The English FA is preparing for a surge in support for the game at every level with the launch of a new brand England Football, and a suite of new digital offerings and engagement tools.
The victory of fans over billionaires in the row over the proposed European Super League has pushed the sports front and centre stage in people’s minds while having two teams contest the Champion’s League Final and hosting the semi-finals and Final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament this summer will switch the focus onto the field of play.
The new brand ‘aims to create more chances for people to play, coach and support football, and better connect the grassroots game with England’s national teams.’
The Men’s and Women’s teams getting to their most recent World Cup semi-finals gave a boost to the national sides which had been in retreat as the club game dominated.
The Women’s Euro Championships that were scheduled for this summer will now be held next year and have clear run at the summer with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar switched to November and December.
There are three main strands to the digital programme.
• EnglandFootball.com is the new digital home of English football for players, fans, coaches and volunteers. A one-stop online hub across all levels of the game providing comprehensive information and access to FA participation and grassroots programmes, plus the latest learning resources and the administrative tools that make managing the grassroots game more efficient. EnglandFootball.com will also become the main ‘home’ destination to follow all England National Teams.
• Find Football is a brand new digital tool helping players and parents find participation opportunities, at all levels and age groups, across the country. Players can now book their place on a number of popular England Football programmes – including Snickers Just Play, Weetabix Wildcats and Age UK Walking Football – directly via the Find Football tab on EnglandFootball.com.
• My England Football is a new, free rewards programme which will offer money-can’t-buy rewards, including the opportunity to play on the Wembley pitch, meet England players and watch them train, priority tickets, mascot places and behind-the-scenes matchday access as well as FA and partner discounts and offers.
The concept has been illustrated by a new video which can be seen below.
“This is a significant change as we unite all our grassroots initiatives and programmes under one banner,” said FA CEO Mark Bullingham. England Football will harness the unique ability of the England teams to inspire future generations and positively impact participation at all levels of the game. Kids want to be the next Steph Houghton, Harry Kane, Nikita Parris or Raheem Sterling.”
“As well as inspiring future generations, England Football’s digital tools will help us to create more opportunities to play, coach and support the game, nationwide. We want football to be For All and to play a major role in getting the country active following the impact of COVID 19 – England Football will help achieve that.”
The FAI is among more than 250+ members of the Sport for Business network of sporting and business organisations working together across a number of key areas.
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