The Football Leadership and Volunteering programme‘Football Futures’

Strategy2011-15

Consultation Document

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ForwardYoung people are our future football workforce and future leaders. In this document we look to set out a framework for success. We want young people to be given an opportunity to rise and fulfil their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, sexual preference or background. It is our role to ensure we help shape a programme that reflects the leaders genuine needs, offers an authentic opportunity to develop and is sustainable in order for them to take the leadership skills they have learnt into adulthood. This strategy is a key component of The FA workforce strategy to develop our existing and new volunteers in clubs and leagues.

We will explore a number of success stories from some of the Leaders that have been in the programme since 2005 and are now beginning to fulfil their potential. These are just a sample of the thousand of football leaders supporting grassroots football and for some making their way into the industry but they will give you a flavour of what can be achieved.

We know we need to do more to increase the range and number of opportunities for young people to get involved in football leadership to reflect the needs of both the young people and the football landscape and we know this can only be achieved if we work in collaboration with a shared purpose, values and vision.

Making this happen will require a real commitment nationally, regionally and locally from our partners. This document emphasises The FA, Independent Schools FA, British College Sport and British University and College Sports commitment to young leaders and our desire to work collaboratively to ensure success for young leaders and partner organisations.

We will be discussing our ideas with young people themselves to ensure they have a voice and are instrumental in the development of their Football Futures as well as our local and national partners. We want to hear your views.

Donna McIvorNational Football Development Manager (Education)

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*This document has been produced in collaboration with Education Managers Steve Swallow (FA), Sean Smith (ISFA), Karl Lines (BCS), Cai Robbins (BUCS), Mike Spinks (ESFA), Amreeta Bola (FA) and with the initial support of The FA National Faculty.

What does success look like?

Adam Herczeg – Age 16 from Emmanuel College, Gateshead and Durham CFACASE STUDYAdam got involved in volunteering two years ago with his local FA Charter Standard Club; Gateshead Redheugh FC. He helps to coach the clubs goalkeepers and also helps to coach and run both the U9 and U13 boy’s squads. His main involvement in football however is as a referee and between coaching and refereeing he spends 4 evenings a week at his club, volunteering approximately 10 hours per week. Adam completed his Referee qualification when he was 15 years old and is currently a level 7 refereeing in the Russell Foster and Gateshead Apollo leagues as well as refereeing friendly training games on a weekly basis for his club. Adam is the only young leader from his school that is currently taking part in the FA Step into Sport Programme and got involved after Durham FA delivered a presentation to his team at the club. He was the only member of his team to sign up. His hard work paid off recently when he was selected by Durham FA to attend the FA National Leadership Camp 2010 which was a great achievement for him. At still only 16 years old he is now working closely with Durham FA to help deliver their County Leadership Programme to the new intake of young leaders. He has gained a huge amount of confidence through his volunteer work and although will continue his development as a referee has also decided to take his coaching further, recently completing his FA Level 1 Coaching Badge, FA Coaching Disabled Footballers and FA Age Appropriate qualifications after learning so much during his time at the FA National Camp. Since he enrolled on Durham FA’s Leadership Programme, Adam has travelled across the county to attend different workshops and volunteer at various events with other young leaders. His is very committed and keen to learn and has now started helping young leaders with events they run at their own football clubs……..often involving a 60 mile round trip. Thanks to Adams commitment to volunteering and his achievements over the past 12 months, his football club will be enrolling many of the U15’s squad onto Durham FA’s Leadership Programme this season after they have shown an interest in following in his footsteps. In the past year Adam has completed over 350 hours of voluntary work in football.

Quote “ I have had a brilliant year so far on the Leadership Programme. I have been volunteering in my club for a few years which I still do now but being on the programme allows you to meet up with other young leaders from around the County every half term so I have made loads of friends I would never have met before had it not been for this scheme. I have learnt so much and being picked for the FA Camp was a real honour, especially as there were loads of applications in our county. I had an amazing time and am really enjoying putting everything I learnt into practise. I would never have got this opportunity if Durham FA hadn’t come to my club so I’m really grateful to them and now im looking forward to giving something back by helping them run the programme to our new leaders this year.”

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Prathiv Kholia, Nickname Storma - Aged 21. Occupation - Basketball Development Officer since August 2010, Leicestershire and Rutland FAFA Ambassador - Young Leadership and VolunteeringBUCS Ambassador - Football and Futsal. CASE STUDYBeing part of a Leadership and Volunteering program has been one of the best decisions that I’ve made. It was just after my GCSE's where I had to make a decision to either go into a trade, go on a apprenticeship or to stay in education and go on to do my AS/A-levels, and that was the door that I took. This is where my passion for volunteering has grown. One of my first opportunities was acting as per mentor for GCSE students preparing for their exams, we met once a week for 6 weeks where we would discuss revision techniques, help manage their time effectively and speak about how things were going. From this I learnt about the values of communication, feedback and the importance of a being a volunteer. As well as helping outside of sport, my biggest passion was playing and volunteering in sport and this was the educational route that I took, taking AS, PE and BTEC Sport Science. As part of my course we were always offered coaching course and volunteering course, throughout my 2 years at Bosworth College, I completed my JFO, JSLA, CSLA which were linked in the Step Into Sport program, this brought about opportunities to lead lessons to peers, to lead and assist in lessons in primary schools and to help out at events such as the Youth Games. I took many coaching course at college ranging from high five netball to ECB cricket level 1. My passion however was always in football and was delighted when I was able to take my football coaching level 1 course. From taking this course my experience in leadership and volunteering was to change after being selected to attend The FA Young Leaders Camp. The camp was an amazing experience and I urge people to take part in similar programs, I attended the camp not really knowing much, but came away from the camp full of ideas and enthusiasm, the week was full of different aspects of football, coaching methods, equality and different versions of the game like Futsal. Throughout the week you were working with likeminded people and experiencing new courses and ideas. I took a lot away from the camp, and one bit of advice that as always been with me was 'thinking outside the box' and 'the bigger picture'. After returning from the camp, Leicestershire CFA were brilliant, especially Marion Hayton the Football Development Officer. They were keen to hear about my experience and how they could help to carry on my development, they were able to help subsidise courses, give opportunities in leading and volunteering and acted as a good mentors by always keeping in touch. After the camp I was selected with 8 other leaders from the camp to be part of the Young Leaders management team for the next camp, which included organising and running the camp. This was the experience which developed us all and I will never forget. We were in charge of 100 Young Leaders who came from all over the country, 60members of staff, tutors and VIPS. From the camp I was selected to go out to Malawi with 3 other young leaders, as part of The FA Changing Lives program, this was an experience which has surpassed all of our expectations. Having the chance to coach, lead and mentor African young leaders was an experience of a life time and so different to anything else that I’ve been through. While being at university, volunteering opportunities didn't stop, in my first year slowly became more involved with the football team, which resulted being

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selected as captain for the 2nd team for second year at university and then in my 3rd year being president of the club, as part of the role I organised games, transport, officials, training and venues and gained sponsorship. All this required skills which I had gained from being part of the FA leadership and volunteering programme because I always learnt and experienced something new. All these skills have also helped me to become an Ambassador for The FA and BUCS.Just recently I have finished my degree, and have been offered a job work as a Basketball Development officer. For me to have secured this job is a great achievement and something that I’ve been working towards for a few year to secure a job in development. Even though it's not football based, I have gained a sound knowledge of development through football and university, but all the skills and experience that I’ve been through are transferable, and that has been the beauty of being on a YL's program because as I mentioned earlier we were always thought to think of the bigger picture, and when I went for this interview I was able to show a range of skills, like communication, problem solving, organisational, innovativeness, which I would be able to bring to the post and was able to show this through experience's that I had. Volunteering has opened so many doors for me and provided so many experiences and I wouldn't be half the person if I had never experienced them. Along the way you meet new people and make contacts but most importantly for me you make friends along the way, and always develop as a person.

