Finnish football boosts research collaboration – Mihaly Szerovay to continue as a professor of practice until 2028
Mihaly Szerovay was appointed to this position in 2020 and will continue in his role, aiming to develop knowledge-based management and research networks in Finnish football and futsal.
“This work is a long-term endeavour, and I’m very excited to continue in this role for a further three years. National and international stakeholders in both football and academia have expressed great satisfaction with the initiatives of the first years,” says Szerovay.
The collaboration has produced several operational models and instruments that provide new information and offer new opportunities for students, researchers, and football and futsal practitioners to meet. These include the research database of Finnish football and futsal, a thesis project protocol, the Football through an academic lens study unit, the Science Meets Practice event, and the joint publication of the Football Association’s information analyses in the JYU Reports publication series. The research database is open to all, and its data can be used to develop coaching, for instance.
Additionally, JYU and the Football Association of Finland are actively investing in enhancing Nordic research cooperation. The first Nordic Football Research Conference took place in Jyväskylä in 2022, and the second conference was held in Reykjavik this year. The next conference will take place in Odense, Denmark. Furthermore, Szerovay has co-edited the book Football in the Nordic Countries, in which 31 authors review regional football research.
Szerovay sees his role as a builder of bridges: “The aim is to establish developed operational models and strengthen the Football Association’s cooperation with other higher education institutions.”
Collaboration strengthens international networks and sets a positive example for other sports
Aki Hyryläinen, Director of Sports at the Football Association of Finland, says that the decision to continue was a natural one.
“The professorship in practice has already produced a lot of new information to support the development of football and futsal in Finland during the first agreement period. In the future, the aim is also to further strengthen the international network”, says Hyryläinen.
President of the Football Association of Finland Ari Lahti agrees:
“The professorship of practice has strengthened the Football Association’s knowledge-based activities, developed the expertise of the football community, and promoted the international exchange of knowledge,” says Lahti. “These measures have increased the value of football as a lifelong activity and supported the career prospects of Finnish players.”
Vesa Linnamo, the new dean of the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, believes that this collaboration sets a positive example for other sports.
“I’m especially delighted to see that this cooperation has attracted additional external funding, and that the research work has been active,” says Linnamo. “I’m looking forward to seeing what will be achieved in the future.”
Professor of Practice Szerovay is responsible for organising knowledge management within the Football Association of Finland, working alongside the organisation’s research and development personnel in accordance with the football and futsal strategy (2025–2028). His responsibilities also include developing education activities. He participates in the University’s ongoing projects and in acquiring additional funding for research and development.
Further information:
Mihaly Szerovay
University of Jyväskylä, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
mihaly.m.szerovay@jyu.fi, +358 50 351 5445
Aki Hyryläinen
Director of Sports, Football Association of Finland
+35840 0200878, aki.hyrylainen@palloliitto.fi
Video on the cooperation: https://youtu.be/w7snuFstTTM
Additional information about the cooperation: https://www.jyu.fi/fi/liikunta/yhteistyo/palloliitto
Additional information about knowledge-based management in the Finnish Football Association: https://www.palloliitto.fi/palloliitto/missio-visio-ja-strategia?tab=tiedolla-johtaminen
