News Archives - Team Grassroots

5 REASONS WHY YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD TRY FUTSAL DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

GRF Admin 11/11/2019

Mike Skubala, FA futsal elite performance manager and head coach of the England team, outlines five reasons why grassroots coaches should take their players indoors to play futsal this winter. 1) Do you want better players? There is lots of anecdotal evidence about…

An alternative approach to talent identification

GRF Admin 11/11/2019

The most interesting aspect to talent spotting are those players that are continually left behind. The forgotten ones are almost always the youngest and smallest in a year group. In England, where age-groups begin in September few players born in the second…

10 Top Tips for Winter training from the FA

GRF Admin 10/11/2019

Over the coming months, many coaches will brave winter conditions to deliver coaching sessions to young players. Here, FA regional coach development manager, Martin Dighton, provides ten top tips to help fully engage with players when working outdoors. 1) Young children are…

The Expectations Vs The Reality of Grassroots Football

GRF Admin 10/11/2019

Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting some fantastic people through coaching here in the UK. I’m not talking solely about coaches, I’m talking about good honest people in and around the game who are players, parents, referees, club…

Over training in children – How to Spot the Signs

GRF Admin 07/11/2019

It might seem strange reading about over training in children. Especially in an age where kids are supposedly less active! But it’s a very real possibility. I run a sports injury clinic and have seen a massive rise in the number of…

THE FA LAUNCHES SHOOTING STARS PROGRAMME IN OVER 1,200 PRIMARY SCHOOLS ACROSS ENGLAND

GRF Admin 05/11/2019

The FA’s Shooting Stars programme has launched in primary schools across England – with the aim of inspiring girls to get active and learn the fundamentals of football. Inspired by Disney storytelling and produced in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust and…

Are the Professional clubs getting scouting wrong with kids?

GRF Admin 16/10/2019

“Anyone who tells you they can spot a professional player at five years old is basically lying,” says talent ID manager Nick Levett, an expert in the eight to 11-year-old age group and one of several FA appointments encouraging clubs to improve…

20-0 !!! Coach speaks out, Why are we seeing these scores every week??

GRF Admin 13/10/2019

20-0 games are soul destroying and can take weeks, months to re build a child’s self esteem so why do we witness it week in week out ! And who benefits from this score line? So this weekend I’ve seen some interesting…

CALLING ON ALL GRASSROOTS PLAYERS, COACHES, REFEREES AND PARENTS TO TAKE OUR SURVEY

GRF Admin 11/10/2019

TAKE THE GRASSROOTS SURVEY Results from the 2018-19 edition identified five key areas – both on and off the pitch – where a renewed focus is required: 1. Identify the resources and tools that clubs need the most support with 2. Foster the…

ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK IS NOW OPEN

GRF Admin 16/09/2019

Accredited clubs are proud to maintain high standards to make sure they are among the best places to play and enjoy football in England. Each season, clubs make sure their people and policies are up to scratch. The FA support our grassroots…

Sin Bin – Frequently asked Questions Answered

GRF Admin 06/09/2019

The mandatory rule change will be implemented up to Step 5 of the National League System and Tier 3 and below in women’s football. Sin bins of 10 minutes will be issued at the discretion of referees as punishment for dissent, and…

Mum asks strangers to send Birthday cards to Son who’s ‘had enough of life’

GRF Admin 05/09/2019

Tanya Williams is sending a message to the world and is asking strangers to send birthday cards to her son Rhys, 13, who has a severe skin condition and has said “Hes had enough of Life”. The heartbroken mum would love to…