The strength of the ECA Family has been apparent in this month’s series of ECA Club Meet-Ups. Given the social media hashtag #WeAreECA, the initiative is aimed at reaching all clubs across Europe, to empower them and foster connections to help ensure “a brighter future for club football in Europe and worldwide”.
February saw six ECA Meet-Ups – in Paris jointly with Foot Unis on 6 February; in Montenegro on 9 February; at the ECA Offices in Nyon, Switzerland on 14 February; in Bulgaria on 20 February; in Slovenia on 27 February; and in Gibraltar on 29 February - as ECA continued its programme of outreach and knowledge sharing.
Topics covered included: a detailed look at ECA, what it represents, its governance structure and its mission for all European football; an in-depth exploration of ECA services, emphasising its eight priority areas; and Q&A sessions.
Clubs who attended included: RC Lens, Stade Brestois 29, FC Nantes, OGC Nice, Olympique Lyonnais, Montpellier Hérault SC, AS Saint-Étienne, Paris Saint-Germain, Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace, AS Monaco FC, Toulouse FC, Olympique de Marseille, NK Aluminij, NK Bravo ,NK Maribor, NK Olimpija Ljubljana, NK Radomlje, PFC Arda Kardzhali 1924, PFC Botev Plovdiv, FC Etar VT, PFC Levski Sofia, NSA, CSKA 1948 Sofia, PFC CSKA-Sofia, PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1926, FC Lokomotiv Sofia 1929, PFC Ludogorets 1945, PFC Cherno More Varna, Montana, PFC Slavia Sofia, VfL Bochum 1848, FCB Magpies, Lincoln Red Imps FC, Europa FC, Europa Point FC, St Joseph’s FC, Gibraltar Wave FC, College 1975 FC, Lynx FC, and Mons Calpe FC.
The ECA Meet-Up series got underway in Armenia and Moldova in October; in November, meetings involved clubs from Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iceland; while in December clubs from North Macedonia were involved. The initiative, led by ECA’s Membership Department, aims to be a catalyst for positive change bringing clubs together, regardless of their size or background.
ECA Membership Project Leader, Jérémy Cottino, said:"The ECA Club Meet-Ups are the embodiment of what ECA is all about. The series is a natural extension of the work that we are already doing with our member clubs and is testament to our commitment to the growth and development of club football. As of today, ECA Membership has achieved a remarkable 89% growth since the start of the 2023/24 season with a membership composed of over 500 clubs. This now includes 100% membership in twelve countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, France, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Scotland, Slovenia, and Türkiye.
“We believe that unity and inclusivity are the keys to success. By bringing clubs together, we can collectively overcome challenges and embrace opportunities, ensuring a brighter future for club football in Europe and worldwide."
The ECA Meet-Ups also complement the Platform for Executive Consultation (PEC) meetings. These pan-European gatherings are a focused moment in the European club football calendar when ECA Administration meets with member clubs to engage in a true two-way conversation. It is an opportunity to listen to their needs and issues, while providing crucial updates on the services and advisory opportunities that ECA offers to its clubs.