Publishing Guidelines

Last updated: January 05, 2025

YARD Hub is dedicated to fostering high-quality content in football leadership, management, and sustainability development. While we are not a scientific journal publisher, we maintain high standards for the submissions we publish. Our goal is to provide a platform for valuable contributions that influence the growth of football management practices globally as important part of our mission. Accordingly, as basic rule, YARD Hub will never charges for publishing. We are committed to providing a free and open platform for knowledge sharing in the football community, considering the followings:

YARD Hub Publishing Objectives:

At YARD Hub, our primary objective is to foster the growth and development of football management through the publication of high-quality, research-driven content. Our publishing platform serves as a space for professionals, enthusiasts, and scholars to share insights, experiences, and knowledge that contribute to the advancement of football practices at all levels.

The key objectives of YARD Hub’s publishing efforts are:

Promote Knowledge Sharing and Thought Leadership: YARD Hub aims to create a platform where individuals and organizations can share their research, experiences, and best practices in football management. We strive to highlight innovative solutions, emerging trends, and effective strategies that can help improve the sport, both on and off the field.

Support Evidence-Based Decision Making: Our publications aim to provide data-driven insights and research that inform decision-making in football management. We focus on high-quality, evidence-based content that helps managers, coaches, and administrators make informed choices that benefit their teams, organizations, and communities.

Foster Collaboration and Professional Growth: By providing a space for professionals in the football industry to publish their work, YARD Hub encourages collaboration and knowledge exchange across various sectors of the sport. Our platform is designed to support professional growth by showcasing diverse perspectives and experiences, empowering individuals to enhance their skills and expertise.

Advance Football Sustainability: Sustainability is a core principle of YARD Hub’s mission. We prioritize content that addresses sustainability within football management, including topics like grassroots development, community engagement, environmental responsibility, and equitable access to the sport. Our goal is to support initiatives that create a lasting, positive impact on the football ecosystem.

Ensure High-Quality, Relevant Content: While YARD Hub is not a scientific journal, we maintain high standards for the content we publish. We seek submissions that are original, well-researched, and written in a clear, accessible style. All content should align with YARD Hub’s goals and contribute to the broader discussion of football management and development.

Provide a Platform for Diverse Voices: YARD Hub is committed to inclusivity, ensuring that a diverse range of voices from different backgrounds, regions, and levels of the football ecosystem are represented. We encourage submissions that reflect the varied experiences of individuals and organizations involved in football, from grassroots to professional levels.

Facilitate Impactful Research and Innovation: We aim to publish works that push the boundaries of traditional football management practices. By supporting research and innovation, YARD Hub seeks to inspire new ideas and approaches that can drive positive change within the football industry.

Contribute to the Global Football Dialogue: YARD Hub strives to be a hub for global dialogue about football management. We welcome content that reflects the challenges and opportunities faced by the sport in different regions and contexts, promoting a broader understanding of football’s role in society and its potential for positive impact.

Topics We Aim to Publish

Football Management Practices: Best practices in managing football teams, organizations, and clubs at various levels. Leadership and governance in football organizations. Effective team management, coaching, and player development strategies.

Youth Development and Grassroots Football: Approaches to developing youth academies and football programs. Strategies for talent identification and nurturing young athletes. Building sustainable youth football systems in local communities.

Sustainability in Football: Environmental sustainability in football clubs and events. Strategies for promoting social responsibility and inclusivity within football. Creating equitable access to football at all levels, especially in underserved communities.

Football Economics and Financial Management: Financial management strategies for football clubs and organizations. Sponsorship and funding models for sustainable football development. Economics of grassroots football and its impact on local communities.

Research and Innovation in Football: Innovative practices and technologies in football training and performance. Data analytics and its role in improving team performance and decision-making. Advances in football science, from sports medicine to performance analytics.

Community Engagement through Football: Football’s role in community building and social development. Programs using football to drive positive change in local and global communities. Football for social inclusion and development in marginalized groups.

Football Governance and Policy: Understanding the role of football governing bodies at national and international levels. Policy development for football management and regulation. Legal aspects of football, including contracts, player rights, and intellectual property.

Football Events and Tournament Management: Best practices in organizing local, regional, and international football events and tournaments. Logistics, marketing, and media strategies for successful football events. Managing volunteer programs for football events.

Football and Technology: The impact of technology on football training, performance, and fan engagement. Innovations in football broadcasting, media, and digital marketing. The role of digital platforms in growing and promoting football globally.