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Ash Harris aged 20. FA Ambassador Leadership and Volunteering. Cornwall FACASE STUDYI think I am a very enthusiastic person with a lot of drive and determination however if I was asked this 4 years ago I would say my personality would have been quiet, nervous and lacking in confidence. That is how Sport, Leadership and Life can change you!As a person I absolutely love Football (Especially Liverpool FC!), meeting new people and setting new challenges for myself. This has come from gaining more confidence and self esteem through volunteering. I started volunteering when I was 14 by helping my PE teacher at school coach the year 7 team. This gave me the opportunity to work with others and help build my communication skills. I started taking part of the coaching sessions and eventually leaded up to coaching the whole session. The best part was being able to pass on football knowledge to the team, as the year 7's were new to the school and very nervous at fitting in but after the first few sessions they were having lots of fun and making new friends! So from the age of 14 I was starting to pick up life skills from the early leadership work such as Time management as the sessions were at break time and being organised and planned by having a session plan ready! After this I started to coach my local village team, did my Community Sports Leader award which was great. Here I helped in High Five Netball tournaments, and in the final year HSLA I worked in a team to organise the area school's Netball tournament and also worked with one child from the disability unit by helping him prepare in PE lessons for his Sports Day which was extremely rewarding! From this I took a lot of confidence and felt good in myself but it was also great as I was meeting new people all the time, with my A levels having started at a different school. Then it just got even better! My PE teacher contacted me to say that they were putting me forward for the FA Leadership Camp in 2007 at Ascot as Cornwall’s nomination. Amazingly Cornwall FA chose me, just after completing my Level 1 in Football coaching in March 2007. I had a great time at the camp, met loads of fantastic people and improved my knowledge in the workshops such as Futsal, Disability Football and coaching young people. I left the camp with renewed self esteem and confidence and got stuck back into some more football coaching in my area, first with an FA Charter Standard Club under 6-8's team and then coaching in one of Cornwall's Mini Soccer Centre in Bude. I then got a letter in the post inviting me to be part of the FA Young Leadership Management team for 2008. My mouth instantly dropped and I couldn't believe it, whilst this started one of the best years in my life (2008) and also created some long lasting friendships from working with such great people in a team. This involved going to Soho Square for the Management team meetings and planning the camp. This helped me be more adaptable in different roles with different jobs, whilst delegating different jobs and work involved in planning the camp and also improved my planning by juggling school work with

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preparations for the camp. Then the big week came, it felt like a great success with 100 young people leaving the camp in Nottingham like I felt a year before with more confidence, and even more enthusiasm for leadership and volunteering in Sport. At the camp I was also told that I would be going to South Africa in October 2008 to coach Football in Cape Town with 3 other young leaders and work with young people in orphanages. This was astounding for me at the time and I really couldn't believe it! The week came and it was one of the greatest weeks ever! As soon as I arrived we went to an orphanage and gave out some Football shirts from England. This was a humbling experience and one that I will never forget, and the week was challenging but having the chance to coach Football in a different environment and seeing another way of life I am very thankful to the FA for. After my A levels, I am now at the University of Gloucestershire studying Sports Development and about to start my third and final year of being a student. I also coach for the Gloucestershire Girls Centre of Excellence Under 10's, and when I'm back in Devon I coach with Exeter City FC in the Community and help out some of the previous youth clubs I used to coach. I am also very lucky to be connected to three county FA's, Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall and they have all helped me at different periods in my life. Recently I have helped Gloucestershire FA with the Regional South West Camp, in helping setting up the event on the day and give presentations about my experiences. Also the county FA's have helped me in my Football qualifications such as the FA Youth Award Module 1 and 2, Level 1 and 2 on Football Coaching, FA Futsal level 1 and also in getting me coaching roles with the county FA's, i.e. Gloucestershire FA Girls Centre of Excellence. Finally, I hope to keep learning and improving in my final year at University, building more life skills and meeting loads of new people along the way. The last 4 years of my life have been so amazing and I still can't believe the opportunities I have had but to give anybody some advice I would say always work hard and give 100% at everything you do, look to your role models and people to aspire to, not just your Steven Gerard’s and Michael Owens’s but your PE teachers and Football coaches, always learn from your mistakes along the way and look to take positives all the time. "Football can help people communicate to each other in a method like no other, as they Football has its own language!"

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Laura Danskin, Age 22. West Riding County FA.FA Ambassador Leadership and VolunteeringRecently graduated from Leeds Metropolitan university, studied Sports StudiesCASE STUDYFour weeks ago, I came into post as a College and Community Football Coordinator, working for The FA and BCS at Leeds City College. I’ll start by explaining how I achieved this, but also about how difficult I thought achieving this would be.

Whilst at high school, I didn’t enjoy school life, and I struggled academically. I found myself attending school just so I could be a part of the sports teams and to help out in the sports department. In year 10 I was asked to do a school club links project, which involved an activities day where I was to support able and disabled bodies. This was the stepping stone to my success in leadership and volunteering. It gave me an insight as to how I could help other people and occupy my time within school getting involved in such projects. From this point, I took my JSLA award and organised Top Link festivals in my school sports partner feeder schools. With the intention to leave school after my GCSE’s, at the first given opportunity, (much to my parents frustration and disappointment), to take up full time employment where I did weekend work in a fish and chip shop. To please my parents, I reluctantly decided to stay on at school and study sport in sixth form, still with the intention of fulfilling my time volunteering in sport. School was getting on top of me despite continuing to tire my free time with running events, tournaments, coaching, and achieving a CSLA award. I was again ready to give in and take up full time employment in something I would be embarrassed to say I did for a living now, but earnt me money and got me out of the school environment.

My PE teacher could see potential in me; this frustrated him as it did my parents, so one day he came to me with the opportunity to attend a ‘Youth Sport Trust’ Leadership and Volunteering camp at Loughborough University. I jumped at the chance. After a weeklong residential camp, of workshops and practical and team building activities I decided that perhaps my dreams can come true, and academic intelligence was not the be all and end all of life achievements. But I could instead focus my achievements on a sporting career.

I returned home and to school with a whole new lease of life; a new perspective on studies and dedication to succeed. The camp gave me an insight of what I could achieve and this was when I realised that perhaps my dream of working in sport and football full time wasn’t a dream and could actually become a reality.

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I shattered myself getting involved in anything sport related that involved playing, volunteering or leadership, I couldn’t get enough of it, it was like a bug and the more I did it the more I achieved, the more I got out of it, the more I learnt and the more I wanted to do.A few weeks after the leadership camp, I received a letter from The FA inviting me to interview at the head offices, in Soho Square, London. This was for the opportunity to be a part of The FA’s International Changing Lives Programme, which meant I would fly out to Africa as an FA ambassador to coach football in schools and orphanages. I did it, I attended interview, I produced a power point presentation, and I was selected to go to Africa and represent The FA. This was it, this was when my life changed and the hard work I put in at camp and volunteering all my spare time to sport was recognised and rewarded. Aside my efforts, this was when I really made my parents proud and my success was a good way of thanking my PE teacher for all the hard work he had put into helping me stay on the straight and narrow.

My trip to Lesotho, Africa was the 17th October 2005. This was the day that my attitudes towards life and life’s ‘material things’ changed. I learnt so much in Africa, one little thing that I did take away and I learnt was that “they don’t need the things we need to be happy”, that their lives are so complicated and disturbed, but give them a football and they will unbuckle their shoes, leave them at the side of the gravelled, sandy, cattle riddled field and chase the football round till it’s taken away from them. Whilst in Africa we also delivered a football programme through HIV awareness, working with potential African Young Leaders, to try and teach them the skills they need to coach the children once we left.

On my return things just kept getting better and better for me. Through my connections in the FA, I began working closely with my County FA where I later fulfilled a 2 year Football Development placement to improve my knowledge and experience in this area and to also enhance my Curriculum Vitae.

I was on the FA Young Leadership and Volunteering Management Team for the 2007 camp, I have been a mentor at camp and I have been assistant camp director for team building activities. The FA Young Leadership Camp is a massive part of my life, not just through the volunteering in football, but through my life skills. It kept me focused, it changed my beliefs in life, it gave me something to aim for, it created a whole new group of friends and football contacts, it’s given me something to preach about, it’s a programme that I believe so strongly in that it’s made me a success. It has helped me achieve a place at university and finally, something I could never show my gratitude for, it has landed me my job I have today, the job I dreamed of.

More examples of success can be found in the appendices.

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Football Futures The Football Futures programme aims to recruit, retain, develop, reward and provide a progressive pathway for young leaders from Primary school upward in order to develop a skilled football workforce. We will do this by providing a wide range of resources, training and volunteering and placement opportunities. The programme has been developed thematically to provide a wide range of young people with the opportunity to get involved in football as a leader. We are all collectively responsible for getting young people involved, developing leadership opportunities, nurturing young leaders and facilitating our young people’s leadership journeys. Football Futures placements in the community and progress pathway will be organised for the 16+ however for U16’s schools are able to offer leadership and referee training and access resources for 11-15 year olds to recognise and reward them before the move into County FA or other suitable organisations programmes.

Football Futures – Purpose, Values and Vision

PurposeTo create opportunities to develop fulfil the potential in young people who have the desire, commitment and determination to inspire others through their love of volunteering in football.

ValuesPrimary aged leaders 11-22+ year olds leadersEncouragement InspireFairness RespectReliability CommitmentOpenness InclusiveHelpfulness EmpathyBravery Determined (Courageous) * Need to develop resource to support practitioners to implement, reflect and record how they live the values

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VisionTo empower young people to learn to lead through the creation of authentic opportunities within football which enhance the life experiences and skills of all young people involved.

