Refereeing can be an incredibly rewarding hobby and even a career. To become a referee, all referees start with their FA Referees Course and have the opportunity to progress all the way through the game. There are many good reasons to become a referee for junior grassroots football. Here’s ten
Futsal is growing in rapidly in popularity across Europe and most of the world’s footballing nations. It is an exciting, fast-paced form of the game that originates in South America.
Parents behaviour at grassroots football has become a key talking point. The vast majority of parents who attend their child’s grassroots matches are great. They are committed, supportive, encouraging and there for their child, whether it is a win, draw or loss.
How To Become A Football Coach – Our guide shows you how to gain your football coaching qualification such as FA Level 1, Level 2 and more
FA regional coach development manager, Martin Dighton, provides ten top tips for grassroots football coaches to help fully engage with players during winter football training.
The XbotGo Chameleon works with your smartphone. It will automatically capture AI-enhanced footage of your football games and training sessions.
The Junior Premier League (JPL) is England’s largest national youth football league, offering an elite, player-focused environment for boys and girls aged U7 to U18. With a development-first ethos, structured match formats, robust coaching standards, and clear pathways into professional academies, the JPL offers quality grassroots football—and this post explains
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Every weekend, thousands of talented young footballers lace up their boots, step onto pitches across the country, and dream of making it to the top. Yet, despite the passion, hard work, and promise, only a tiny fraction ever get scouted by professional clubs.
The professional football youth academies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have produced some of the world’s most celebrated players.
If you’re reading this it’s probably because you have taken on the responsibility of running a grassroots football team. Firstly, well done – whilst it might feel like quite a daunting task, it can also be a very rewarding one, as those of us who have been down this road
When my child got into a professional football academy, I had to ask myself—why did this mean so much to me? Sure, they dreamed of being a pro footballer, but was I just supporting their goal, or was I chasing something myself? In this article, we question Why Are Parents
What is a Football Academy? If you regularly attend junior grassroots football matches, you’ll often hear phrases like “he’s an academy player” or ‘“he used to be at an academy’” or “he should be playing at an academy”’ or “he was released from an academy”. But in case you are
In order to play matches against other clubs, you’ll need to register your grassroots team and players with an affiliated grassroots football league.
Running a grassroots football club requires a huge amount of time and effort from volunteers. Let’s take a look at the grassroots football club roles – Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Welfare Officer (CWO), Coach / Team Manager etc.
The result should never be the most important thing in grassroots football at the development stage, but unfortunately this is still the case for the majority. Equal playing time can be an issue for many players and parents.
Parents have a massive influence on their child’s football development and their journey in grassroots football. Choosing the right grassroots football team is one of those key decisions, which can impact on the development and enjoyment of the game for your child.
The Silent Support Weekend in grassroots football gives an opportunity for the players to do the talking in junior grassroots football, with parents and supporters showing their support from the sidelines through applause only.
Heading ban for to be trialled by the Football Association in England for under-12s
3 New Years Resolutions which grassroots football coaches, players and parents should make in order to improve their experience of junior grassroots football.
A grassroots football coach wrote this extraordinary letter after getting abuse from parents A grassroots football coach overheard comments made about him behind his back and opened his heart in a letter to those parents who criticise him. Giving up your time to help others can be a thankless job.
the challenges faced by junior football referees can be unique and different from their more experienced counterparts. In this blog post, we will explore 7 challenges faced by junior grassroots football referees
The Football Association (FA) has announced a controversial new law banning tackling in all youth football matches up to the Under-13 age group.
Football Scouting is big business. There is a huge network of football scouts across the UK who attend grassroots football games seeking to identify the next generation of talent, but how is this regulated, and what is the Code of Conduct?
DBS Checks, First Aid and Safeguarding are essential and paramount to all grassroots clubs and coaches to ensure compliance with FA guidelines and policies.
This article outlines the steps which needed to be taken in order to qualify and officiate as a junior grassroots referee for junior grassroots football games.
We recently attended a junior football match in which the home team won 18-0. As a parent and as a coach we must question why we are seeing these scores, who benefits, and how can these scorelines could be avoided. Here’s our thoughts…
Discover essential grassroots football coaching tips with our practical guide for junior football coach advice. From communication to player development, get expert coaching tips for grassroots coaches and build a positive, successful football environment.
The path to becoming a professional footballer is laden with harsh truths that may seem discouraging, yet they are essential in shaping a true athlete.
In a nutshell, football scouts attend grassroots football matches in order to look for the most talented players, who can fit into pro academy teams.
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Article from an anonymous parent – “It’s the other grassroots football parents that are the problem!”
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The Power Play rule, introduced by the FA in 2018, means that junior grassroots football teams are allowed to bring on extra players when they fall four goals behind. The rule is aimed at teams from under-sixes to under-11s in five and seven-a-side games. It is up to the county
In celebration of Mother’s Day, we thought it only fitting to highlight what makes football Mums so special and why we should thank them, for all that they do!
Grassroots football matches are a fantastic way to encourage children to be active and enjoy team sports. As parents, it is important to create a positive and supportive environment for our children to participate in.
Discover how cutting-edge technology like Veo cameras, club management tools, and advanced football coaching software are transforming youth football. Embrace the future of grassroots football!
This weekend will see tens of thousands of kids across the country playing grassroots football. Before parents start barking from the touchline, one grassroots football coach, who has asked to remain anonymous, offers some advice to parents bearing in mind the FA Respect code of conduct…
In most cases, everything that you need as a grassroots coach to run your team will be provided by your club – including football Kit, Training Equipment, Goals and Balls.
One of the first things to consider as a junior grassroots football coach is your team philosophy. It’s worth having a clear idea what it is you want the children you’re coaching, their parents and the coaches.
In this blog, we will explore some of the common challenges for grassroots football coaches and provide some coaching advice and tips that may help you when working with your grassroots team.
Our articles cover everything connected to junior grassroots football. You’ll find practical advice on coaching, training tips for all age groups, and guidance for parents who are new to the world of grassroots. We share inspirational stories from clubs and volunteers making a difference, celebrate successes both big and small, and highlight the dedication behind the scenes that keeps clubs running.
Read about fun drills and games to keep young players engaged, as well as expert advice on supporting children’s growth—on and off the pitch. Whether you’re looking for ways to build confidence, ideas for inclusive sessions, or tips on managing match day nerves, our blog is here to help.
We shine a light on the hard work of club officials, volunteers, and coaches. Discover advice on fundraising, managing club admin, or attracting new volunteers. We also provide guidance on making grassroots football a safe, welcoming, and positive experience for everyone involved.
Grassroots football is about physical activity, but it’s also about mental health, resilience, and personal development. Our blog explores topics like nutrition for young athletes, balancing schoolwork and football, and the importance of rest and recovery.
We love hearing from the people who make grassroots football special. Our blog regularly features guest posts from clubs, coaches, players, and parents. These first-hand accounts and interviews offer honest perspectives, creative ideas, and a sense of what’s really happening in the world of junior grassroots.
The Grassroots Blog isn’t just for reading—it’s for sharing. We encourage clubs, parents, coaches, and young players to contribute their own stories, advice, or questions. If you have an idea for an article or want to share your grassroots journey, we’d love to hear from you.
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Together, let’s celebrate everything that makes junior grassroots football so unique, inclusive, and inspiring. Welcome to the Grassroots Blog—your voice, your stories, your community.