ScoutDecision Joins European Commission’s Erasmus 2027 Program with DAFNE Project
At ScoutDecision, we are excited to announce a major milestone: our participation in the European Commission's Erasmus 2027 program. We’ve been selected as a key partner in the innovative DAFNE project, which stands for "Data Analysis and Dual Career: New Paths for Football Athletes." This project represents a significant step forward in addressing the dual career challenges faced by football athletes, particularly those who are less advantaged. As the demand for data analysis in football continues to grow, DAFNE aims to empower athletes by equipping them with crucial skills that extend beyond the pitch and open up valuable career opportunities. The Growing Challenge of Dual Careers in Football Dual careers - where athletes must balance their athletic pursuits with academic or professional development - are increasingly becoming a crucial issue in the world of sports. Athletes, especially those at lower levels, often face uncertainty about their futures once their sporting careers come to an end. The transition from professional sports to a new career path can be challenging, leaving many athletes without the necessary skills to succeed off the pitch. This issue is particularly relevant in football, where the careers of players are often short and subject to unpredictability. While top-level players may secure lucrative contracts, the majority of footballers will face a career that ends in their 30s, with many lacking the skills and qualifications necessary to smoothly transition into a new profession. In fact, studies show that athletes who do not prepare for life after sports can face higher levels of anxiety, depression, and financial instability. The DAFNE Project: A Solution for a Pressing Problem The DAFNE project aims to tackle these challenges head-on by focusing on the development of data analysis skills - an area that is rapidly gaining importance in modern football. Data Analysts are increasingly in demand within the sports industry, particularly in football, where data-driven decisions play a critical role in performance enhancement, strategy development, and player recruitment. The objectives of the DAFNE project are clear: Improving Athletes' Skills: DAFNE aims to provide football players with the necessary skills to analyze performance data related to football matches. These skills will equip athletes with expertise that is highly valuable in the current labor market, offering them a concrete career path after their playing days are over. Optimizing Time Management and Planning: The project seeks to find the best models for time management and planning in the life of a football player. This includes helping athletes balance their sports commitments with their education or other professional pursuits, making it easier for them to manage a dual career effectively. Piloting a Hybrid Educational Methodology: DAFNE will test a hybrid educational approach, combining non-formal education (NFE) modules with a digital in-game simulator. This innovative method will enhance learning outcomes by providing realistic, hands-on experience in data analysis, giving athletes the tools to better understand and manage performance data. Our Role in the DAFNE Project ScoutDecision is honored to play a vital role in this project, alongside a prestigious consortium of partners that includes: Federația Română de Fotbal (Romanian Football Federation) Hypex NGO Nest Berlin NK Interblock Ljubljana Universidad de Murcia Associação de Futebol de Bragança (AFB) Our expertise in data-driven football solutions will be instrumental in developing training modules and tools that athletes can use to build careers as Data Performance Analysts. ScoutDecision will also contribute to the creation of an e-learning platform and an in-game simulator, both of which are designed to provide football players with practical experience and knowledge in data analysis. Delivering Key Outcomes for Football and Society The DAFNE project is designed to deliver several key outcomes that will have a lasting impact on football athletes and the broader sports community. These include: A Handbook containing a curriculum on the technical skills and requirements needed for the Data Performance Analyst role, along with insights into the labor market for this profession. A Recommendation Report for sports institutions, offering models and tools to support athletes in managing dual careers effectively. An E-Learning Platform that will offer a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) to help athletes learn the fundamentals of data analysis and performance evaluation. An In-Game Simulator that will provide realistic scenarios for athletes to practice data analysis and extract meaningful insights from match data. These outcomes will contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive environment for football players, ensuring that they are better equipped to navigate the complexities of dual careers and transition smoothly into new professions. Looking Ahead We hope that through the DAFNE project, we can make a significant impact on this major issue in football player careers by combining innovative technology and targeted education. By helping athletes develop valuable skills in data analysis, we aim to support their successful dual careers both on and off the pitch. This project aligns perfectly with our mission at ScoutDecision: to provide data-driven solutions that enhance the careers of football professionals, whether on the field or beyond. We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful initiative and look forward to the positive outcomes that DAFNE will bring to the football community. If you'd like to learn more about the DAFNE project or how ScoutDecision can help support dual careers in football, please feel free to reach out to us.
P.S. For 2 months, the ScoutDecision team collected testimonials from scouts in our network about their jobs, the tools they use, etc. Now you can read the results for free here: Football Scouting Survey 2024
