When sports specialists, club coaches, school representatives, and volunteers gather in one room to talk about youth retention, something shifts. That’s exactly what happened on 13 May 2025 in Sofia, where Levski – Sport for All hosted their local STAY! conference at the 166 Sports School “Vasil Levski”. The room wasn’t just full of presentations. It was full of questions, ideas, and shared determination.
With 58 participants and four sports at the centre of attention — judo, karate, rhythmic gymnastics, and water polo — the event felt like a snapshot of everything STAY! stands for: different disciplines, common challenges, and a joint goal to help young people remain active and involved.
The discussion wasn’t just about keeping kids in sport. It was about expanding the definition of what it means to belong.
Learning from experience
The conference kicked off with an overview of the pilot programs implemented in Bulgaria and the specific outcomes observed across the four sports. Each program brought its own story, but a shared message kept surfacing. When coaches, families, and school staff work together, young athletes get the support they need to grow — not just in performance, but as people.
That set the tone for a conversation on impact. It was clear that the programs had made a difference, and not just in numbers. They influenced confidence, relationships, and motivation.
There was also strong interest in adaptation. How can successful approaches in karate be used in athletics? Can the structure of a water polo mentoring scheme support kids in table tennis? The answer wasn’t simple, but the enthusiasm for trying was real.
Big takeaways, simple truths
One of the most important reflections came from coaches themselves. Having sports specialists actively involved in club life was described as essential, not optional. The group agreed that retention isn’t just about programming, but about people who show up and listen.
Another big theme was the role of schools and families. Time and again, participants highlighted how much it matters when parents understand why sport is important — even for a child who doesn’t want to compete.
Also, the EMCA Studia platform was mentioned as a practical tool for long-term support. Access to clear, ready-to-use materials is a game changer, especially for clubs that don’t have time to reinvent the wheel.
What happens next?
The conference wrapped up with clear, actionable suggestions to make sure the momentum doesn’t fade:
- Include STAY! pilot programs in annual planning so they don’t remain one-time projects
- Strengthen communication between sport sections and coaches to keep transitions smooth and athletes supported
- Give young people options to stay involved through mentorship, volunteering, or flexible roles when they leave competitive sport
- Share tools more widely so others can benefit from what’s already working, especially through EMCA Studia
A closing note
The atmosphere in Sofia was both professional and personal. There was a shared understanding that real change in youth retention doesn’t start with statistics — it starts with trust, community, and inclusion. Levski’s conference reminded everyone that the challenge is big, but so is the potential. And that sport, in all its forms, still has the power to bring people together, and to keep young people where they belong.
Download here:
Local Conference Levski presentation
