2019/20 GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL SURVEY ANNOUNCED BY THE FA

The Football Association [The FA] has today announced its annual survey for participants in Middlesex to provide feedback on the grassroots football provision in the local area.

Players, coaches, parents, supporters, volunteers, referees, club and league officials across Middlelsex now have the opportunity to highlight areas where they require support, suggest areas for improvement and outline the impact of particular campaigns or schemes.

Since the online survey was originally launched, the responses of more than 100,000 grassroots participants have helped to inform the decision making and allocation of resources by The FA and respective County FAs. Results from the 2018/19 edition identified five key areas – both on and off the pitch – where a renewed focus is required:

1. Identify the resources and tools that clubs need the most support with
2. Foster the right experience for participants at this level of the game
3. Encourage young people to stay active in different roles across the game
4. Ensure the RESPECT campaign has a positive impact on all participants
5. Adapt to the changing nature of modern grassroots football

You said you wanted more development and support for Referee’s. We created Beyond the Whistle, bridging the gap between putting the whistle down and supporting the next generation. We also offered CPD throughout the season, including through our new #WEREFEREE women’s refereeing group. Finally we have appointed Daniel Harvey and Ray Herb as Referee Coordinators, who will be there to support and mentor our newly qualified referees.

Kelly Hancock, Football Development Officer (Barnet, Brent, Enfield) said: The Grassroots Survey proves to be an ever useful tool for CFAs to monitor and evaluate how they work and engage with their member leagues, clubs and participants across both the affiliated and recreational game. The responses given help us to highlight areas that we are working well in, as well as those that may need more focus and improvement. One of the most important bits of information to receive is the experience that all those involved in the game are having, be it their first ever or those after many years of involvement. We are constantly looking to adapt alongside the evolving game and to hear the views of those involved in it is an imperative piece of the puzzle.