Accepting Criteria

We accept the following types of content that align with YARD Hub’s mission:

  1. Types of Content Accepted: Articles, book reviews, case studies, reports, white papers, and similar knowledge products.
  2. Content Relevance: Submissions must be relevant to football management, development, and sustainability.
  3. Originality: All content must be original and unpublished. Plagiarism or duplicate content will not be accepted.
  4. Quality Standards: Submissions must meet the following quality criteria:
    • Clear and Well-Structured Argument: Present a coherent argument with clear reasoning.
    • Comprehensive Literature Review: Thoroughly review existing research, identifying key trends, gaps, and relevant findings.
    • Sound Methodology: Clearly define and describe your research methodology, including data collection and analysis techniques.
    • Clear Conclusions and Recommendations: End with practical conclusions or recommendations grounded in your findings.

Required Documents and Writing Style Instructions

Authors should submit the following documents as a complete submission package:

Manuscript (1st Document): including

  1. Title
  2. Abstract: A concise summary (max 300 words) of your work, including the research question, methodology, findings, and implications.
  3. Manuscript: The full submission, adhering to the style guidelines.
  4. References List: A complete list of references following the APA style.

Author Bio (2nd Document): A brief biography of the author(s) with relevant credentials and affiliations with a list of recently published work titles, if any. A short version of C.V. is accepted as an alternative.

Cover Letter (3rd Document): Authors should submit cover letter (authorization letter). To download the authorization Letter Template click here. Please be noted that cover letter require also for publishing professional opinions, forewords, leadership commentaries, essays, and other reflective or forward-thinking pieces

General Writing Style Instructions:

  1. Formatting: Manuscripts should be in [Word], using 12-point Times New Roman font.
  2. Citation Style: Use APA style for all citations and references.
  3. Figures/Tables: Include figures and tables within the manuscript, ensuring clarity and relevance.
  4. Language: Both English and Arabic submissions are accepted as they written in clear, formal language, free from jargon or overly technical terms. While we encourage a scholarly tone, the content should be accessible to a wide audience, including practitioners and community stakeholders. Arabic submissions must include both English and Arabic abstract.
  5. Additional Guidelines for All Types
    • Ensure your manuscript is free of typographical errors and grammatical issues before submission.
    • If you are submitting research-based content (e.g., case studies, reports), ensure your methodology and data are clearly presented and well-supported by evidence.
    • Use headings and subheadings to organize your content clearly, especially for longer documents such as white papers or reports.

Type-Specific Submission Requirements:

Book Reviews (800 – 1,500 words): provide a critical assessment of a published book related to football management, development, or similar fields. The aim is to summarize the content, analyze the key arguments, and evaluate its relevance, strengths, and weaknesses in relation to the subject matter. Book reviews also offer insights into how the book contributes to the field of football management, whether through new ideas, research findings, or practical applications.

Articles (1,500 – 3,000 words): Articles should provide a deep dive into a specific aspect of football management or development. Articles are typically structured with an introduction, body (with clearly defined sections), and conclusion. They should aim to present research, insights, or perspectives that can contribute to the broader discourse in football management. Additional Requirement: Include clear subheadings to help guide the reader through different sections of the article.

Case Studies (2,000 – 5,000 words): Case studies focus on specific examples of football management practices, strategies, or outcomes. They should describe real-world situations, analyze the challenges faced, and detail how they were addressed or resolved. Additional Requirement: Case studies should include a detailed background section, a problem-solving approach, results or outcomes, and lessons learned or recommendations for others.

Reports (2,500 – 6,000 words): Reports provide factual, data-driven analysis on specific aspects of football management. These can include research findings, surveys, evaluations, or performance assessments. Reports should be objective and thorough, offering insights based on evidence or data. Additional Requirement: Reports should include an introduction, methodology section (if applicable), data analysis or findings, and conclusions or recommendations.

White Papers (3,000 – 8,000 words): White papers are comprehensive documents that address a specific problem or challenge in football management and propose solutions. They are typically more formal and persuasive, aiming to influence decision-makers or provide a policy recommendation. Additional Requirement: White papers should have an executive summary, clearly defined problem statement, methodology (if applicable), proposed solutions, and supporting evidence.

Other Format (1,000 – 2,000 words): This category encompasses various types of thought leadership and written works that do not strictly fall into the traditional categories, yet still offer valuable insights into football management. Examples include professional opinions, forewords, leadership commentaries, essays, and other reflective or forward-thinking pieces. These submissions should contribute fresh perspectives or provoke discussion on current issues, challenges, and trends in football management.

