Ee Hits 100,000 Volunteer Goal In Grassroots Football Project

British national mobile network operator EE has announced that over 100,000 volunteers have signed up to EE Playmaker by England Football – a free, online entry level football coaching course for grassroots volunteers from any background.

Available to anyone aged 14 or over, the course requires no previous football experience before signing up.

In 2020 EE announced its ambitions as the new lead partner of the England Teams, including the goal of creating the most inclusive and diverse grassroots volunteering network through EE Playmaker. The goal was to create 100,000 EE Playmakers by 2024 and equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support licenced coaches make safe, fun and inclusive football happen in the grassroots game.

England men’s national football team manager, Gareth Southgate, has met with one the coaches – Harvey Greenway.

Today, there are over 15,000 women enrolled as EE Playmakers with over 60% completing all five modules.  After reaching the 100,000 milestone, EE will soon announce its next phase of targets, including more opportunities and initiatives for women in volunteering and coaching from grassroots to the elite level of the game.

Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director, BT said, “In February 2020 we set a hugely ambitious target of creating an army of 100,000 new grassroots volunteers by 2024. Over 10,000 of our Consumer employees attended our internal launch such was the incredible support and passion for EE Playmaker. 

“To reach that target two years early is phenomenal, but most importantly this initiative has removed traditional entry level barriers to build the foundations of a more diverse and inclusive volunteering network. We know the positive impact is being felt on football pitches across England and we’re proud that EE will undoubtably leave a lasting legacy for the game.”

Lucy Pearson, the FA’s Head of Education, added, “It is fantastic to see so many people stepping forward to volunteer in football – reaching our target so quickly demonstrates how many people across the country are wanting to get involved and ensure grassroots football is fun, safe and inclusive.

“We want to maintain this momentum, to see more and more people from across our communities stepping into the game and we’re excited about working with EE to do just that.”