Save the Date: EDU-DC International Conference on Dual Career 2026

International Conference on Dual Career "How to Support Football Players on and off the pitch"

On 25 September 2026, football professionals, academy staff, coaches, dual career experts and talent development specialists from across Europe will gather at the iconic BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, for the final conference of the EDU-DC – Education for Dual Careers of Football Talents project.

The conference will bring together leading football organisations, researchers and practitioners to explore one key question: how can clubs better support the holistic development of young football players both on and off the pitch?

Throughout the day, participants will discover practical approaches, successful models and innovative methods that help talented footballers balance sporting ambitions with education, personal development and preparation for life beyond football.

About EDU-DC

The EDU-DC project supports talented football players aged 16–21 by strengthening the knowledge and competencies of the people who support them every day. Through a comprehensive educational programme, the project equips coaches, counsellors, dual career coordinators and other professionals with tools to help young athletes successfully combine football, education and personal development.

The project promotes a holistic approach to talent development, recognising that successful players are not only athletes, but individuals preparing for long-term success both within and beyond sport.

What to expect

The conference programme will begin with a plenary session bringing together experts from football, talent development and dual career support. Participants will also be introduced to the main outcomes of the EDU-DC project, including:

  • The graduation of Dual Career Coordinators from 16 participating pilot clubs
  • Findings from an international study on dual career best practices in football
  • Practical tools and educational resources developed throughout the project

During the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to join practical workshops led by organisations recognised for their expertise in talent development and dual career support. Representatives from leading football organisations and clubs will share real-life experiences, challenges and solutions that can be applied within different football environments to support both male and female football talents.

Confirmed speakers

The conference will bring together experienced professionals from football and dual career development, offering different perspectives on how clubs can better support players both on and off the pitch.

The conference will open with welcome words from Bayer Leverkusen as the host club.

Stephan Hakkers

Dual Career Expert, EDU-DC

Stephan Hakkers will share insights from international best practices in dual career support (SC Freiburg, RSC Anderlecht and FC Barcelona), highlighting approaches that football organisations can use to strengthen the development of young players beyond their sporting performance.

Ariël Jacobs

Keynote Speaker

With over four decades of experience in professional football, Ariël Jacobs has established himself as one of the most respected coaches in Belgium.

In his keynote, Jacobs will explore how football coaches can contribute to holistic talent development, looking beyond performance on the pitch and supporting the broader personal development of young players.

Further speakers will be announced as the conference programme is finalised.

Best Practice Workshops

SC Cambuur as a Frontrunner in the KNVB Pilot

By SC Cambuur & KNVB

Speakers:
Bart Goudswaard – Dual Career Coordinator, KNVB
Jan Hendrik de Roos – Elite Sport Coordinator, SC Cambuur

How can clubs help young players combine elite football with education, work and personal development?

This workshop presents the Dutch national Dual Development pilot from two perspectives: the strategic approach of KNVB and its practical implementation at SC Cambuur.

Participants will discover how the model works in practice, including the appointment of a Dual Career Coordinator, awareness sessions, partnerships with schools and individual support for players preparing for important transitions.

The session will highlight the importance of individual guidance and multidisciplinary support in helping young players build sustainable pathways both within and beyond football.

Speakers:
Wayne Cahill – Player Education Lead, The Football Association
Mark Walter – Player Care Manager, Arsenal

How can a national federation and a football club work together to provide consistent support for players?

This workshop explores the dual career strategies of The Football Association and Arsenal, focusing on how both organisations support players’ education, personal development and wellbeing.

Using the framework of what we do, why we do it and how we do it, the speakers will present the support provided within their respective environments and explain how this is coordinated as players transition on and off international duty.

The session will also address some of the practical challenges of supporting dual careers in elite football and demonstrate how effective communication and collaboration can create a more consistent and connected player experience.

Speakers:
Frank Ditgens – Head of Education, Bayer Leverkusen
Malte Kalsbach – Head of Innovation & Special Projects | Dual Career Lead, Bayer Leverkusen

Can completing school contribute to success in professional football?

Using examples including Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Montrell Culbreath, this workshop introduces Bayer Leverkusen’s pedagogical profile of a successful youth player and the five factors the club identifies as important for making the breakthrough.

Participants will discover concrete examples of how education and elite football can work together, including Kai Havertz’s tailored school timetable and Bayer Leverkusen’s Elite School of Football.

