FA to invest £180m into the grassroots game over the next four seasons

By Jon Couch

THE Football Association are to invest over £180m into the grassroots game over the next four seasons as part of a new blueprint to move the national game into an exciting post-Covid era.

The strategy, titled ‘Survive. Revive. Thrive.’, sets out a list of a number of ambitious FA targets as millions get set to return to play post lockdown from tomorrow.

Through the Football Foundation, the FA will work with the Premier League and the Government to build and improve 5,000 pitches by 2024, while committing to provide equal access for girls in schools and clubs.

The initiative is acting on a new FA research report which shows the social and economic value of playing grassroots football in England is more than £10 billion each year.

The report, titled “The Social and Economic Value of Adult Grassroots Football in England”, also found that grassroots football has a considerable impact on a person’s mental and social wellbeing, highlighting mental health benefits for children and physical health benefits for older adults.

‘Survive. Revive. Thrive’ provides a clear direction for the next four seasons and addressing the short, medium and long-term challenges to serve and lead the game for the many millions who play nationwide.

The seven transformational objectives through to 2024 are:

● Male participation – Modernised opportunities to retain and re-engage millions of male participants in the game

● Female participation – A sustainable model based on a world-class, modernised offer,

● Club network – A vibrant national club network that delivers inclusive, safe local grassroots football and meets community needs,

● Facilities – Enhanced access to good quality pitches across grassroots football,

● Grassroots workforce – A transformation in community football by inspiring, supporting and retaining volunteers in the game,

● Digital products and services – An efficient digital ecosystem to serve the administrative and development needs of players, parents and the workforce,

● Positive environment – A game that’s representative of our diverse footballing communities, played in a safe an inclusive environment

The strategy also identifies the need to get football back on its feet after the pandemic, ensuring it can continue to be played in a safe and secure environment through the FA’s guidance.

Underpinning the strategy is the long-standing partnership between the FA and County FAs, which will be crucial to its success.

The partnership is committed to serving those in the game, and providing the leadership needed to ensure future generations benefit from it as much as those have done before.

James Kendall, The FA’s Director of Football Development, said: “We are delighted to see the safe return of the grassroots game and are excited to announce our new four-year strategy after what has been an extremely difficult year.

“The FA’s commitment to grassroots football has remained resolute and this strategy is a clear demonstration of our long-term ambitions, which will ultimately play a role in improving the health and wellbeing of millions.

“This new strategy aims to ensure the grassroots game in England will survive, revive and thrive over the next four years.

“I’m confident that we’ll seize on the remarkable togetherness and resilience our national game has shown in the face of Covid-19 and use it as a force for good.

“We recognise there is a huge amount to achieve, but we have set ourselves the challenge and look forward to delivering on this strategy which puts players at the very heart of everything we do.”