Spot The Spark
Talent Identification & Development Workshop
An interactive half-day workshop where young athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts (16-30) learn directly from industry professionals about talent identification, career pathways, and what it really takes to succeed in sport.
About the Workshop
What separates a good player from a pro? Is it talent? Hard work? Or is there something else scouts look for that most players never understand?
"Spot The Spark" was designed to answer those questions.
This workshop brought together 20+ young people and 4 industry experts for an honest, unfiltered conversation about talent identification, academy pathways, and the realities of building a career in sport.
In an intimate semi-circle setting, participants heard from:
🎤 Jonathan – Elite Scout, KV Mechelen
🎤 Christophe Van Pottelsberghe – Academy Director, Royal Knokke FC
🎤 Bjorn De Wilde – Ex-Professional Footballer
🎤 Godwill Moraka – Elite Coach
No lectures. No filters. Just real talk from people who’ve lived it.
What Participants Experienced
| 🔍 The Scout’s Eye | 🧠 The Academy Pathway | 💪 The Pro Mindset | 🗺️ Career Roadmap |
|---|---|---|---|
| What scouts look for beyond technique | How academies develop talent | Handling pressure, setbacks, and success | Actionable steps to build your future |
Plus: Panel discussion, live Q&A, networking with professionals and peers.
Speakers
Christophe Van Pottelsberghe
Academy Director, Royal Knokke FC
With decades of experience in football and leadership, Christophe shared insights on academy pathways, player development, and the mindset required to go from talent to professional.
Godwill Moraka
Elite Coach
Bringing practical coaching wisdom, Godwill focused on what it takes to be coachable, how to handle feedback, and why the best players are also the best learners.
Bjorn De Wilde
Ex-Professional Footballer
Bjorn opened up about the highs and lows of a professional career – the pressure, the setbacks, and the lessons he wishes he’d known at 18.
Jonathan Setodji
Elite Scout, KV Mechelen
Jonathan gave participants a rare look behind the curtain of professional scouting – what he notices in the first five seconds, what makes a player memorable, and what kills a player's chances.
What’s Next?
This was just the beginning.
The second workshop, "The Digital Playbook" – Sport & Technology, takes place on 26 April 2026 in Ghent.
Day Schedule
8 August 2026
09:00
Gates Open & Team Arrival
Registration, changing rooms open, warm-up available. Club liaisons welcomed by DIALI staff. Squad lists verified.
10:00
Opening Ceremony & First Kick-Off
Official opening, flag parade, simultaneous first matches begin on both pitches.
10:00–13:30
Group Stage — Morning Session
All 12 group stage matches played across both pitches. Each team plays 3 matches of 20 minutes (2×10 min, stopped clock). Every team guaranteed 3 games before break.
13:30–14:30
Lunch Break & Group Stage Results
Catering available on site. Group standings confirmed. Semi-final and play-off matchups announced. Bracket displayed at both pitches.
14:30
Semi-Finals (Simultaneous)
Pitch 1: 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B · Pitch 2: 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A. 20 minutes each (stopped clock). Penalty shootout if level.
15:15
5th Place Play-off & 3rd Place Play-off (Simultaneous)
Pitch 1: 3rd Group A vs 3rd Group B (5th place play-off) · Pitch 2: Semi-final Loser 1 vs Semi-final Loser 2 (3rd place play-off).
16:30
🏆 DIALI Cup Grand Final
Both pitches cleared. Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2. All spectators and scouts gathered for the showpiece match of the tournament.
17:30–18:00
Awards Ceremony
Trophy presentation, Player of the Tournament, Best XI, Fair Play Award. Official close of the 1st DIALI International Youth Tournament.
Participating Countries
5 Countries. One Tournament.
🇧🇪Belgium - Confirmed
🇳🇱Netherlands - In Talks
🇫🇷France - In Talks
🇩🇪Germany - Outreach
🇱🇺Luxembourg - Outreach
Tournament Venue
Park Groot Schijn
Address 📍
Ruggeveldlaan 488, 2100 Deurne, Antwerp, Belgium
Pitches ⚽
2 full-size outdoor natural grass pitches available simultaneously throughout the day.
Facilities 🚿
Changing rooms with showers included for all teams. Additional changing rooms available on request
Getting There 🚌
15 minutes from Antwerp Central Station by bus. Parking available on site for team buses and coaches.