As educational systems and requirements differ significantly across Europe, the workshop will invite participants to reflect on the role of school education within their own countries and clubs. A short presentation will be followed by small-group discussions and shared reflection.

Speaker:
David Rincon – Sports Psychologist, Athletic Club Bilbao

Athletic Club Bilbao’s approach to talent development goes beyond sporting performance. One of its key pillars is GaraTHuz, the club’s holistic player development programme designed to support the personal growth of young footballers.

The ultimate goal is to help players become autonomous, responsible and well-rounded individuals capable of achieving sustainable performance both on and off the pitch.

This interactive workshop will focus specifically on identity development and social development. After an introduction to the GaraTHuz model, participants will take part in practical activities encouraging them to consider how experiences inside and outside football shape who young players are, who they want to become and how they relate to others.

Speakers:
Teresa Bernhard – Career Counselor (Women), TSG Hoffenheim
Jule Schneider – Career Counselor (Men), TSG Hoffenheim
Konstantin Notter – Educational Director, TSG Hoffenheim

Every player’s pathway is different – and dual career support should reflect that.

In this workshop, TSG Hoffenheim will highlight its partnership with Anpfiff ins Leben and explain how players are supported in the areas of school, university and the development of interests beyond football.

The workshop will focus on finding a personalised pathway outside football for each individual player. Together, participants will explore what effective individual support should include and how it can help players successfully pursue a dual career.

The session will also examine parental involvement. TSG Hoffenheim will demonstrate how an interactive digital platform is used to educate parents about their role in talent development and make them active partners in dual career support.

Speakers:
Jane Holden – Performance Wellbeing Lead, Women’s Super League
Maimee Titmuss-Morris – Senior Performance Lifestyle Manager, Arsenal

Financial wellbeing is becoming an increasingly important part of dual career and holistic athlete development.

Drawing on recent research from the Women’s Super League, this interactive workshop will explore how short-term contracts, career uncertainty and professional identity can influence players’ financial experiences.

Rather than looking only at financial literacy, the session will introduce a Psychological Financial Empowerment framework, combining individual financial capability with supportive environments, trusted relationships and organisational clarity.

These insights are informing a new league-wide financial empowerment programme launching across the WSL. Arsenal will bring the club perspective, demonstrating how financial wellbeing can be incorporated into a broader player development environment.

Through practical examples and discussion, participants will explore how clubs and practitioners can strengthen players’ financial confidence, wellbeing and long-term career sustainability.

After the lunch break, participants will take part in practical workshop sessions delivered by clubs and football organisations sharing their approaches to dual career and holistic talent development.

The workshop programme will bring together best practices from different football environments across Europe, including:

  • SC Cambuur together with the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB)
  • TSG Hoffenheim together with Anpfiff ins Leben
  • The Football Association (England) together with a Premier League club
  • Women’s Super League
  • Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
  • Athletic Club Bilbao (Spain)

Who should attend?

The conference is designed for professionals working in football, education and athlete support, including:

  • Football federation staff
  • Football academy staff
  • Coaches and coach educators
  • Heads of Academies
  • Heads of Talent Development
  • Career counsellors
  • Dual Career Coordinators
  • Lifestyle and study coaches
  • Sports psychologists
  • Dual Career experts and advisors
  • Football managers and agents
  • Representatives of sport federations and Olympic Committees

Secure Your Place

Click here

Participation in the EDU-DC Conference is free of charge, but registration is mandatory. With only 120 places available and a maximum of two representatives per organisation, early registration is recommended.

Practical Information

Date: Friday, 25 September 2026
Time: 10:00–18:00
Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany

Getting to BayArena

By public transport:
BayArena can easily be reached from Leverkusen Mitte station. From the station, you can walk to the stadium along the Dhünn or take bus 203 to the BayArena stop.

By car:
Several public parking areas are available around BayArena. For conferences and events, P5 is recommended for BayArena+, while the provided map also shows other parking areas and access routes. Some parking areas are free of charge, while others are paid.

Download the Getting to BayArena map

Accommodation

Participants are responsible for arranging and booking their own accommodation.

For those looking for accommodation in Leverkusen, the following hotels may be considered:

Please contact the hotels directly for information regarding availability, rates and reservations.

Contact

Do you have any questions about the conference, registration or practical arrangements?

Please contact Nika de Jong at nika.dejong@knvb.nl.

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