In order to achieve the vision the strategy has 5 clear goals;

Goals 1. To recruit and retain young leaders by providing a progressive leadership and volunteering pathway across 6 football themes 2. To develop a range of leadership and volunteering training courses, modules and resources to develop young leaders3. To recognise and reward young leaders4. To promote the Football Futures programme to a wide range of young people and partner organisations5. To track young leaders and undertake continuous research

Developing Behaviours, Social and Emotional Skills

The core behaviours or competencies we want all of our leaders to develop through their involvement in the programmes either at a local or national level are outlined below.

1. Communication

2. Leadership

3. Teamwork

4. Reflection

5. Problem Solving

*We will need to develop resource to support practitioners to implement, reflect and record how they develop young people’s behaviours.

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Through the Football Futures programme we want to develop young people not just develop their technical skills in coaching, refereeing or administration. We need and want to develop young leaders’ social and emotional skills.

The SEED Model - Social and Emotional skills

SEED How we may achieve this?S = social and emotional competencies – self awareness, social awareness and social skills

Self reflection, buddy, mentors, opportunities to work in clubs and leagues or with other partner bodies with authentic opportunities to practice their skills. Respect programme

E = enterprise, innovation and creativity – ability to shape situations, imagine alternatives remain open to new ideas, problem solve and work in teams

Self reflection, buddy, mentors, student management teams, Inspire programme (developing leadership programmes locally), county and national camps

E = emotional resilience – the ability to cope with shocks or rebuffs that may be short or long term

Self reflection, buddy, mentors, goal setting

D = discipline – both inner discipline to defer gratification and pursue goals, as well as the ability to cope with external disciplines

Goal setting, self reflection, buddy, mentor, volunteering opportunities to work in clubs, leagues and other organisations.

Leadership is an inherently collaborative, social and relational activity. It is therefore important we don’t just focus on the competencies of the leader’s relationships. Leadership is about more than simply enacting the right behaviours it needs to include a deep awareness of the impact of one’s behaviours on others. The skills and outcomes implicated in youth leadership development need to be seen in the context of young people’s development needs more generally.

Areas of development How we may achieve this?

Belonging Inducting young leaders into the programme, providing ongoing support and guidance, buddy, mentor, provide social networking closed sites for members

Membership Membership scheme for Football Future leaders

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Competence and power Goal setting around competencies. Student management teams, mentors, ambassadors, role models

Meaningful relationships with others Student management teams, mentors, buddy, role models, opportunities for volunteering opportunities in a community and networking.

Things that we need to be aware of How we may address this

1. Young people often associate leadership with rigid skill development activities for the purpose of CV building

Marketing and communication strategy, keep the experience fun

2. Leadership can be an intimidating concept for many young people who do not identify with the perceived role or mould. Specifically, leadership development may be perceived as elitist and exclusive – something for the few, rather than the many.

Marketing and communication strategy, thematically approach to provide a wide range of opportunities

3. The language of leadership can be patronising or be perceived to be patronising to young people

Ensure young people shape what their programme looks like and how it is marketed

Don’t treat young people as a homogenous group

4. Leadership development can imply creating an artificial environment for young people to lead, rather than providing genuine opportunities

Ensure opportunities created for volunteers are authentic and sustainable

(Taking the Lead – Youth Leadership in theory and practice, Lauren Kahn, Sarah Hewes and Rushanara Ali) provides a framework for success

Our MilestonesTo fulfil this vision we have set overall targets to 2015

Goal Timescale Lead

1. 45 County Football Associations & 50 Focus institutions to offer a ‘Football Futures’ programme delivering across the six themes supporting a diverse

1 2011-15 CFAs, NFDME, EPM, ISFA, BCS, BUCS

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cohort of 25,000 young leaders actively volunteering in the community*

2. To deliver a progressive national Football Futures programme across and connecting the sectors including the launch of a Football Futures Academy at St Georges Park

1 2011-15 NFDME, EPM, ISFA,ESFA, BCS, BUCS

3. A minimum of six leadership and volunteering courses and or modules and a leadership and volunteering toolkit in place for leaders and partner organisations

2 2011-12 NCEM, NFDME, Education team

4. Annual graduation and recognition awards

3 2011-15 EPM,ISFA, BCS,BUCS

5. To launch a promotion campaign to attract and retain young volunteers

4 2011-15 NFDME, Education team

6. To create a national database to track young leaders in the programme.

5 2011-15 NFDME, EPM

*Community is defined for these purposes as inside or outside the school, college or university campus.KeyNCEM – FA National Coaching in Education ManagerFAL – F A LearningNFDME – FA National Football Development Manager (Education)EPM – FA Education Project ManagerISFA – Independent Schools FA (Football Development Officer)BCS – British Colleges Sport (Football Development Manager)BUCS – British College and University Sport (Football Development Manager/Football Development Coordinator)Education team – The FA, ESFA, ISFA, BCS and BUCS

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Our challengesTo develop a clear, progressive and sustainable pathway for young leaders while in educationLeadership offer to young people varies from County to County and institution to institution – lack of consistencyLeadership and volunteering programme is new concept in independent schools The name ‘Step into Sport’ and the Passport scheme causes confusion with regard to tracking leaders volunteer hoursYoung leaders are not getting rewarded by County FA, College or UniversityEthnicity and Gender in balance in the local programmesNo national tracking system – Difficult to track leaders outside of national programme and across age groupsNo Website or specific social networking site for young leaders nationally to communicate effectivelySome Leaders not being supported to gain qualifications in coaching or refereeing No formal qualifications for other themes such as running and developing the game Not using leadership and volunteering programmes to develop the future workforce for grassroots football as effectively as we couldUse of Ambassadors as role models Coaching theme predominately offeredPathway into Refereeing has been limitedLack of marketing materials for partners to useNo specific campaign to help recruit leaders into the programmeDifficult to recruit leaders into other themes outside of coachingCurrent offer does not start to 14 years old.Entrepreneurship not encouraged in young people SafeguardingDiversity in the programmeDouble counting participants in tracking

Background – current programme

Every year 12,000+ young people aged 14-16 attend a Junior Football organiser’s course at their school to take their first step in developing their football leadership skills with thousands more young people taking Sports Leaders UK qualifications with an interest in football. Through the CFA programmes up to 5,000 leaders aged 16+ are recruited to volunteer in a Charter Standard club, league or other organisation through

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County FA Leadership and Volunteering programmes. Additionally through the BCS football programme 400 young leaders volunteer at Focus Colleges in England and a further 200 leaders register with British University and College sport to demonstrate their active involvement in football volunteering. The ISFA Leadership programme is in its infancy but through Focus schools the number of leadership programmes and football leaders is significantly growing. As part of this process a large number of coaches and referees are supported to gain formal qualifications supporting national game targets.

The majority of County FA’s run local county camps with ISFA running a two day national camp. 100 leaders are selected annually to participate in the National Leadership and Volunteering Camp. From the Camp and other programmes 50 leaders are selected annually to participate in the national coach scholarship programme.

BCS, ISA and The FA all have in place Management teams to support them to shape and develop their national programmes and leadership camps as do a number of County Football Associations such as Durham, West Riding and Worcestershire.

There are a range of international opportunities from across the sectors including The FA Changing Lives programme, BCS India programme and USA coaching placement programme in partnership with UK Soccer.

The FA run a national coach scholarship programme for up to 50 young coaches who have come through the collective leadership programmes.

Once in The FA programme 3 years leaders graduate from the programme and become a national ambassador. ISFA and BCS operate separate ambassador programmes with BUCS looking to introduce a programme in 2010-11.

BUCS have an online system to allow volunteers to register their hours.

GOAL 1 - To recruit and retain young leaders by providing a progressive leadership and volunteering pathway across 6 football themesTo fulfil this vision we have set overall targets to Goal Timescale Lead

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2015

1. 45 County Football Associations, 50 Focus institutions to offer a ‘Football Futures’ programme delivering across the six themes supporting a diverse cohort of 25,000+ young leaders actively volunteering in the community*

1 2011-15 CFAs, NFDME, EPM, ISFA, BCS, BUCS

2. To deliver a progressive national Football Futures programme across and connecting the sectors including the launch of a Football Futures Academy at St Georges Park

1 2011-15 NFDME, EPM, ISFA,ESFA, BCS, BUCS

1. Football Futures Delivery

In order to maximise impact and opportunity there are a range of ways to deliver the Football Futures programme.

Football Futures delivery - County Football Associations

The 45 County Football Associations are the main delivery partner at a local level. Investing in the future club, league and County FA workforce will support succession planning across the multitude of roles required to effectively operate.

Stage 1 - recruitmentCounty Associations should work in collaboration with County Sport Partnerships (including School partnerships) and other suitable partners to recruit a wide range of young people across the six themes. The number of recruits will range from 60+ in a large County to 10+ in a smaller county. Counties should ensure the leaders reflect the makeup of the communities they are recruiting from and there is an equal gender split. Leaders should be aged 16+ if they are to be placed in a community setting for child protection reason. Leaders undertaking placements inside the school gates, for example refereeing or events can be 14+.

