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Scouting is carried out systematically. Ajax currently has a database of thousands of young
players. These have been filed according to age and field position. Specific characteristics
are also included. The scouting work is aimed at both the youth and the professional
section.
Every year, 30 to 45 young players are picked and invited to enter the Ajax youth training
programme. In addition to this, in the last five years an average of 15 older players (of
age 14 and upwards) have been invited to join the programme.
Strategy towards players
Ajax's first team selection currently comprises 25 players (see 'Selection first and second
team'). The average remaining term of contract is 3.5 years. Ajax aims to have a squad
where two players are available for each position in the field, with an extra added player
for each line (defence, midfield and attack). This results in a squad of 25 ('the 'A'
selection'). In addition to the 25 players for the first team, Ajax has another 16 players
under contract. These are young, talented players, who mostly play in the second team or
highest youth team, and are expected in time to be able to make it to the first eleven.
Generally there is very great demand for players who do not become regular first team
players, both from clubs in the Netherlands and abroad.
Ajax employs 6 technical staff members for the first team, working directly under the
Director of Professional Football.
Supporter management
The Ajax supporters can be divided into the following categories:
Season ticket holders and holders of certificates which give the right to seats (a total
of around 42,000 seats).
Members of the Supporters Association (around 75,000).
Holders of the 'Club card' (over 28,000).
Other supporters.
With regard to supporter management, Ajax aims to meet the justified expectations,
wishes and demands of the supporters, to increase the number of supporters and to
guarantee the safety of the supporters.
Supporter management by the Company has three lines of approach:
1. Policy aimed at more contact;
2. Public order and safety;
3. Social preventive policy.
The policy aimed at more contact tries to create a bond, involvement and support. The
most important means used to achieve this are the Supporters Association and the Client
Service Department, where supporters can obtain all the information they need and
discuss ideas, suggestions and complaints. The club card system is also used to this
effect. Registration of spectators can be done through this system. The KNVB demands
that supporters must have a club card to buy tickets for any Ajax game. Furthermore, there
is a 'good atmosphere' team, in which all groups of supporters (Supporters Association,
business club, F-side, etc.) are represented.
Communication with supporters is done through RTL Teletext, Ajax Magazine, Ajax Life and
Kick-off, the free programme which is issued for each game.
In connection with public order and safety, the following measures have been
implemented:
The Ajax safety co-ordinator produces a scenario with various parties including the
police, the city and the opposing club.
A large, well-organised and trained group of stewards is used for every game.
Spectators can be registered through the club card system. Stadium bans can be
effected through the invalidation of the club card and through the automated entry-
check system.