October 22 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has held a series of educational workshops in Plovdiv and Gabrovo for players aged 14-15 in regional national teams, focusing on how to successfully combine football with education.
The initiative is part of EDU-DC, a European project funded by the Erasmus+ program and coordinated by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
As an active partner of EDU-DC, the BFU is working to implement frameworks that support the holistic development and education of young male and female footballers. The sessions in Plovdiv and Gabrovo brought these principles directly to young athletes at an early and crucial stage in their sports careers.
Under the theme “Double Career – Football and Education”, the meetings addressed everyday practical challenges faced by young players: managing time between training and school, preparing for matches and exams simultaneously and knowing where to look for guidance. The main message emphasized that education and personal growth complement sporting ambitions while broadening future opportunities.
The sessions presented the “dual career” approach as a comprehensive framework. Beyond on-field training and academic schooling, it includes health care and recovery, personal independence, financial literacy, interpersonal relationships and preparation for life after football. Key areas of focus include essential skills such as planning, effective communication and resilience – vital qualities in both the classroom and the field.
Through interactive question-and-answer sessions and case studies, participants were encouraged to identify potential obstacles and explore solutions. One scenario examined how to handle a high-stakes weekend game ahead of crucial school tests early the following week. Creating realistic schedules, proactive communication with teachers and coaches, and prioritizing adequate rest were highlighted as the foundation for achieving balance.
Particular emphasis was placed on the ‘off-field team’, a support network made up of family, school, club officials and specialists. Collaboration between these key figures is essential to creating an environment where young athletes can pursue their sporting goals while advancing their education.
The workshops included inspiring real-life examples such as Nadia Nadim, who successfully combined elite football with obtaining a medical degree, and Silvia Radoyska, who highlighted her experience as a player, coach and educator. Their stories demonstrated how perseverance and dedication to learning open diverse paths to long-term development.
The topic of dual careers was also the highlight of the EDU-DC international conference held at the BayArena in Leverkusen. Bringing together representatives of football federations, clubs, researchers and experts, the forum served as a platform to exchange best practices to support young people in sport and education. A key point from the conference underlined the need for individual and tailored approaches alongside the joint efforts of coaches, schools and families,” BFU said.
Contact the writer of this story, Alexander Krassimirov, at (email protected)
