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The FA has unveiled the philosophy and the dreams behind its £200m investment in the future of grassroots football. The remarkable investment, revealed yesterday on TheFA.com, was announced to the world in a press conference at Soho Square this afternoon and marks the start of an exciting campaign to improve all aspects of the game at all levels.
The focus will be on many issues, including the Respect campaign to address poor behaviour from players to raferees and tackle pushy parents on the sidelines.
But the project is also about putting money into facilities, coaching, referee recruitment and player development over the next four years.
Chief Executive Brian Barwick said: “It’s a very important day in the everyday life of English football.
“We are able to unveil an unprecedented £200m investment, which is largely the product of successful television and commercial deals. We will spend that money wisely, not least because we’ve asked those involved how they want it to be spent. Some 37,000 people gave us their views and their experience of football.
“The aims are four-fold. Firstly we want more people involved in the game - players, coaches, spectators, administrators and, critically, referees.
“Secondly we want better coaches, more skilful players, especially children. Thirdly we want to make it easier to organise the game locally.
“And fourthly we want to raise standards of behaviour and address abusive behaviour. And as a parent and lover of the game this goal is especially close to my heart.”
The FA Chairman, Lord Triesman, unveiled further details of the plans and is excited about the future.
He said: “It represents the biggest investment ever made in grass roots football. Although I’m relatively newly arrived I welcome it and endorse it. It’s a huge and valuable effort
“We have undertaken the largest ever consultation The FA has ever embarked on, and it was good and brave to do that. The result shows the breadth of views that have been assimilated
“Having played a lot of amateur football myself, been a referee and coached, what I’ve seen shows the investment is demonstrably needed, The state of facilities, making sure you have referees and they are treated properly, these are all absolutely vital.
“We want better health for kids and to deal with issues of child obesity. Football can also make a difference to anti-social behaviour and social inclusion. And we here at The FA, the whole machine, has a role to play.”
Sir Trevor Brooking was also present at today's press conference and couldn't hide his glee after working so hard on the project for so long.
He said: “It’s a big day for grassroots football. It’s a big day for my grandson Harry too because it’s his birthday - he is three! He’s left-footed, too, so we’re working on that!
“So this investment is about tapping into all ages. We want to increase participation but more than anything you want to make sure people's first experience of the game is fun and enjoyable. We want to make sure those who touch the game enjoy it and want to stay in it.
“Of course we want to raise standards in all areas of football, including at the top. But it’s important to get the platform and the base right for that to happen. So we want to help any youngster improve, whatever their ability."
Sir Trevor believes there is a huge challenge ahead.
He added: “We have 400,000 volunteers in the game and we need to support better than in the past. Also 11 v 11 facilities are a challenge, we have to work with government on that.
“We need to improve and support English coaches and players at all level. And as a governing body we need to lead, we’ve learned our lessons because we haven’t been as strong on that as we should in the past."