Stage 2 – retain and deploy

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Once recruited and inducted into the programme leaders should be supported to undertake a high quality placement in a charter standard club, charter standard league, other suitable organisations such as Football in the Community or County FA depending on the theme they have chosen and the needs of the partner organisations you are working with.

Stage 3 – develop The Football Futures programme is about investing in young people to support them to be our future football workforce. Leaders should be supported to gain qualifications through bursaries or undertake training to support their personal development and provide evidence of achievements across the 6 themes.

Stage 4 – rewardLeaders recruited into the Football Futures programme should be rewarded for their involvement in volunteering.

Stage 5 – National programmesLeaders should be supported to progress into national programmes including The FA Leadership and Volunteering Camp.

Football Futures delivery - Focus institutions programmes

Focus institutions are required to run Football Futures programmes for their students as part of Focus status.

Stage 1 – recruitmentFocus Institutions should recruit a wide range of young people across the six themes. The number of recruits will range from institution to institution. Focus institutions should ensure the leaders reflect the makeup of the institutions roll call.

Stage 2 – retain and deployOnce recruited and inducted into the programme leaders should be supported to undertake a high quality placement either in their institution or in a charter standard club, league, or other suitable organisations such as Football in the community or a County FA.

Stage 3 – develop

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The Football Futures programme is about investing in young people to support them to be our future football workforce. Leaders should be supported to gain qualifications or undertake training to support their personal development and provide evidence of achievements. This should be done in partnership with the County FA, ISFA, BCS or BUCS.

Stage 4 – rewardLeaders recruited into the Football Futures programme should be rewarded for the number of hours they volunteer. Certificates for students aged 14-19 should be provided from 10-200 hours.

Stage 5 – National programmesLeaders should be supported to progress into national programmes including The FA Leadership and Volunteering Camp, ISFA National Camp, BCS Apprenticeship, Events or Ambassadors scheme or BUCS Ambassadors programme.

Entry into Football Futures ProgrammeTheme Choice 1 – Coaching & Working with teams

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Football Futures – Coaching and Working with team’s pathway

Stage 1 – volunteering and mentoringThrough Football Future programmes locally young leaders should be offered the opportunity for a volunteer placement in Charter Standard clubs, club link programmes, FA Skills programme, Football in the Community schemes, their own independent school, college or university teams or other suitable and likeminded organisations.

See additional opportunities for full time university students

Good practice is for leaders to be assigned a trained mentor within the club or programme they are undertaking their placement in.

Stage 2 - qualificationsLeaders should be supported locally to gain qualifications at the following levels.

Level 1 Level 2 Module 1 Leadership through football Working with teams module

Stage 3a –leadership and volunteering camps For leaders 16-19 showing potential there is the opportunity to be selected to attend the Football Futures ISFA National Leadership and Volunteering Camp or County FA, County Leadership and Volunteering Camps. If you are a full time university student places will be available to attend the Football Futures National BUCS Leadership and Volunteering Camp.

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Stage 3b –fa national leadership and volunteering camp For leaders 16-19 showing potential there is the opportunity to be selected to attend The FA Leadership and Volunteering National Camp either their County FA, through the ISFA Leadership and Volunteering Camp or BCS Leadership and Volunteering programme. Leaders will take part in a wide range of workshops including coaching environment, coaching 5-11 year olds, coaching disabled footballers, goalkeeping and coaching futsal.

Stage 4 – national management teamsLeaders who have shown potential and commitment to their CFA, ISFA, BCS, and BUCS or selected at The FA National Leadership and Volunteering Camp will have the opportunity to be selected to be on one of the four national management teams as a Football Futures Ambassador to support the organisations and running of county, regional or national projects and events. Leaders involved with CFA programmes will have the opportunity to be on a County FA Leaders Management Team (where they exist).Football Future Ambassadors will have the opportunity to form a National Leadership and Volunteer Council to oversee the implementation of the Leadership and Volunteering Strategy for young people.Good practice is for leaders to be assigned a mentor to support them to develop a range of skills in different roles.

Stage 6 –football futures academy - national coach scholarship programme strand50 young people aged 16-20+ will be selected annually to join or be retained in the programme, 14 of which will come from the ISFA, BCS and BUCS Leadership programme who have chosen coaching as their main theme will also be selected annually into the programme.Additional places are offered to young people with disabilities identified by The FA Disability Manager who may have not had the opportunity to be part of the Leadership programme locally. We will also be working with the 8 Womens Super League Clubs to develop opportunities across the themes.

Stage 6 - coaching in the USA Through a partnership with UK Soccer coaches in the NCSP identified as showing the right attitude and aptitude will be nominated to UK Soccer for a summer placement in the USA. In addition students undertaking volunteer coaching at university who are signed up to the BUCS Leadership and Volunteering programme will have the opportunity to also undertake a summer placement.

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*NB – Additional Specialism’s included in the BUCS Leadership and Volunteering programme – working with teams

- Physiotherapist - Football Analysis- Psychologist- Strength and conditioning coach- Pitch First Aider

Entry into Football Futures ProgrammeTheme Choice 2 – Refereeing

Football Futures – Refereeing pathway

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Stage 1 – qualificationsThrough Football Future programmes locally young leaders should be recruited and supported locally to gain qualifications as outlined below in diagram 1. Additionally Leaders should be encouraged to undertake the Leadership through Football module.

Stage 2 – volunteering and mentoringThrough Football Future programmes locally young leaders should be offered the opportunity for a volunteer placement in a Charter Standard League, intra or interschool fixtures, intramural leagues or college or university games where they complete their six games to gain their qualification (Basic Referees, Futsal or Mini-Soccer*). Leaders will be offered the chance to be assigned their own mentor as part of the National Referee Development Programme.*Mini-Soccer course underdevelopment

Stage 3 – national Leadership and volunteering campsFor leaders 16-19 showing potential there is the opportunity to be selected to attend The FA, ISFA or BUCS Leadership and Volunteering National Camp. Where along with a wide range of other workshops they will have the opportunity to further develop and share their refereeing skills. If you are a full time university student places will be available to attend the Football Futures National BUCS Leadership and Volunteering Camp.

Stage 4 – national referee development programmeLeaders that become qualified referees if showing potential may be selected to attend a County FA refereeing Academy or Centre of Excellence. Young Referees may be selected to run the line for ESFA or ISFA national finals as part of their development.Model to support a refereeing pathway through The FA’s Leadership and Volunteering programmeEntry into the Football Futures Refereeing Programme;Option 1 – Basic Referees Course

Age 14+, 21 Hours Tutor Time, 11v11Enrolment within National Referee Development Programme (NRDP). Placement within League/Club/CofE etc. Referees 6 MatchesFully Qualified RefereeSignposted to CFA Refereeing Academy/Centre of Excellence

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Option 2 - Junior Officials Course – *under developmentAges TBC, 6 Hours Tutor Time, focus on Mini – SoccerEnrolment within National Referee Development Programme (NRDP). Placement within League/Club/CofE etc. Referee 6 MatchesNew Level of refereeing developed - Junior Official (or something similar). Able to Referee Mini-SoccerOption of 6 Hour 'Bolt On' to become a Fully Qualified Referee

Further Option – Bolt on CourseA course that would allow a ‘junior official’ to convert to a level 7/8 refereeShorter course than full BRC – encouraging participants to progress in refereeing if they have enjoyed their experience in mini-soccerSubsidised rate?Tangible contribution to NGS targets (8,000 new referees by 2012)

When the leader becomes a fully qualified referee, we would expect the County FA to offer a mentor to the leader, through the NRDP. If the leader showed sufficient potential and commitment, there should be the option of an invite to the County FA’s Referee Academy or Centre of Excellence. This would support the leader in gaining promotion(s) to officiate at a higher level.

Option 3 – Futsal Referees CourseAge 16+. 10 Hours Tutor TimeFutsal Referees can be registered and tracked on CASCourse open to existing referees, and as a stand-alone qualificationVolunteering opportunities in County FA Futsal leagues, Intra and Inter School Competitions

NB. Any individual could decide to take all 3 options and gain a qualification in every format

Diagram 1 Entry into Football Futures Programme

Theme Choice – Refereeing

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Basic Referees Course Mini Soccer Course Futsal CourseLevel 9 (To be developed)

6 Matches – NRDP 6 Matches Opportunities to Referee Futsal

Qualified Mini-Soccer Referee

Level 8/7 Bolt-on CourseTheme Choice 3 – Running & Supporting Events

Football Futures – Events pathway

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Stage 1 – volunteering Through Football Future programmes locally young leaders should be offered the opportunity to volunteer at events whether it is running an intra school or intramural festival or league to a county or regional mini-soccer or disability tournament or festival.Good practice is for leaders to be assigned a mentor or buddy to support them to develop a range of skills in different roles.

