We help football clubs and federations build stronger structures for youth development — through strategy, certification, and long-term thinking.
Drawing on extensive experience — both on and off the pitch — in building world-class systems for player training and development, the professionals behind YFM began defining the concept, the methodologies and the first consultancy project proposals in 2013.
YFM operates through a senior core team with decades of combined expertise in football development, academy management and sports strategy. For each engagement, that core is complemented by a purpose-built network of specialists — carefully selected from across the sports ecosystem to match the precise demands of the project. The result is always a team that is well-sized, highly qualified, and tailored to the work at hand.
Great football players are not only found. They are, essentially, developed. And behind every great development programme, there is a structure — a strategy, a process, a culture — that makes talent grow in the right direction. That is what YFM was built to create. We bring the knowledge and experience of world-class football programmes to every club, federation and organisation we work with — not as a blueprint to be copied, but as a foundation to be adapted, owned and sustained by those who live and breathe the game every day. We work alongside our clients — supporting and strengthening, never replacing. Our measure of success is simple: the results our clients achieve.
Design, implementation and ongoing management of quality assurance frameworks for football academies and sports federations — nationally and internationally.
Strategic advisory for clubs and academies worldwide — from diagnostic and vision setting to full development plans and implementation support.
Long-term player development frameworks, methodology design, and coaching education programmes aligned with international best practices.
Strategic and operational consulting for national and international football federations — from talent development schemes to governance and structural reform.
Adapting proven football certification and development models to other sports federations, bringing rigour and methodology to new disciplines.
High-level strategic planning for public and institutional clients — including national sports development plans and cross-sport governance frameworks.
Designed and managed Portugal's national club academy certification framework — covering 1,500+ club academies annually across football and futsal. This model also forms the basis for YFM's international certification work with football federations beyond Portugal.
Seven-year collaboration with FIFA's Talent Development Scheme (TDS), supporting football federations worldwide in strengthening their youth development structures.
First multi-sport expansion of the YFM certification model, fully implemented and operational since 2020.
Invited by the Portuguese Government to join the restricted working group that created Portugal's first-ever National Sports Development Plan.
Strategic consulting engagements for football clubs and academies across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
Beyond football, YFM has expanded its certification model into other sports. The Portuguese Golf Federation launched its own programme in 2020 and is now in full implementation. Certification development processes are currently under study with several other national sports federations in Portugal.
Great work is never done alone. Everyone who joins us on a project becomes, for that moment and beyond, a part of what YFM stands for.
Our latest projects, insights and news about youth football development and sports strategy are published regularly on our LinkedIn page. Follow us to stay up to date.
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