“Sometimes, in the quest to find future stars, the importance of grassroots can get overshadowed, which we must actively seek to avoid," said Roxburgh in his opening remarks.

"Producing professional players is a byproduct of these efforts. There are many benefits to be derived, most importantly helping the future generation grow into socially well-rounded individuals through tenets of discipline, social inclusion, and a healthy lifestyle."

Emphasising the importance of a positive outcome for children in their first encounter with the game, the programme included insightful presentations from representatives of Leeds Beckett University (LBU) who shared valuable information from their research on the topic of “Attracting Children to Football”.

The findings touched upon the subjects of improving recruitment and retention of young footballers, while also exploring the most common reasons behind children discontinuing their association with the sport which ranged from high expectations from coaches to increasing academic pressure.

“Over 81 percent of adolescents worldwide don’t meet the required amount of physical exercise that is mandated by the World Health Organization. Encouraging children to participate in sports can significantly address this issue,” explained Sergio Lara-Bercial, Professor of Sports Coaching and Youth Sports at LBU.

“It is important for clubs and schools to implement a positive climate to help children thrive and stay in the sport by considering different motivations and exploring different ways to deliver the sport, ensuring it caters to participants across different ages and stages.”

A particularly interesting segment of the presentation was the UEFA-Disney Playmakers Programme, an innovative approach to introduce girls aged 5 to 8 to football through storytelling and imaginative play using beloved Disney characters.

It also laid stress on ways to reduce dropout rates among girls by encouraging coaches to build relationships and fostering a sense of belonging, ensuring all children, regardless of ability can experience the joy of playing football.

The programme also showcased several case studies from nations such as Japan and Iceland where grassroots football and coach education have played pivotal roles in their international success.

The session concluded with updates on the AFC Grassroots Charter, which now boasts 42 Member Associations (MAs) under its fold, with nine MAs each under the Gold and Silver levels, and 24 MAs endorsed under Bronze.