Martjin from EMCA on Building a Stronger Future for Sport Clubs Across Europe – STAY!

What happens when the voices of local clubs and the reach of a European network come together for a common goal?

That’s exactly what we explored in this conversation with Martjin from EMCA – the European Multisport Clubs Association. As one of the key partners in the STAY project, EMCA brought its experience, connections and vision to help amplify the message that young people should have more than one way to stay involved in sport.

We spoke with Martjin about EMCA’s role in the project, the impact it has had across the EMCA network, and what comes next.

What was EMCA’s role in the STAY project?

EMCA was primarily responsible for coordinating Work Package 4, which focused on communication and dissemination. Our job was to make sure the project’s results were not just documented but shared meaningfully—with clubs, coaches, and stakeholders across Europe. That included promoting good practices, connecting project partners with new audiences, and facilitating the exchange of ideas.

We also worked closely with partners like HAŠK Mladost, UNICAS, Lazio, Levski, and TSV Bayer 04, helping them present their work to the wider EMCA community. One of our highlights was organising the dedicated STAY Conference during our annual EMCA CONNECT Days, where all members could learn from the pilot activities and contribute their own insights.

Why did EMCA decide to support a project focused on preventing youth drop-out from sport?

Because the numbers speak for themselves. Youth drop-out, especially between the ages of 13 and 20, is one of the biggest threats to grassroots sport. EMCA’s mission is to strengthen multisport clubs across Europe, and we knew we had to be part of a project that addressed that challenge head-on.

The STAY project gave us an opportunity to promote solutions: improving coach education, creating more inclusive and flexible club structures, and showing young people that there’s a place for them in sport—on or off the field.

How did EMCA contribute to connecting and supporting the pilot clubs?

Besides being involved in all project meetings and dissemination efforts, our biggest contribution was providing a platform for visibility and knowledge exchange. We hosted dedicated sessions during EMCA conferences, where clubs could present their work, get feedback, and inspire one another. This encouraged a sense of ownership and momentum that continued even beyond the immediate project partners.

How did EMCA facilitate knowledge sharing during the STAY pilot actions?

The most direct example was the STAY Conference held during the EMCA CONNECT event. We presented the project outcomes to all our member clubs and followed that with a roundtable discussion. That session sparked a lot of interest—so much that several non-partner clubs asked if they could translate the STAY e-learning platform into their own languages and use it in their local contexts.

This wasn’t just dissemination—it was the beginning of a ripple effect.

What impact has the STAY project had across the EMCA network?

The impact has been meaningful and multi-layered. We’ve seen:

• Enhanced coach education: More clubs now understand how to approach youth engagement with long-term thinking.
• Policy development: The project encouraged clubs to formalise their efforts to retain young people.
• Stakeholder engagement: From volunteers to administrators, more people are involved in shaping club life.

From a personal point of view, I’d say the most valuable outcome is the cultural shift. Clubs are no longer thinking only about competition—they’re thinking about how to support young people holistically. That’s what will sustain sport for the next generation.

How will EMCA support the continuation of STAY’s practices beyond the project?

The key is EMCA Studia, our digital knowledge library. We’re including the STAY e-learning platform and all related resources there, so they’ll remain accessible to all EMCA members—and even beyond. Any organisation interested in preventing youth dropout in sport will be able to benefit from what we’ve learned.

We see this not as a project that ends, but as a foundation that we’ll keep building on.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the people, clubs and ideas behind STAY! Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive, flexible, and future-ready sport landscape across Europe.