August was a landmark month at ECA. We advanced women’s leadership in football, highlighted youth development in Finland and confirmed our clubs’ progression in UEFA competitions — all while preparing for our biggest ever General Assembly in Rome.
All Roads Lead to Rome
The countdown is on for our 32nd General Assembly in Rome (7–9 October 2025). More than Over 800 people will come together to set priorities for the future of the game. This event is a rare opportunity to highlight the collective strength of European club football.
ECA Women On Board Programme Driving Leadership
A major highlight in August was the progress of the ECA Women on Board Programme, delivered in partnership with Women in Football. The initiative supports our mission to help advance more women into positions of leadership in European football.
Standard Liège’s Women’s Football Director, Ingrid Vanherle, a graduate of the first edition and now an ECA Board observer, reflected on how the programme boosted her confidence and leadership skills — “it opened doors” to new opportunities.
Participants from the most recent edition — including Theresa Seegerer (FC Bayern München), Amanda Moura Pietrzak (Legia Ladies), and Zeycan Rochelle Yildirim (Samsunspor) — echoed this impact. They pointed to practical leadership tools, peer-to-peer learning and the ability to apply lessons they learned immediately in their clubs.
The next step will be a dedicated Women on Board meeting in Rome ahead of the General Assembly, continuing the conversation between clubs and strengthening the pathway for women in football governance.
HJK’s Unique Youth Strategy
On World Youth Day (12 August) we celebrated HJK Helsinki, a club shaping the future of Finnish football. HJK has produced more professional players than any other Nordic club, thanks to full-time coaches, data-driven scouting and an academy focused on transitioning players aged 15–18 into the first team. Their work shows how long-term commitment to youth football can transform the national game.
ECA Clubs Learn UEFA Competitions Fate
August closed with major updates on qualification for European competitions. In the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, 91.67% of qualified teams are ECA members, including debutants Bodø/Glimt, Pafos, and Kairat.
In the Europa League, every club that qualified is an ECA member. In the Conference League, 94% of clubs are members, with teams such as Ħamrun Spartans, Legia Warszawa, and Lausanne-Sport reaching the league stage in dramatic fashion.
From women’s leadership to developing young talent and confirming our clubs’ dominance in UEFA competitions, August showed how ECA continues to tangibly support its members and drive the growth of football across Europe.