Football business: a strategic review of effective strategic planning, implementation and measurement of a youth football framework

Football is a complex and dynamic sport, the fluidity of the game influenced by constantly changing variables on and off the field, the challenge for leaders is to simultaneously facilitate performance, participation, and personal development. The transition between the sampling years and specialising years experiences greatest dropout thus requiring an understanding of the football environment. This study aims to establish the elements necessary for effective strategic planning and implementation of a Youth Football Framework by exploring the processes involved in stakeholder engagement to foster future collaborative relationships which recognise the value of football. Through a mixed methods approach which takes youth football in Northern Ireland as a case study, the five-step outcomes-based accountability (OBA) model explored the processes, practices, knowledge, and structures that influence youth football. A rapid review, analysis of secondary data (n = 22418) and focus groups (n = 279) were interpretated using thematic analysis to establish trends and inform recommendations. Common issues included the need for improved communications, regional consistency and fairness in delivery. The findings pointed to four themes requiring cultural change to progress youth football: Governance; Education; Environment and Active Game. Each theme underpinned by three principles: Inclusion, Transparency and Equity, with independence incorporated into oversight, inclusive of measurable objectives from which to evaluate impact, promote clarity and measure stakeholder contribution. This study provides a road map for the strategic planning, implementation and measurement of youth football, globally validating the adoption of OBA as a suitable model for sport.