Malmö FF remains the only club with the maximum seven stars as the results of the 2024 certification for club academies are made official. AIK stands alone with six stars. Five clubs achieved five stars, with Helsingborgs IF moving back up to that level. Below are the full results of the 2024 certification.
The clubs certified include the 32 elite football clubs within the Unicoach network as well as clubs from Ettan Fotboll that expressed interest. The model, developed by Swedish Professional Football Leagues (SEF) in collaboration with the clubs, aims to make Swedish football more competitive internationally over time. The primary goal is not to determine the “best” academy but rather to provide each academy with a measure of its performance and a reference point for areas to improve in upcoming seasons.
“The certification sets requirements for clubs to continuously develop themselves. The idea is also for the certification model to evolve each year. This year, we raised the standards in several areas, so even if some clubs scored lower, they have still made progress. Improving scores requires consistent steps and development, which benefits Swedish football across the board,” says Thomas Hasselgren, academy developer at Swedish Professional Football Leagues.
Certification Criteria and Highlights
The certification evaluates ten different operational areas. Compared to last year, 13 SEF clubs improved their scores, with four of them—Helsingborgs IF, GAIS, Trelleborgs FF, and Västerås SK—earning an additional star. As in previous years, Malmö FF remains the sole club with the maximum seven stars.
“Achieving a strong result in the certification requires consistent work across the entire organization. We evaluate numerous aspects of operations, and compliance is checked against the documentation submitted by the clubs. We hope clubs see the certification as an opportunity to develop and improve over time,” Hasselgren adds.
Another trend noted is the development of elite-level coaches from within the academies. This has had a positive impact on Swedish football, as younger, ambitious coaches are given opportunities. However, when academy staff move up, it can temporarily affect certification scores if they are not immediately replaced.
The certification effort is supported by Unibet, the main partner of elite football in Sweden.
“The certification highlights the high quality within elite football academies. Swedish football has great potential to become even more competitive internationally, and we’re proud to contribute to that journey. Through an annual allocation of approximately 18 million SEK, we provide clubs with the resources to professionalize their work further and develop future stars,” says David Tezera, Sponsorship Manager at Unibet.
Goals of Certification
The certification ensures quality in player development, identifies areas for improvement, and emphasizes the importance of coach education. A critical focus area is the transition of players from the academy to the senior team.
Clubs undergo an on-site certification visit every two years, lasting two days, where evaluators ensure that the club’s documentation aligns with its actual operations. Additionally, an annual digital certification meeting is held after each season.
The maximum score in the certification is 10,000 points.
Results for the 2024 Certification
| Club | Total points | Ammount of stars |
| Malmö FF | 9347 | 7 |
| AIK | 8285 | 6 |
| IF Brommapojkarna | 7874 | 5 |
| Hammarby IF | 7334 | 5 |
| IFK Göteborg | 7300 | 5 |
| IFK Norrköping | 7039 | 5 |
| Helsingborgs IF | 7028 | 5 |
| Djurgårdens IF | 6355 | 4 |
| BK Häcken | 6051 | 4 |
| Mjällby AIF | 5834 | 3 |
| IF Elfsborg | 5696 | 3 |
| Landskrona BoIS | 5666 | 3 |
| Kalmar FF | 5610 | 3 |
| GIF Sundsvall | 5399 | 3 |
| Östers IF | 5328 | 3 |
| IK Sirius | 5319 | 3 |
| Halmstad BK | 5313 | 3 |
| Västerås SK | 5259 | 3 |
| Trelleborgs FF | 5240 | 3 |
| Degerfors IF | 4886 | 2 |
| Skövde AIK | 4731 | 2 |
| Örebro SK | 4242 | 2 |
| IK Brage | 4222 | 2 |
| GAIS | 4207 | 2 |
| Varbergs BoIS | 4029 | 2 |
| Örgryte IS | 3533 | 1 |
| Östersunds FK | 3129 | 1 |
| IFK Värnamo | 3046 | 1 |
| Utsiktens BK | 2976 | 1 |
| Sandvikens IF | 2919 | 1 |
Facts About the Certification
- Purpose: SEF conducts an annual certification of member clubs in the Unicoach network to evaluate and develop their academies.
- Scope: All aspects of youth operations are reviewed and scored.
- Process: SEF’s academy developers and certifiers, including Thomas Hasselgren, Jimmy Högberg, Stefan Olofsson, Thomas Westerberg, Hans Lindbom, and John Wall, visit the clubs and their academies.
The certification process began in 2010, focusing on youth development for players aged 10–19. In 2014, clubs outside SEF were invited to participate. The current model, introduced in 2022, allows for a maximum of 10,000 points and seven stars.