Review Process

Submissions will go through a two-step review process:

  1. YARD Editor Review: Our editor team will evaluate your submission for alignment with YARD Hub’s goals and overall quality. You will inform with the initial discussion by email within (5 workdays), If the submissions accepted it will send to next review step.
  2. External Peer Review: A blind peer review will assess:
    • Originality: The novelty of the submission.
    • Literature Review: The depth and relevance of the literature review.
    • Methodology: The rigor and appropriateness of your methodology.
    • References: The relevance and accuracy of your references.

Revisions and Resubmission

If your submission requires revisions, you will be notified with feedback from the reviewers. Please address the comments and resubmit your revised work. Authors should allow 5 workdays for review and feedback.

Acceptance and Publication

Please be noted that the final decision is made by our Chef Editor, the external peer review opinion is matter but not mandatory. However, submissions that are approved by both parties will always have priority for publication in short period. The average time of the reviewing process after the initial acceptance is 30-45 days. Upon the final acceptance, your work will be scheduled for publication on the YARD Hub platform, and an email will be send to you for inform. All accepted content will be credited to the author(s), with proper attribution as PDF format.

Ethical Considerations

  1. Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest.
  2. Authorship: All contributors must be properly acknowledged.
  3. Copyright: Authors retain the copyright but grant YARD Hub a non-exclusive license to publish.

Withdrawal of Submission

Submissions may be withdrawn at any time before acceptance. After acceptance and publication, the submission cannot be withdrawn.

AI Usage Guidelines

YARD Hub allows the use of AI tools in the research and publishing process, including writing assistance, data analysis, and manuscript formatting. While YARD Hub embraces AI as a tool to enhance content quality, it emphasizes transparency and ethical considerations. Authors are expected to disclose any use of AI tools and ensure that the intellectual integrity of their work is maintained.

Disclosure of AI Tools: Authors must disclose any use of AI tools in the preparation of their manuscript. The AI tools used must be acknowledged appropriately, and their role in the manuscript should be clearly described. YARD Hub allows AI tools only for the following purposes:

  • Use Case One: AI-Assisted Research and Literature Review
    Authors may use AI tools to identify relevant literature or extract key information from large datasets (e.g., using AI-driven literature databases or automated research tools).
  • Use Case Two: AI in Manuscript Writing and Preparation
    Authors are permitted to use AI tools for tasks such as:
    • Grammar and Style Improvement: AI-based writing assistants for refining language, sentence structure, and tone.
    • Formatting: AI tools that help ensure manuscript compliance with formatting guidelines.
    • Data Analysis: AI used for statistical analysis, pattern recognition, or modeling, with clear explanation in the methodology section.

Note: AI tools must not generate the intellectual content or original ideas of the manuscript, which must remain the author’s work. For both use cases, authors must disclose the role of AI in research assistance, and all sources and data must be properly cited.

Ethical Considerations: AI must be used ethically, ensuring that AI-driven content does not mislead readers or misrepresent research. AI cannot be used to fabricate data or produce false results. All research claims in the manuscript must be verifiable through human review. AI-generated content should not be passed off as original work, and full disclosure of the extent of AI’s involvement is required.

AI-Generated Content: YARD Hub does not accept fully AI-generated manuscripts or content that lacks clear authorship. For YARD Hub, AI is considered a tool, not a co-author. Manuscripts heavily reliant on AI for writing will be rejected.

AI Use in Review: For submissions that use AI, YARD Hub reserves the right to use AI tools for assisting in content evaluation, including plagiarism detection and quality assurance checks, to streamline the editorial process. However, all final decisions are made by human editors and reviewers, ensuring that the editorial judgment and academic merit are determined by people, not AI.

Accountability and Responsibility: Authors are ultimately responsible for the content of their manuscript, including any work produced with the help of AI. In the event of disputes, ethical concerns, or allegations of misconduct involving AI, authors must be able to explain and justify the use of AI in their work. YARD Hub will not bear responsibility for such cases; the responsibility rests entirely with the author. In cases of non-disclosure or intentional harm, such as submitting false information or violating intellectual property rights, YARD Hub reserves the right to take necessary actions, including legal measures, to protect its integrity and reputation. Authors should not rely solely on AI assistance but should use critical thinking and judgment to ensure the quality and integrity of the work.

Transparency and Integrity: Authors must maintain transparency about the use of AI throughout the submission and review process. Any involvement of AI tools should be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of the cover letter, including the specific tools used. YARD Hub will include a footnote acknowledging the AI tools used in the manuscript once published, ensuring full transparency.

Compliance with Laws

All submissions must comply with relevant local and international laws, including copyright and intellectual property laws. Please be noted that all accepted sumbitions Content will be published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). After publishing, authors are free to share their final submission as long as they are committed to related rules stipulated in the Terms and Conditions.

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