Initial meeting between LaLiga grassroots football bosses is a huge success

Villarreal's Pamesa Ceramica Training Ground played host to a historic moment in Spanish grassroots football. Taking advantage of the 25th LaLiga Promises tournament, those responsible for LaLiga clubs' youth categories held a first meeting with the objective of agreeing the criteria for player development and training. Most of the Liga BBVA and Liga Adelante clubs attended the event and actively took part in this first meeting, which was led by Raul Gonzalez, LaLiga's country manager for the USA, and Fernando Sanz, LaLiga's director for the Middle East, North Africa and International Projects.

"We must unite, stick together and defend all the hard work that we do in terms of player development. The aim of this forum is to gather the opinions of LaLiga clubs in order to continue moving forward, because the Spanish system could, more than likely, be improved in many ways and be exported to the US and other markets. This meeting was a good start. If we remain united, we'll be able to overcome our difficulties and improve on what we have here, which is an example to the rest of the world," Raul Gonzalez told those in attendance.

"Spanish coaches are the best in the world. We're an example on the international stage in terms of player development. Increasingly, LaLiga coaches and trainers are required on the projects that we develop in different countries," highlighted Fernando Sanz, who looked back over LaLiga's international projects and their influence on the international stage.

As part of this first meeting, Major League Soccer (MLS) technical director, Alfonso Mondelo, outlined the current footballing landscape in the USA, its development in recent years and its grassroots structure. "Spanish clubs are an example to us. LaLiga is one of the most experienced, highly valued and competitive leagues. We also understand that this work is crucial to the academies and we're sure that MLS and LaLiga can move forward together in our mutual development," said Mondelo.

Some of the other topics discussed were those of player protection, how the different competitions are structured at all levels and the role of families and football agents in the process. There will be further meetings over the coming months to continue the work that began with this first get together which kicked off a project to develop the work of Spanish grassroots football, whilst maintaining the formative identity of each and every LaLiga club.