FA To Invest £200m In Grassroots Football

The Football Association has announced it is set to invest £200m into grassroots football over the next four years, with the money going on a range of schemes aimed at stopping the decline in numbers playing 11-a-side.

In the last five years the number of men playing in full football teams has dropped from 33,568 to 30,355.

However, in the last three years, the number of non 11-a-side teams has risen from 21,800 to 25,932 – a figure the FA hopes to increase further to 30,000.

As well as boost participation, the National Game Strategy also seeks to raise standards of behaviour among players and spectators, and reduce assaults on referees.

Alex Horne, general secretary at the FA, said: ‘The FA is focused on delivering football for everyone, and we are proud of the success we have achieved over the last three seasons since our last National Game Strategy was published.’

‘By publishing our new refresh we are able to let our football stakeholders know that we have a robust framework in place to ensure funding is used to get more people playing the game, to protect facilities and provide a fun and safe football experience.’

After consulting with 25,000 people, including the likes of the National Game Board, county FAs and schools, the FA has determined its priorities.

These include providing flexible formats of football, such as 60-minute matches, and increasing football opportunities and the profile of women and minority groups.

The FA also hopes the investment will help to raise the standard of player/spectator behaviour across the grassroots game, as well as bring in changes to youth football and maximizing improvement in existing team and facilities.

In the women’s game, the FA is hoping to raise the number of 11-a-side teams from the current 1,437, to 1,500.