ITV football expert Robbie Earle is being lined up to present the second FA "Football for All" Conference. Robbie hosted last year’s event and says The FA have already moved in the right direction.


“The biggest thing to me was a lack of communication at grassroots level in the past. I would like to think that resources are now being put in place with realistic targets which will see the situation addressed,” he says.

 

“One of the things which came to light was that people didn’t know how to access funding. That’s just one example of something The FA needs to embrace to follow up the positive message they have been sending out through 'Football for All'.”

 

Robbie remains optimistic. “In the past there may have been a feeling that people at grassroots level weren’t feeling the benefit of The FA’s work, but I think the indications are that we’ve now turned the corner.”

 

A pledge by The FA to increase diversity on their Committees has been made by their Ethics and Sports Equity Manager.

 

Lucy Faulkner says that her aim is to offer people from ethnic minority communities more opportunity to have a say in the running of the game in this country. “We are talking with community groups to raise awareness of various issues,” she says. “'Football for All' is underpinned by The FA’s Ethics and Sports Equity Strategy which enshrines fairness and accessibility at all levels of the game, and I can assure you that things are moving forward.”

 

The man who helped lead England to their last football world cup success has praised The FA for opportunities they offer to all walks of life.

 

Lyndon Lynch, manager of  the England Learning Disability team which triumphed in Japan, says he is certain The FA are offering support at grassroots level which otherwise wouldn’t be there.

 

“Obvious examples are women’s and girls’ football which have progressed tremendously,” he says. “And I know through my work with Leyton Orient that they are creating opportunities for socially excluded groups.”

 

“'Football for All' is not just about participating  - it’s about enjoying the game whether you watch or take part. Thanks to The FA we have travelled around the world and met and exchanged views with people from many other cultures.”

 

Lyndon’s success as a coach, which includes steering England to victory in the Learning Disability World Cup, saw him presented with a medal by HRH The Princess Royal at the "Coaching Hall of Fame" at the Café Royal – a fitting tribute to a man whose enthusiasm epitomises the ethics of The FA’s 'Football for All'.

 

The FA are aiming to crack down on racist abuse and have set up a telephone line to report incidents at all levels of the game. Calls can be made to 0207 745 4909 in the strictest confidence, or e-mail FootballforAll@TheFA.com