Mentoring Programme
The Finnish Football Players’ Association (FPA Finland) provides mentoring training for players. The aim is to equip experienced players, including those who may have already retired from professional football, with the knowledge and practical tools they need to mentor younger players.
The mentoring programme aims to connect young footballers, particularly those playing abroad, with experienced mentors and provide them with support and tools to deal with the challenges they may encounter during their football careers.
FPA Finland Player Development Manager Aku Tervaniemi:
“We have selected both male and female mentors who have played in dozens of countries and accumulated hundreds of senior international appearances between them. The idea is that the mentors participate in the programme on a voluntary basis, offering young players support throughout their football careers. The mentors also have access to professional supervision from the programme’s trainers.
“FPA Finland is also involved in the programme, and the young players can make use of the association’s support from Mental Health Online. The mentees are either young players based abroad or particularly talented players playing in Finland. Each of them is paired with their own mentor.”
“I wish I’d had an opportunity like this during my own career”
Hanna Ruohomaa, one of the 2025 mentors:
“My career included many teams and clubs, plenty of successes and great moments, but also failures and setbacks. A few times during my career, I received advice and support from older and more experienced players, who also pushed me to perform better and develop as a player.
“During my playing career, I tried to provide that same kind of support to younger players, and I’m more than happy to continue doing so now that my playing career is over. The mentoring programme is a fantastic way to put experienced players’ knowledge and experience to good use for players who are at the beginning of their careers. A big thank you to FPA Finland for this idea and the opportunity.”
2026 mentoring programme
In 2026, the mentoring programme includes a total of 10 experienced players or former players and 11 young mentees, who are either playing abroad or are highly promising young players based in Finland.
Mentors 2026: Niklas Moisander, Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Pekka Lagerblom, Tuija Hyyrynen, David Ramadingaye, Henri Toivomäki, Nora Heroum, Valtteri Moren, Paula Myllyoja, Joni Kauko
2025 mentoring programme
In 2025, the mentoring programme included a total of 12 experienced players or former players and 18 young mentees, who were either playing abroad or were highly promising young players based in Finland.
Mentors 2025: Jukka Raitala, Joona Toivio, Hanna Ruohomaa, Mika Ojala, Essi Sainio, Tim Väyrynen, Juhani Ojala, Mikko Sumusalo, Henrik Moisander, Sebastian Strandvall, Roope Riski, Ilari Äijälä
Passing it on: Finland's mentor programme helping young footballers find their feet abroad
Interested in joining FPA Finland’s mentoring programme as a mentor or mentee?
Get in touch with FPA Finland:
Aku Tervaniemi
+358 40 049 6093
aku.tervaniemi@jpy.fi
Timi Lahti
+358 44 046 8226
timi.lahti@jpy.fi
The mentoring programme has received funding for 2026 from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and Jalkapallosäätiö (the Finnish Football Foundation).