Stage 2 - qualificationsLeaders should be supported locally to gain the Leadership through Football qualification, *FA Running Events module or evidence based *Running Events award for leaders in Higher Education.*To be developed.

Stage 3 – national leadership and volunteering campFor leaders 16-19 showing potential there is the opportunity to be selected to attend The FA Leadership and Volunteering National Camp either through their County FA, the ISFA Leadership and Volunteering Camp or BCS Leadership and Volunteering programme. If you are a full time university student places will be available to attend the Football Futures National BUCS Leadership and Volunteering Camp.

Stage 3 – Football Futures Academy - national events placement programme strandFor leaders 16-19 showing potential there is the opportunity to be selected to attend The FA Leadership and Volunteering National Camp. This provides the opportunity to be selected into the Football Futures Academy – National Events placement programme. Football Future Ambassadors from the ISFA, BCS and BUCS Leadership programme who have chosen Events as their main theme will be selected annually into the national programme. The national programme will be made up of national events run by ESFA, ISFA, BCS, BUCS and The FA such as a range of ESFA and ISFA finals, BCS and BUCS national championships, FA Futsal Cup, National Disability Festival and *potentially major football matches at Wembley Stadium and other venues in England hosting England youth or women’s matches or tournaments. We will also be working with the 8 Womens Super League Clubs.Additional places will be offered to young people with disabilities identified by The FA Disability Manager who may have not had the opportunity to be part of the Leadership programme locally. We will also be working with the 8 Womens Super League Clubs to develop opportunities across the themes. *Aspiration

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Entry into Football Futures ProgrammeTheme Choice 4 – Running and Developing the Game

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Football Futures – Running and developing the game pathway

Stage 1 – volunteering Through Football Future programmes locally young leaders should be offered the opportunity to volunteer with the assisting of running a charter standard club or league, a school, college or university league in particular intra school and intramural or a community based league such as street league or similar initiatives. Leaders may be supporting the fixture secretary, organising times for players to meet, taking minutes at committee meetings, using Full-time to input results or even gaining sponsorship or writing a development plan there are a whole array of jobs that need to be undertaken to assist the smooth running of a clubs, leagues and competitions.To support the transition into a club Leaders can be assigned as the ‘Club Linker’, ** a person whose responsibility is to liaise with the education establishment from where they are from and the club they have the partnership with to support players smooth transition into a Charter Standard Club. Club linkers would physically attend the first training session to introduce players to the new player and coaches.Good practice is for leaders to be assigned a mentor to support them to develop a range of skills in different roles.Leaders can be supported to set up and run their own Student Management Team to support the organisation and running of intra-mural competitions or events or community based leagues e.g. MARS play football. This will support leaders to develop their organisational, time and man-management, teamwork, communication and other life skills they can take into adulthood. Leaders could be co-opted onto County FA or other organisations committees to give a young person’s perspective.

Stage 2 – national or county fa management teamsLeaders who have shown potential and commitment to their CFA, ISFA, BCS Apprentices, and BUCS or selected at The FA National Leadership and Volunteering Camp will have the opportunity to be selected to be on one of the four national management teams as a Football Futures Ambassador to support the organisations and running of county, regional or national projects and events.

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Leaders involved with CFA programmes will have the opportunity to be on a County FA Leaders Management Team (where they exist).Football Future Ambassadors and Apprentices (BCS only) will have the opportunity to form a National Leadership and Volunteer Council to oversee the implementation of the Leadership and Volunteering Strategy for young people.Good practice is for leaders to be assigned a mentor to support them to develop a range of skills in different roles.

NB – Ambassadors will be selected from across the six themes

Stage 3 – national leadership and volunteering campFor leaders 16-19 showing potential there is the opportunity to be selected to attend The FA Leadership and Volunteering National Camp either their County FA, through the ISFA Leadership and Volunteering Camp or BCS Leadership and Volunteering programme. If you are a full time university student places will be available to attend the Football Futures National BUCS Leadership and Volunteering Camp.

Stage 4 - qualificationsLeaders should be supported to gain The FA Running and developing the game qualification that will be evidenced based.*

Stage 5 –Football Futures Academy- national work placement programme strand***For leaders 18+ showing a desire to work in the football industry (Governance and Development) there is the opportunity to be selected to undertake a work placement in a County FA. Leaders will be enrolled into the Football Futures Academy – Running and developing the game placement programme and supported accordingly. A small number of scholarships will be offered to Football Futures National Ambassadors or BCS Apprentices.A number of work placement roles will be available for those aged 18+ at ISFA, BCS, BUCS and The FA for Football Futures National Ambassadors or BCS Apprentices. We will also be working with the 8 Womens Super League Clubs to develop opportunities across the themes.

*To be developed** Under development*** Being piloted

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Stage 5 –Football Futures Academy - changing faces strand

Annually a small group of talented young women who are looking to work in the football industry in a coaching, development or governance role will be invited to apply to be part of the Changing Faces programme as part of the Football Futures Academy. This will be to support more women coming through into senior positions in the future. We will also be working with the 8 Womens Super League Clubs to develop opportunities across the themes.

All participants will be provided with a senior female mentor working in the industry.

Entry into Football Futures ProgrammeTheme Choice 5 –Promoting the Game

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Football Futures –Promoting the game pathway

Stage 1 – volunteering Through Football Future programmes locally young leaders should be offered the opportunity to volunteer with promoting the game in their local community, supporting charter standard clubs and leagues as well as leaders own school, college or university. This could include website development, writing match or event reports, producing young person friendly marketing materials, managing social networking sites, developing short films as part of school, college or university media modules, forming relationships with local media to provide interviews and stories or even as London FA did during the world cup developing relationships with the BBC or other organisations to develop football media projects.

Stage 2 – national or local campsFor leaders 16-19 showing potential there is the opportunity to be selected to attend The FA Leadership and Volunteering National Camp either their County FA, through the ISFA Leadership and Volunteering Camp or BCS Leadership and Volunteering programme. If you are a full time university student places will be available to attend the Football Futures National BUCS Leadership and Volunteering Camp.

Stage 3 – qualificationsLeaders should be supported to gain the promoting the game qualification that will be evidenced based.*

Stage 4 – working on national eventsLeaders will have the opportunity to be selected to work on ESFA, FA, BCS and BUCS national events in a number of different roles such as journalist, film crew or interviewer.*To be developed

Entry into Football Futures ProgrammeTheme Choice 6 –Respect Ambassador

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Football Futures –Respect Ambassador Pathway

Stage 1 – volunteering Through Football Future programmes locally young leaders should be offered the opportunity to volunteer at events whether it supporting an intra school or intramural college or university festival or league, a county or regional mini-soccer or disability tournament or festival or a Charter Standard League.

Leaders should be called Respect Ambassadors and have the following remit.

Ensure teams have been sent, read and understand the rules of the competition. Ensure teams and spectators are issued with Respect Codes of Conduct and reminded of their responsibility pre, during and post

matches Report any bad practice to an competition organisers Ensure captains work with referees to manage player behaviour, gain feedback from referees around good and bad practice Putting Respect barriers up to create specific designated spectator areas that do not allow spectators onto the pitch Deliver workshops or presentations to fellow students and leaders around the FA Respect programme Create links with promoting the game leaders to help raise the profile of the respect campaign amongst students and the local

communities Produce annual report of respect programme in institutions or County FAs.

Good practice is for leaders to be assigned a mentor or buddy to support them to develop a range of skills.

Stage 2 – qualifications Leaders should be supported locally to complete the Respect on-line module*

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*proposal to develop for young people

Stage 3 – national placement programmeFor leaders 16+ recommended by their CFA or Focus Institutions there is the opportunity to represent the ESFA, ISFA, BCS, BUCS and The FA at a range of ESFA and ISFA finals, BCS and BUCS national championships the FA Futsal Cup and the National Disability Festival. We will also be working with the 8 Womens Super League Clubs to develop opportunities across the themes.

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2. Football Futures – National Programme

Football Futures – Diversity and safeguardingTo increase the diversity and ensure the young people in the programme are safeguarded we will monitor the County FA and Focus College programmes in partnership with the Equality and Child protection department to ensure the programme offered is appropriately diverse and safe. We will create partnerships with likeminded bodies including The National Deaf Children's Society, BBC Your Game; Kick it out and the Youth Sport Trust to name but a few.

Football Futures - National leadership and volunteering campThe FA run an annual Leadership and Volunteering camp for 100+ leaders who are actively volunteering in County FA, ISFA, BCS or BUCS programmes. The camp run over five days provides a range of workshops such as media training, coaching, refereeing, futsal, psychology and disability football. In additional teambuilding session are run each evening. The camp ethos is to support each individual leader to fulfil their potential and develop life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, reflection and problem solving.

