After announcing a £200 million investment in the grassroots game, football’s governing body invited County FAs to outline how they would use their future funding to achieve four Goals.
The “Your Game, Your Say – Your County FA” roadshow visited the Black Country, Birmingham and Warwickshire earlier this year to ask the football community how they would like to see the money spent.
Club and league officials, referees and local authority representatives voiced their thoughts at the three events during open discussions, Chaired by BBC WM’s Jenny Wilkes. They even expressed their opinions by writing on the tablecloths!
Around 700 people had their say online, responding to a survey on birminghamfa.com whilst many more e-mailed their ideas or contributed via face to face meetings and focus groups.
“We are grateful to everyone who took part in our consultation events,” said County Development Manager, Natalie Justice.
“Each idea and opinion has been recorded and considered whilst we have been forming our National Game Strategy.”
The National Game Strategy is a blueprint for the grassroots game up until 2012 encompassing all activities – governance and development. It outlines exactly what each County FA will be doing to develop the means to achieve The FA’s goals – creating a skilled workforce and improving facilities.
“We’re looking forward to getting the green light from The FA so we can get to work putting all these plans into action,” said County Secretary, Dave Shelton.
GOALS...
Grow and retain participation
Raise standards and address abuse
Develop better players
Run the game effectively
Delegates at “Your Game, Your Say – Your County FA” Roadshows were asked to rate grassroots football issues in order of importance to them, helping identify the areas to where future funding should be targeted first…
1…Every junior club to have a qualified coach
2…Every game to have a qualified Referee
3…To reduce the drop out at 14-18 years by providing more flexible formats of football
4…Every junior club to have a high quality partnership with a local school
5…Every club to have the FA Charter Standard
6…The County FA to have online services and support package
7…FA Charter Standard Clubs to have priority when booking facilities