The Danish Project by Global Football Training (GFT) was a pioneering, research-based journey that set out to reshape how the football world thinks about player development.

Founded and led by Danish youth coach Kenn Schmidt Nielsen, this ambitious initiative began in October 2010 with a single vision: to understand, compare, and synthesize the most effective football training methods from around the globe.

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Instead of relying on second-hand reports or limited local experience, Kenn made a bold decision — to embark on a three-year global tour, visiting some of the most respected clubs, academies, and grassroots programs on every continent.

His goal was simple yet profound: to identify what makes some football systems consistently produce intelligent, adaptable, and technically gifted players — and to bring those lessons back to coaches, educators, and communities worldwide.

 

The Origins of the Project: A Coach on a Mission

Kenn Schmidt Nielsen, a Danish youth coach with deep experience in grassroots and academy football, was driven by a fundamental question:
“Why do some countries consistently develop top-level footballers, while others—despite passion and potential—struggle to produce elite talent?”

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Dissatisfied with surface-level analysis and theory, Kenn took action. He self-funded his research, and set out across the world with a backpack, a camera, a notebook, and a fierce commitment to uncovering the truth — directly from the source. This was not a traditional scouting mission or a luxury football tour. It was an educational and cultural investigation — a search for long-term development strategies, coaching philosophies, and environmental influences that truly shape players from the ground up.

 

A Truly Global Football Education

Over the course of three years, Kenn visited more than 80 football institutions in over 25 countries across six continents, observing firsthand how different cultures approach the game.

Key Destinations Included:
Europe: Liverpool FC (England), FC Barcelona (Spain), Ajax (Netherlands), Benfica (Portugal), and academies in Germany, Italy, France, and Scandinavia.

Africa: Grassroots and elite academies in Egypt, Ghana, and South Africa, where football plays a central role in education and social development.

Asia: Clubs and youth programs in India, China, South Korea, and Japan, offering insights into structured learning, discipline, and technical rigor.

South America: Deep football cultures in Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, where creativity, flair, and community are foundational.

North America: U.S. Soccer programs, MLS academies, and community clubs across the United States and Mexico, examining emerging talent systems.

Australia: Youth development programs, national initiatives, and hybrid training models in a growing football culture.

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Each visit included meetings with coaches, directors, players, and educators — along with time spent watching training sessions, analyzing curricula, and understanding the social and cultural context in which football was being taught.

 

Beyond Football: A Cultural and Human Study

While tactical drills and session plans were essential, Kenn quickly discovered that culture played an even greater role in shaping footballers. The project’s scope evolved beyond the pitch to include factors such as:

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Education systems and how they complement athletic development

Nutrition and health philosophies among youth players

Discipline and freedom in learning — striking the balance between structure and creativity

Parental involvement in player development

Socioeconomic barriers to access and opportunity

Mental health, motivation, and self-expression in young athletes

By examining these human and cultural dimensions, the project became not just a study of football, but a study of youth, learning, and growth — through the lens of the world’s most beloved sport.

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Key Findings: What the World Can Learn

The insights gained from the Danish Project are as diverse as the locations visited, but several key themes emerged:

Game Intelligence Over Raw Talent
The best systems don’t just develop athleticism — they develop decision-makers. Players are encouraged to understand space, read the game, and think critically on the field from a young age.

Culture Shapes Playing Style
Whether it’s the flair of Brazil, the tactical discipline of Germany, or the creativity of Spain, football is a reflection of national identity. Great systems embrace and build upon these traits rather than copying foreign models blindly.

Coaching Education is Crucial
The most impactful academies invest as much in training their coaches as they do in training players. Mentorship, methodology, and continuous learning are essential for coaches to evolve alongside the game.

Environments Matter
Whether it’s the streets of Montevideo or the structured pitches of Tokyo, the environment in which a child grows up — physically and emotionally — significantly impacts their football development.

Success is Built Over Time
There are no shortcuts. The best results come from long-term, consistent investment in youth development. These programs are built on patience, trust, and community support.

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The Danish Project Today: Shaping the Future

The research, notes, photos, and interviews collected during this journey now form the backbone of Global Football Training’s coaching curriculum — already being implemented in training environments like the Global Football School USA in Charleston, SC.

Kenn’s findings continue to inspire a new generation of coaches and educators who believe in developing the whole player — technically, tactically, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

By applying globally-sourced wisdom to local environments, the Danish Project proves that elite development is not limited to footballing superpowers. It’s possible anywhere — with the right mindset, structure, and dedication.

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Looking Ahead

The Danish Project may have begun with a journey across the globe, but its mission is far from over. As football evolves, so too does our commitment to learning, adapting, and sharing knowledge.

Whether you’re a coach, player, parent, or club director, the lessons of the Danish Project can help reshape how we teach, train, and think about the game — not just for the next season, but for the next generation.