The Independent Schools run a 2 day leadership camp specifically designed to meet the needs of leaders from the independent sector with two leaders being selected to attend the FA National Camp.

Football Futures - Management teamsA team of young people are selected annually by all education partners to support them to plan and deliver high quality leadership camps and events.

Football Futures –AmbassadorsLeaders have the opportunity to be selected as a County FA’s or Focus institutions Football Future Ambassador to help promote the County FA or Focus institution Leadership and volunteering programme including presentations, mentoring or being a buddy to younger leaders. Once selected into the Football Futures National Academy leaders will have the opportunity to be selected to represent their organisation as a national or regional ambassador.

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Football Futures – Academy (St Georges Park)The FA currently has a National Coach Scholarship programme to support the development of our talented and gifted young coaches. The programme caters for up to 50 young coaches who have shown potential and have already gained a level 1 coaching qualification.

NB – Young coaches with disabilities identified as showing commitment and a desire to develop can be selected into the programme without any formal coaching qualifications.

The desire is to expand the number and range of national schemes to sit under the Football Futures Academy umbrella. National Coach Scholarship programme National Running and Developing the Game scholarship programme National Events placement programme National Changing Faces, Young Womens Leadership Development programme

St Georges National Football Centre will be used as an inspirational centre to provide training and support to those in national programmes.

Football Futures - National advisory groupA national council of ambassadors will be formed to oversee the implementation of the strategy and ensure the programme is student led. Members will be selected from those leaders in the varying programmes.

Football Futures - Volunteer mentorsTo support and develop the young leaders in the Academy and national programmes a team of Football Futures volunteer mentors will be recruited, developed and deployed. All mentors will attend The FA Mentoring for Success 2 day workshop or one day FA Mentoring Adults course.

A range of resources will be developed to support staff in institutions and County Football Associations responsible for managing the Futures programme.

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Football Futures – Inspire programme

Young leaders can be the drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship to support this theory the Football Futures ‘INSPIRE’ scheme will be launched to encourage young leaders to mobilise themselves and develop projects in their own communities that not only support the community but also support other young people, who are younger than themselves to get involved in volunteering and begin their very own leadership journeys. An Inspire toolkit will be developed to support leaders to develop local programmes. Leaders will have the opportunity to nominate their project for a £1,000 award annually.

Football Futures - International programmes

The FA’s international leadership and volunteering programme Changing Lives was established in 2005 to provide a pinnacle to the Leadership programme and an inspirational opportunity for young football leaders to experience volunteering abroad whilst leaving a small legacy by sharing their own leadership skills with other young leaders from the host country. The countries listed below have all benefited from the programme to date.

- Lesotho- Botswana (Programme delivered twice)- Malawi- Cape Town- Trinidad and Tobago

Entry Route into The FA Changing Lives programme

Stage 1 – volunteering

Leaders aged 16-19 years old must be part of a County FA, ISFA or BCS leadership and actively involved in volunteering in their community.

Stage 2 – national leadership camp

Two places are offered to every County FA for one boy and one girl to attend The FA national leadership and volunteering camp. 10 places are offered to BCS, 2 places to ISFA, 10 places to BBC Your Game and 2 places to the national deaf children’s society. In addition each region is

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offered an additional place for one person with a disability if they have not come through county selection. Leaders are formatively assessed throughout the week on their leadership skills using a Leadership Behaviour Matrix that has been developed by The FA.

Stage 3 – Changing Lives

Four young people are selected to develop other young leaders in the host country and provide coaching in primary schools for a week. Each young leader is allocated their own personal mentor throughout the week to support their own personal development.

Entry Route into the BCS Lead Further international programme in India

The BCS Lead Further international programme in India

The BCS Lead Further international programme in India will be launched in 2010. Ambassadors from the BCS Leadership and Volunteering programme who have shown dedication and commitment to volunteering, supporting BCS and their own personal development will be selected to be part of the programme.

Coaching in the USA – summer programmes

There are two routes to be able to part of the UK Soccer partnership that has been established with The FA and BUCS.

FA – coaches on The FA coach scholarship programme aged 19+ are eligible to be nominated for interview with UK Soccer.

BUCS – BUCS have created a new partnership with UK soccer to support students aged 19+ who have gained a coaching qualification, are actively volunteering and recording their hours through the BUCS Leadership site to be interviewed and supported to coach in the USA for Uk Soccer.

GOAL 2 - To develop a range of leadership and volunteering training courses, modules and resources to develop young leaders

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Our MilestonesTo fulfil this vision we have set overall targets to 2015

Goal Timescale Lead

3. A minimum of six leadership and volunteering courses and or modules and a leadership and volunteering toolkit in place for leaders and partner organisations

2 2011-12 NCEM, NFDME, Education team

If we are collectively going to develop our future workforce providing high quality training and resources to support teachers, lecturers development staff and the young person it is imperative to the success of the programme.

*Youth unemployment is rising more quickly than unemployment in for any other group and is forecast to exceed 1 million by 2010. Although providing employment is not the key driver in this strategy the development of leadership skills though football that young people can take into adulthood is. (*Taking the Lead – Youth Leadership in theory and practice, Lauren Kahn, Sarah Hewes and Rushanara Ali)

Leadership and Volunteering courses and modules

Junior football organiserThe JFO is the first step on developing a young person into a future football leader. With impressive leaderships programmes now taking place in primary schools it is imperative that opportunities for young leaders to become football leaders and gain formal recognition from the governing body starts at a younger age. It is therefore proposed to review the existing module and expand to include the award from 11years onwards.*Please note the name of the award may change.

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Leadership through footballA new ground breaking ‘Leadership through Football’, course for 14-19 year olds that is a level 2 1st4Sport qualification is now available on the QCA framework. The course covers four key themes;

- Coaching- Refereeing- Working with teams- Running Events

It is proposed to roll the course out to schools, colleges and third party delivery partners such as County FA’s and Football in the Community Schemes.

Football future leadership modulesDevelop a range of standalone modules to support young leader’s and staff development such as;

- Referees – Mini-Soccer- Working with teams- Running Events- Running and developing the game- Promoting the game- Mentoring

These will be developed to support 14-19 and 19+.

Football Futures Toolkits

Football futures leader’s resource packsIt is proposed to develop a standalone Football Futures Leaders pack for primary, secondary, clubs, community and uniformed groups, colleges and universities. The purpose will be to embed the philosophy and values of the national Leadership and Volunteering programme from a younger age and support the development of core life skills through a young person’s love of football.

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The toolkits will be developed in collaboration with key partners to ensure they meet the needs of the young people. There will be clear processes in place to ensure any young person in a Futures programme has the opportunity to enter into the local or national programmes. The range of toolkits will be as follows;

- Primary Toolkit- Secondary Toolkit- College / University- Club or Youth Club or Uniformed group

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Goal 3 – To recognise and reward young leaders

Our MilestonesTo fulfil this vision we have set overall targets to 2015

Goal Timescale Lead

4. Annual graduation and recognition awards

3 2011-15 EPM,ISFA, BCS,BUCS

Football Futures – county and focus institution awardsLeaders aged 16+ from each County FA involved in County FA programmes from across the 6 themes will be recognised and rewarded at a local level by their own County FA for their outstanding achievements.

Leaders aged 16-19 years from each focus institution involved in ISFA; BCS or BUCS programmes from across the 6 themes will be recognised and rewarded at a local level by their own school, college or university for their outstanding achievements.

Football Futures - annual graduation and recognition awardsOnce in The FA national programme for three years leaders are invited to their graduation where they are recognised and rewarded for their outstanding achievements and commitment to the programme.

Leaders involved in the ISFA, BCS and BUCS national programmes are recognised annually for their outstanding contribution to volunteering and their commitment to the programmes.

Leaders from the County FA programmes across the 6 themes will be recognised annually for their outstanding contribution to volunteering and their commitment to the programme.

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Leaders undertaking the the1st4Sport Level 2 Leadership through Football award, showing outstanding qualities from one of the modules (leading football activity session, refereeing, working with teams and football events) will recognised as a leader of the future.

Goal 4 – To promote the Football Futures programme to a wide range of young people and partner organisations

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To fulfil this vision we have set overall targets to 2015

Goal Timescale Lead

5. To launch a promotion campaign to attract and retain young volunteers

4 2011-15 NFDME, Education team

Promotional Campaign

A promotional campaign will be developed under the Get into Football banner to help recruit and retain new volunteers across the 6 themes into the Football Futures programme. Graduates, Ambassadors and Apprentices will be used as role models to help shape, develop and inspire other young people to get and stay involved. This will include the development of a specific section of the new FA Volunteers website and potentially a social networking site for young leaders.

