What does it mean to develop a young footballer? At Excelsior Rotterdam, the answer goes beyond technical skills, physical performance and results on the pitch.

As part of the EDU-DC project, we visited the club to learn more about its approach to dual development and how it supports young players in growing not only as athletes, but as people.

During the visit, we met with representatives of the academy, foundation and coaching staff to explore how Excelsior has gradually embedded personal, educational, social and psychological development into its talent pathway.

At the heart of this approach is a simple idea: before developing the player, develop the person.

Through its House of Talents programme, developed in collaboration with the Excelsior Foundation, the club creates opportunities for young players to build skills and experiences that can support them both during their football journey and beyond it.

The visit offered valuable insights into how dual development can become part of the culture of a football academy rather than simply an additional activity alongside training.

But what does that look like in practice? How does Excelsior involve coaches, support players through important transitions and create an environment where personal development and football performance strengthen one another?

Discover the full Excelsior Rotterdam Best Practice and take a closer look at the ideas behind their approach to developing the whole person.