Grassroots numbers stack up
Monday, 28 June, 2010
Latest figures show participation in the game is on the up with plenty more to do.
Participation in grassroots football across England is building again, following the implementation of The FA’s National Game Strategy, aimed at halting a one-time decline in numbers taking part in the nation’s favourite game.
Furthermore, involvement in The FA Tesco Skills programme has also grown exponentially in the last year, with over 1.5m aspiring young football players enjoying the high quality youth coaching on offer from the network of FA Tesco Skills coaches.
Overall participation in 11 v 11 football in England has stabilised since the start of The FA’s National Game Strategy in 2008, with a year-on-year decline now in reverse with 30,701 adult male teams in existence compared to the baseline number of 30,689. The target for 2012 is for The FA to have retained 32,000 teams in this area of the game.
In the women’s game numbers have risen 12% in the first two years of the Strategy exceeding initial targets, with 1,408 adult female teams playing eleven-a-side football in England, leading to higher revised aims for the final two years of the plan.
The FA will be dedicating further investment into driving 11 v 11 numbers during 2010/11, utilising the ongoing partnership with Mars over the next four years as the official adult football partner.
Since 2008 The FA has committed a total of £200m to be invested over a four year period to further grow and sustain the nation’s game.
The goals of The FA’s National Game Strategy are to:
* Grow and retain participation
* Raise standards and address abuse
* Develop better players
* Run the game effectively
To do this The FA is further committed to providing a skilled workforce through enhanced coaching opportunities as well as improved facilities through its County FA network and the Football Foundation.
The FA Tesco Skills Programme is building the future of football in England with affordable, high quality youth football coaching for 5-11 year old boys and girls of all abilities.
The 90 full-time FA Tesco Skills Coaches have worked in more than 2,000 primary schools and have supported over 6,000 teachers with session plans, resources and support networks.
http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/NewsAndFeatures/2010/Getintofootball_numbers