Goal 5 – To track young leaders and undertake continuous research

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Our MilestonesTo fulfil this vision we have set overall targets to 2015

Goal Timescale Lead

1. To create a national database to track young leaders

5 2011-15 NFDME, EPO

2. To undertake ongoing research to shape, develop and continuously improve the Football Futures programme

5 2010-15 NFDME, EPO

A system to effectively track young leaders across the whole Football Futures leadership and volunteering programme will be established to support their development and provide robust evidence of the impact of the programme.

Annual research will be undertaken by The FA with partners and young people to continuously shape and develop the programme.

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Appendices

What Success Looks Like

Sarah Cummings – Age 18, from Tameside School Sport Partnership and Manchester FA

Throughout school I had participated and competed in a wide range of sports and after becoming school sports captain, my passion for sport led naturally to my involvement in leadership and volunteering. My journey into in sports leadership began towards the end of secondary school where I undertook the Junior Sports Leader Award. I thoroughly enjoyed completing it and straight away I was keen to put what I had learnt into practice. I took the opportunity to run a weekly girls football session at a local primary school and to see their progression inspired me to further pursue with volunteering.

So after arriving at sixth form I took the next step of completing the Community Sports Leader award, and just recently, I have achieved the Higher Sport Leader Award. As part of this I volunteered in the community in a range of activities, festivals and camps; working with both talented performers and people with disabilities. For the past 2 years I have also assisted coaching the boroughs girls’ football team.

The dedication and enthusiasm I displayed as a sports volunteer led to my selection as a Young Ambassador for the School Sport Partnership. The aim of this role was to inspire more young people to participate in sport. This involved visiting schools to deliver assemblies, broadcasting on local radio and speaking at various conferences – all promoting the Olympic ethos and positive values that sport brings. Through this programme, I was introduced to the county FA as I was nominated to take part in Manchester FA’s Leadership and Volunteering camp. As I result of this, I completed my FA Level 1 and was then given the chance to attend the National Camp in 2009.

My experience at national camp was brilliant. I spent a week surrounded by a really diverse mix of people from all over the country, however there was one thing everyone had in common; their passion for football. I learnt so much in such a short space of time and gained an insight into areas of football I’d never before considered. I took on board skills from both the tutors and the 100 other young leaders present which I then tried to incorporate into my own practice to improve myself as a leader.

Following camp, I was subsequently invited for an interview where I was lucky enough to be selected for the ‘Changing Lives’ trip to Botswana. This intense experience was such a massive step out of the comfort zone we were all used to, and overcoming language barriers was just one of the challenges we faced. On the first day, we visited an SOS orphanage where most of the children had lost their parents through AIDS. Yet these children were so positive and enthusiastic, it was eye-opening to see such a contrasting lifestyle to my own and how the medium of sport brought them together as a community. After this, we endured a hectic programme of coaching within the local primary schools, whilst trying to develop the leadership skills of a group of African young leaders. It really put our communication, teamwork and problem solving skills to the test, but it was extremely rewarding to see the development of the young leaders and fascinating to see a completely different approach to football.

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Following the African experience, I was then fortunate enough to become part of the Management Team for the 2010 national camp. This experience enabled me to develop a whole new set of skills as I witnessed a totally different side to the camp in which I had previously participated. I learnt to recognise strengths and weaknesses in myself, as well as other members of the management team and I explored different ways of self reflection.

Overall, the Leadership and Volunteering programme has helped me to develop not just as a leader, but as an individual. I am about to begin university, and will be looking to challenge myself further by becoming part of the coaching scholarship programme.

CASE STUDYLauren O’Sullivan, aged 21, BristolFA AmbassadorIn 2006 Lauren applied to attend the inaugural FA National Young Leadership Camp: aged 16, a keen footballer and voluntary football coach at her college and previous school, Lauren was eager to build on her experiences in football. Lauren was one of the fortunate 100 young leaders across the County selected to attend the FA Camp. The week provided an opportunity to experience a wide range of football disciplines, meet a lot of likeminded young people, form lifelong friendships and develop a host of key skills. And in additional, gave Lauren insight into potential career pathways within football.“This experience gave me such a huge opportunity to learn a lot about football development and about myself. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had and was the spark which triggered my aspirations to work in football development. Little did I know the camp was just the beginning; it snowballed into so many other great things”Following the camp, Lauren was selected to travel to Botswana with The FA and 3 other young leaders as part of The FA’s ‘Changing Lives’ Programme. During the week the group visited an SOS Village, home to over 200 orphaned and abandoned children. They also worked with a group of 25 young leaders from the local villages and guided them through a Junior Football Organisers course to leave a coaching legacy behind them after returning home.“Life changing is a phrase that can be used too easily or often; but this experience reflected the true meaning of ‘life changing’ for me. It’s difficult to put into words what this trip has done for me and the people we worked with. It made me aware of how powerful football can be: how it’s multi-lingual and can become something so much more than a game, but a tool to educate and develop people. The whole trip was incredibly moving and inspirational. It made me want to try and make a difference through football, both abroad and at home.”Since the 2006 Camp, Lauren continued volunteering at local schools and her local club. She has since annually worked on the FA Young Leadership Camp as a member of the management team and as a county member of staff. She has been involved with the organisation and delivery of several national and county events; and has received high volumes of support from The FA, her local county FA as well as her coach mentor from the FA Coach Scholarship Programme. Lauren’s employability skills have significantly developed through her involvement in the Young Leadership Programme. Her journey in the programme has lead to a 6 month contract as Acting Women’s and Girls’ Football Development Officer at Somerset FA. Furthermore, Lauren has recently presented to FIFA as part of the England 2018 World Cup Bid and has just been appointed as College and Community Football Co-ordinator for British Colleges Sport starting at the end of September.

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“ This programme is something very special. It has given me the confidence and belief to pursue my dreams, and taught me to seize every opportunity that comes my way as you never know where it could lead. I consider myself really fortunate to work in a job that I love, and am really grateful to everyone who has helped me get to where I am. I believe that Football has the power to unite people, develop people and transform the lives of people; this is what the FA Young Leadership Programme has done for me.”

Kieren Laverick - Age 18 From South Tyneside School Sport Partnership and Durham County FA

Before I became a leader all I used to do was play football, wherever and whenever I could. Since a young age I had always been a captain within my football teams and even in a basketball team and so going into leadership was almost a natural progression. 

I first got into volunteering through the Junior Sports Leaders Award (JSLA) which I achieved in year 10. From then on I continued to volunteer with my school and SSP and by the time I reached sixth form I was able to complete my Community Sports Leaders Award (CSLA). Through this I was then offered the chance to go to Durham County FA's Volunteering and Leadership day and through that I was selected to attend the national camp. 

The national camp was an amazing experience, meeting 100+ individuals, completely different to me yet all whom shared the same passion, football. My experiences here allowed me to grow by taking the best bits from other young leaders and trying to work them to the way I work, improving myself as a leader without looking too unnatural or uncomfortable in doing so. After the national camp I was lucky again, this time to be selected as a Management Team member for 2010, meaning I'd be returning to the camp at 1 of 9 young leaders to plan and run the camp for the next set of leaders.

The Management team experience has left me with an abundance of new skills that I've transferred into adult life. For example during the week 'delegation' was a big word for me. This meant that I needed to avoid taking every job on myself, meaning that I often had to find someone else, someone better suited to take over the job.

After all of this I am hoping to progress into working closer with the FA, with the long term aim of working for them in the future. I am hoping to develop further as a leader and eventually give something back to the Volunteering and Leadership programme that has helped me massively 

Emily simpkins - 20 years oldFA AmbassadorMy interest in coaching football began when I was just 16, where I started volunteering during the summer holidays with Derby County FITC gaining confidence with dealing with young players & session ideas. Along with this and my work experience week with the FITC I applied for a level 2 apprenticeship as a coach for the scheme and was successful.

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I saw this 2 year period as my biggest learning curve with developing & acquiring skills in delivering my session and as a young coach dealing with various situations which were unfamiliar to me within this environment including dealing with parents, children with disabilities, children with behavioural problems. I did this continuously for 6 days a week over a 2 year period working with a variety of coaches & players.

During my 1st year, I earned £40 a week, completed the Level 1 in coaching football course giving me sessions to use and ways to adapt sessions. I saw this as my first stepping stone to achieve future coaching qualifications. In my second year, I earned £80 a week and achieved my Level 2 qualification at the age of 17. This is when I began to understand the importance of coaching the players and managing their mistakes.

Aged 17, I was made aware of The FA Young Leadership Regional Day by the FDO at Derbyshire FA, where all young leaders/coaches from across East Midlands had the opportunity to share ideas and good practice with peers from others counties from across the region. From this event, 2 leaders from each county were put forward for the National Young Leadership Camp.

July 2007 I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend The FA National Young Leadership Camp. At this time I was in my 2 nd year as an apprentice coach. The Club allowed me the time off work to attend the camp as they saw it very beneficial to my role as coach and gave me the opportunity to develop in a number of areas.

