Danish football association to ensure children live within an hour of training centres

A new regional football centre in Vejen, southern Denmark, will become the ninth such facility nationwide under a Danish Football Association (DBU) initiative to place training hubs within an hour’s travel for all children, the national broadcaster DR reports.

DBU president Jesper Møller and Vejen mayor Christian Lund signed the agreement Thursday, securing a 220 million kroner centre funded primarily by the A.P. Møller Foundation (200 million kroner), with DBU covering the remainder. The site will include digital-equipped training facilities and a clubhouse for instruction and community use.

Møller emphasised the centres must serve broader youth sports beyond football. “It’s crucial these hubs are close to children and open to all—whether they play football, handball, badminton, or anything else,” he said.

While Vejen Municipality avoids construction costs, it will assume maintenance duties—a commitment that concerns Dorte Bjerregaard Kristensen, chair of Vejen Gymnastics Association, the town’s largest sports club. “DBU isn’t footing the entire bill. The municipality is contributing, and I worry how that affects other sports,” she told DR.

Mayor Lund countered that the centre would draw visitors to Vejen, potentially boosting local settlement. “We hope this inspires more people to move here,” he said.

The DBU’s network of nine regional centres aims to reverse declining youth participation in organised sports by improving access to modern facilities.