Hertfordshire FA has launched a new four-year strategy for grassroots football aimed at delivering a bigger, stronger and more inclusive game for everyone to enjoy

This local strategy for the game in Hertfordshire aligns with The FA’s new national strategy which also launched today. Both share the same goal, to grow and develop grassroots football, with a clear focus on the biggest opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed.

Strategic priorities and drivers:

• Improve playing choice and opportunity
• Deliver equal opportunities for women and girls to play
• Build more and improve existing facilities
• Tackle poor behaviour
• Develop a valued network of volunteers, coaches and referees
• Support thriving Community Clubs
• Connect and serve participants
• Progress the game’s governance

On the new grassroots strategy, Hertfordshire FA CEO, Karl Lingham said:

“The scale and influence of grassroots football means it is uniquely positioned to change lives for the better, bringing people together, creating opportunities and improving the health and wellbeing of those involved. We have a detailed plan to help drive sustainable growth and maximise these benefits for the people of Hertfordshire and look forward to working closely with everyone involved in the game locally to deliver it over the next four years”

On The FA’s new grassroots strategy, FA Director of Football Development, James Kendall, said:

“This new strategy has been created for the game, by the game, and is an important moment for the future of grassroots football in England. We have a clear direction with our new strategy, and with County FA’s and valued partners we are confident that this will help the grassroots game to thrive for years to come."

DOWNLOAD OUR 2024-28 Grassroots Football STRATEGY

 The Value of Grassroots Football to Society

To coincide with the launch of the grassroots strategy, The FA has also published a new report which sets out that the social and economic value of grassroots football in England equates to £15.9bn to society each year, of which our share in Hertfordshire is more than £492m based on our population and participation.

The report outlines how participation in grassroots football contributes in reducing physical and mental health conditions, helping people to live happier healthier lives. In our county alone this sees 3,923 significant health disorders prevented in adults and a 4,731 reduction in cases of childhood obesity. 

Grassroots football delivers positive outcomes for our society outside of the game too. For example, it provides children with opportunities to learn about teamwork, build relationships and trust others, so it’s no surprise that childhood football participation is also linked to a reduction in juvenile crimes.

Regular sport participation is associated with improved educational performance, through increased leadership, confidence and resilience, which in turn improves future earnings potential. All these statistics and the narrative behind them appear in the full report, which you can download below.

Social Health and Economic Value of Grassroots Football Report 2024