How HAŠK Mladost brought STAY! to life in Zagreb
In sport, some ideas don’t stay on paper. They turn into tutoring programmes, workshops, parent support groups, and young female coaches leading with passion and purpose. That spirit was on full display in Zagreb on 20 and 21 May 2025, when HAŠK Mladost hosted its STAY! events.
The first day featured the main STAY! conference at the Faculty of Kinesiology, where strategies to reduce youth dropout were explored through project insights and pilot programme results. The following day, the conversation continued at Sports Park Mladost, with a focused session for Women Sport Managers, designed to strengthen leadership and inclusive development within clubs.
Two days, two different formats, one shared goal — creating spaces where young people feel supported, inspired, and eager to stay in sport.
What did the events cover?
The conference began with an introduction to the STAY! project’s core mission, its methodology, and the results of desk research, focus groups, and the development of the e-learning platform.
But what truly resonated were the experiences from HAŠK’s pilot activities across multiple sports sections. These included mentorship programmes, tutoring support, recreational training options, and social media engagement roles for young volunteers. Participants shared honest reflections on what worked well, what could improve, and why it’s worth investing in inclusive, youth-centred approaches.
The second day placed the spotlight on women’s sport leadership. During the “Women Sport Managers” meeting, participants discussed how to promote inclusive policies, develop female role models, and build supportive environments for girls and women in sport organisations.
What were the key takeaways?
One big message was that volunteering can be a powerful retention tool. When young people are invited to referee, manage social media, or help organise events, they stay connected to sport even after they stop competing.
New career paths are also opening. Programmes like the Young Coaches Development Programme and content like Poolcast show young people that coaching, education, or club coordination are all valid and valuable roles.
Support structures matter. Peer and parent tutoring helped student-athletes manage school obligations while reinforcing their club identity.
Recreational training was another strong highlight. Non-competitive, flexible sessions created a welcoming space for young athletes to stay active without the pressure of performance.
Finally, leadership by women in sport was discussed as essential for creating long-term culture change — inclusive, safe, and empowering for the next generation.
What happens next?
Participants didn’t just listen. They made plans to act.
- Embed successful pilot activities, such as refereeing and tutoring, into everyday club operations
- Strengthen mentorship and peer learning in coaching and education roles
- Promote career awareness by using tools like Poolcast to show diverse sport pathways
- Share good practices across other clubs and sports via EMCA Studia
- Continue supporting female leadership as a pillar for inclusive club development
Why this matters
The HAŠK Mladost conference was more than a project milestone. It was a reminder that change happens locally, through people who care. When clubs make space for different types of engagement, when coaches listen, and when volunteers are valued, young people stay involved — not because they have to, but because they want to.
Download here:
Local Conference HAŠK presentation
