The Football Association

We have changed the game for women and girls - but the job isn’t done yet. Introducing our new women’s and girls’ game strategy 2024-28… Our new strategy Reaching Higher aims to build on the transformational success achieved to date and strives to continue working to unlock the full potential of the women’s and girls’ game. The full Reaching Higher strategy can be viewed here: https://lnkd.in/e9RmXz-7

Today we’ve launched our new strategy for grassroots football following our most comprehensive consultation with the grassroots game to date. The new four-year strategy will support the continued growth and development of the grassroots game and volunteer workforce and includes investing in more new quality grass pitches to reach our 12,000 target, and delivering 1,000 thriving community clubs. Increasing the number of female players by 50%, Disability Football players by 40% and tackling poor behaviours through robust sanctions are also addressed in new strategy which you can read in full below: https://lnkd.in/ejD8KSaX

Over the past four years, we have – in collaboration with our key partners – been able to deliver meaningful change across the game. From winning our first major tournament in over 50 years to delivering thousands of high-quality pitches to the grassroots game. But we can’t stop now – and we won’t. Our new strategic plan through to 2028 aims to take English football forward, with a clear focus on the biggest opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e9TCU_9b

Disability Training For Clubs is back, with a host of new local Journey To Inclusion workshop dates now open for booking from January. Since launching, volunteers from more than 300 grassroots clubs have attended the Disability Training For Clubs: Journey To Inclusion workshops, which aims to educate clubs on how they can welcome more disabled people into their community and support growth of the disability football in England. If you’re associated with a grassroots club in your local area, you can support by encouraging your club to attend a local workshop or downloading the toolkit which is filled with information, practical tips and resources. All information regarding the toolkit and workshop dates can be found at: https://lnkd.in/d7GcyG7Z

It's Black History Month throughout October, and we've taken a look at some of the Black pioneers of English football from history through to the modern day. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ekdSiHXR

We are delighted to have won the Inclusion Project Award at the Asian Football Awards, held at Wembley Stadium this week. The award reflects our ‘Faith and Football’ programme and wider South Asian inclusion work on a night where inspirational South Asian individuals including players, community leaders and rising stars and their vital contributions at every level of the game were showcased. The evening highlighted the growing impact of South Asians in football and served as a powerful reminder of the talent emerging from these communities. Congratulations to all of the winners. https://lnkd.in/eAQ9cdBf

Our charity partnership with The FA has now raised an incredible £1 million! Over the last three years, the £1 million raised through the partnership has gone towards crucial Alzheimer's Society support services and research that will help transform the future of dementia diagnosis, changing the game for fans and players in years to come. This season will continue to build on the success of the partnership’s ongoing work. FA staff will once again be taking on fundraising challenges for the charity, whilst exciting new plans are in development to use football as a means of providing local support and encouraging fans to engage with vital dementia research. Thanks a million. 💙

We have announced a long-term renewal with Fanatics, confirming a deal that is set to see an expansion to the wide-ranging retail, eCommerce and merchandising partnership with the global digital sports platform. Under the new terms, Fanatics will retain eCommerce rights and run the official online England Store, as well as powering on-site retail during England home games, domestic cup finals and concerts at Wembley Stadium. Fanatics will now also act as our official partner in sourcing new licensees where required, ensuring that our merchandise remains best-in-class across all categories. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efpmiNeu

The inaugural winners of two new awards created in the memory of Sir Bobby Charlton and Charlotte Hope were announced during the FA Council meeting at Wembley Stadium yesterday. Nominations for the awards are made by FA Council members and recognise the contribution of individuals who have made a significant impact in developing the future of football. Both Sir Bobby and Charlotte have been announced as posthumous recipients of the inaugural award. The winners for 2023-24 are Lotte Wubben-Moy of Arsenal and England as the winner of the Charlton Award and Jason Land, Lincolnshire FA’s Disability Ambassador, as the winner of the Hope Award. We congratulate them on their achievements and well-deserved recognition. https://lnkd.in/e5pvxKJ2

Planning for the UEFA EURO 2028 tournament is underway, with three Board Director roles now available. The roles will be integral in shaping the strategic direction of the tournament and its vision of: Football for All, Football for Good and Football for the Future. You can find all of the details through UK Sport, below.