However I didn’t realise how much the FA National Young Leadership Camp would have actually impacted on my life. The progress as a young leader /coach I made and to realise the support it afforded me and my future aspirations to continue my coaching career.

My FA Young Leadership Journey

My journey as a Young Leader/Coach has seen me develop so much over such a short period of time. Allowing me to have an insight into life experiences I would not have dreamed possible. This included coaching in Africa, spreading the awareness of HIV and AIDs, undertaking various roles as coach, leader, management member and mentor. These all posed different challenges and outcomes which has resulted in me developing in lots of areas. All this has resulted in who I am today and, I feel has made me into a young mature female.

With all these experiences and challenges it has played a massive part in my future aim /goals in life and my aspirations to continue with my football, I have realised I have to allow myself to be taken out of my comfort zone and try to learn at every opportunity in order to enhance my knowledge and understanding.

Following my success at the FA Young Leadership Camp I was amongst a small group of leaders invited to be involved with a Coaching Mentoring Scholarship Programme. We were all appointed highly qualified FA coach and I initially worked with John Griffiths - Regional Coach Development Manager

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and later Steve Pritchard – FA Tesco Skills Team Leader who became my own personal mentor as well as role model. They were there to support and guide us as individuals and also I was given the opportunity to observe them coach within their environments and provide me with feedback on my coaching sessions. By having that 1 to 1 contact my mentor was able to highlight my own individual strengths to build on and able to task me challenges to improve on my weaknesses.

Three years on from camp I am now working full time, employed by The FA as a Skills Coach as part of The FA Tesco Skills Programme . It’s now coming up to 10 months as I started in this role in October 2009. This includes working with and developing children between the ages of 5-11. I Coach within Schools, Charter Standard Clubs & Skills Centres working alongside Class Teachers and Club Coaches giving them the support when coaching football. By becoming a better coach I hope the players I coach will benefit. I find myself passing on my own knowledge to young leaders/coaches by mentoring them and also tutoring at the ‘FA Young Leadership Camp 2010’. I had the opportunity to deliver a workshop on ‘creating a positive environment when coaching young players. ’ This helps provide me with a continuing challenge in various situations and environments , helps me strive to develop as a coach to be the best I possibly can taking on board colleagues feedback and working on these areas to improve.

In 2008 I initially applied for a role as a Skills Coach where I was not successful and had to deal with the set back of not getting the job and I think the skills and experiences that I had gained from my journey so far has enabled me highlight my weaknesses and make me more determined for when the next opportunity comes along. I feel the skills I gained from the Leaders Camp and all it gave me helped me become stronger.

It would be fair to say without the opportunity of my Young Leadership Journey I wouldn’t be where I am now, knowing what I know, experiencing what I have experienced and gaining all the friendships/relationships and contacts I have. From volunteers/ peers on the camp to my work colleagues and the National FA staff.

My Journey as a young coach has definitely been life changing and would recommend volunteering, FA Young Leadership Camp to any young person that is inte

Jaz Bradley – Age 18 from Hartlepool School Sports Partnership and Durham CFACASE STUDYJaz began volunteering aged 15 helping out with her secondary school and also her local football and basketball clubs. She is now in her 3 rd year of Durham FA’s Leadership Programme and completed over 300 hours of football volunteering in the past 12 months. When she turned 16 Jaz started at Hartlepool College of Further Education where she studied for her BTEC National Diploma in Sport. During her two years at college she gave up a lot of her time to volunteer both for the School Sport Partnership and her local community, delivering coaching sessions to girls in the local primary schools and her local FA Charter Standard Club; Seaton Carew Juniors FC. Jaz’s main involvement in volunteering is through coaching disability football where she runs coaching sessions at the local special school in Hartlepool every week, working with children aged 11-16 years. In addition to this she also assisted college staff with the establishment and delivery of the Hartlepool Sportsability Club. This club is based at the college and provides weekly multisport

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sessions to encourage adults with disabilities to get involved in sport. Her commitment to the disability work in Hartlepool lead to her being voted Young Volunteer of the Year in 2009 and 2010 and also the Colleges Sports Personality of the Year 2010 for the difference she has made to the development of her chosen sport. Jaz’s passion for working in disability football lead to her being selected as a volunteer for the Blind World Championships 2010 where she spent 12 days in Hereford as part of the events management team. During the 2009-10 season she volunteered on a regular basis for British Blind Sport working with blind and visually impaired children, introducing them to football, refereeing and running skills sessions at the National Junior Tournament in Telford and helping young leaders with visual impairments to gain their JFO qualification. Jaz was also selected to represent Durham FA at the FA Leadership & Volunteering Camp 2010 and despite starting University in September will continue to support the development of disability football in Hartlepool through her weekly coaching sessions in the schools.

Quote “I really enjoy volunteering as it’s great to see the kids enjoying the sessions and learning new skills. I find coaching disability football really rewarding as many have never played sport before and a lot of barriers got in their way but we have managed to change that and give them the opportunity to play every week. My week at the FA Camp and two weeks at the Blind World Cup were the best of my life and I even though I had some experience of blind football I have learnt so much. None of this would have been possible if it hadn’t been for the FA‘s Leadership Programme and I am definitely staying involved while I’m at university. I have gained confidence, new qualifications, knowledge and experience and made loads of new friends!”

rested in coaching football and want to develop themselves further.

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Summary of the Future - proposalsIn order to grow and develop the programmes across the sectors and address a number of our key challenges we propose to provide appropriate and innovative training to support our young workforce, thematically develop the programme, show clear progression across the themes including national opportunities. Provide support, guidance and share best practice to develop an emerging structure and programme locally and nationally.

1st4Sport Level 2 in Leadership through football The first of its kind in the country the LtF is an innovative award for 14-19 year olds supporting students across leading football activity session, refereeing, working with teams and football events. Additional standalone modules will also be developed to support a wider age range.

Six leadership and volunteering Football Futures themes to be developed in; Coaching & Working with teams, Refereeing Running & Supporting Events, Running and developing the game, Promoting the game Respect Ambassadors

Local Leadership and Volunteering CampsThe majority of County Football Associations will run a one day camp to provide CPD to their leaders in their volunteering programmes.

National Leadership and Volunteering Camps*The FA run an annual Leadership and Volunteering camp for 100+ leaders who are actively volunteering in County FA, ISFA, BCS or BUCS programmes. The camp run over five days provides a range of workshops such as media training, coaching, refereeing, futsal, psychology and disability football. In additional teambuilding session are run each evening. The camp ethos is to support each individual leader to fulfil their potential and develop life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, reflection and problem solving.

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The Independent Schools run a 2 day leadership camp specifically designed to meet the needs of leaders from the independent sector with two leaders being selected to attend the FA National Camp. BUCS are investigating running a two day national camp.

Local and Student Management TeamsCounty FA’s and institutions to be encouraged to develop management teams or student management teams to organise activities such as camps, intramural leagues, festivals etc and provide a student voice on committees.

National Management TeamsThe FA, ISFA, BCS and BUCS all have their own Management Teams to support their programmes, events and camps.*programme varies annually

Football Futures AcademyThe FA currently has a National Coach Scholarship programme to support the development of our talented and gifted young coaches. The programme caters for up to 50 young coaches who have shown potential and have already gained a level 1 coaching qualification.

NB – Young coaches with disabilities identified as showing commitment and a desire to develop can be selected into the programme without any formal coaching qualifications.

The desire is to expand the number and range of national schemes to sit under the Football Futures Academy umbrella. National Coach Scholarship programme National Running and Developing the Game scholarship programme National Events placement programme National Changing Faces, Young Womens Leadership Development programme

Football Futures –ambassadors

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Leaders have the opportunity to be selected as a County FA’s or Focus institutions Football Future Ambassador to help promote the County FA or Focus institution Leadership and volunteering programme including presentations, mentoring or being a buddy to younger leaders. Once selected into the Football Futures National Academy leaders will have the opportunity to be selected to represent their organisation as a national ambassador.

Football Future – volunteer MentorsA network of volunteer leadership and volunteering mentors will be established across the country to support leaders in the national programme. Training and support will be provided to mentors who have a passion for developing young people and our young people of the future.

Graduation and Recognition awardsLeaders in the national FA programme for three years will be formally recognised through a graduation ceremony and automatically become a National Football Futures Ambassador. ISFA, BCS and BUCS will annually select a maximum of 10 leaders to be recognised at the awards. County FA’s have the opportunity to nominate leaders across the 6 themes to be recognised nationally at the awards. Students undertaking the LtF award will have the opportunity to be nominated across the 4 Ltf themes and Focus institutions and CFA’s will be encouraged to award local awards across the 6 themes.

Football Futures - national advisory groupA national advisory group of ambassadors will be formed to oversee the implementation of the strategy and ensure the programme is student led.

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