and clubs.