FA to spend £200m on grassroots football

Times Online and Agencies

The Football Association have announced plans to spend £200million on grassroots football in England. After canvassing 37,000 people, the largest public consultation in their history, the FA's five year National Game Strategy is aimed at getting more people playing the game,

The initiative has highlighted the recruitment and retention of referees and coaches as almost a third of games are played without one. The scheme also includes action to improve the behaviour of players on the pitch - as well as those on the sidelines - towards match officials.

"We will work to address the critically high numbers of referees dropping out every season because of abuse, as well as providing more support in recruiting and retaining referees," an FA statement said.

"We will aim to provide a high-quality coaching environment for every player - whatever their age or ability. There are some challenging targets in the strategy. We rely hugely on 400,000 volunteers to run the game at a local level and need to support them more."

The FA will invest £44 million per year with £15m being handed to the Football Foundation in order to support the 7 million players, 125,000 teams and 1,700 leagues participating in the national sport every week.

"We have already shown that football can deliver against important national targets on health, physical activity, social inclusion and community cohesion. Now we want to challenge our strategic partners to work with us to invest in our national game," the statement added.

Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport, backed the proposals, saying: "I am pleased with the FA's plan to stamp out abusive behaviour that has no place either on or off the pitch."

"Success at the very top of the game is dependent on strong foundations at the bottom - so I am pleased that the FA are committed to improving access to the game at all levels and focusing on player development at an early age."