Day: May 24, 2022

The strategy, titled Empowering For Success, is backed by £1 million of investment per season for the next three years from the Premier League.

It will aim to ensure the advancements in quality across the professional game are also harnessed throughout Tiers 3 and 4 of the women’s football pyramid.

Empowering For Success is focused across eight priority areas, each with their own strategic goal, ultimately enabling FA WNL clubs to flourish both on and off the pitch through the development of players, workforce, and infrastructure. The eight priority areas are:-

1. Players: Developing the training, playing and overall environment players experience so they can be the best they can be, on and off the pitch.

2. Coaches and leaders: Developing coaches to be exceptional across the FA WNL, ensuring they are representative of society.

3. Referees: Driving upwards the standard of refereeing alongside improving the opportunity and experience of match officials in the FA WNL.

4. Club Development: Creating an inclusive, player-centred and sustainable club network.

5. League Development: Ensuring the FA WNL keeps pace with the growth of the women’s game and offers the best-possible development opportunities to member clubs.

6. Facilities: Ensuring FA WNL and clubs have access to the required infrastructure on matchdays, at training venues and off-field.

7. Commercial: Defining the FA WNL’s commercial value and engaging with partners to grow revenues and inward investment.

8. Marketing and Communications: Growing the reach and appeal of the FA WNL by increasing exposure and awareness through matchday activity and league channels, driving bigger attendances and league following.

The strategy unveils multiple commitments from the FA WNL across the eight priority areas to achieve each strategic goal. These include increasing the number of female coaches in the FA WNL, as well as those from historically under-represented communities; creating a dedicated pool of match officials specialising in women’s football; reviewing the competition structure; introducing minimum club requirements to support player development; providing opportunities for players to engage in non-playing roles within football.

Empowering For Success was created in collaboration with FA WNL member clubs, ensuring a range of voices from administrators and coaches to players and fans were all given the chance to help shape the future of the league.

By 2025 the strategy hopes to increase the recognition of the FA WNL amongst women’s football fans, decrease the number of weather-related postponements per season, increase the number of league commercial partners and increase the average attendance of league fixtures.

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, said: “The launch of this strategy is game-changing for the women’s football pyramid. It will ensure the FA WNL can maintain pace with the wider growth of the women’s game, and the clubs and their players can thrive both on and off the pitch. We want to say a huge thank you to the Premier League for their support, without which none of this would be possible. The money they are investing will transform the experience of everyone who plays in the third and fourth tiers of women’s football.”

The Premier League has also announced additional support for clubs in Tiers 3 and 4 of the women’s football pyramid through the Premier League Stadium Fund.

Eligible clubs can apply for grants of up to £20,000 to support the improvement of their stadium facilities, making grounds more welcoming for all and enhancing the playing and spectating experience within women’s football. The FA will be working with clubs to identify their facility needs, with funding being made available this summer. The Football Foundation will be handling the grant administration.

Sandi Dosanjh, FA Women’s National League board chair, said: “I’m incredibly proud and humbled by the collective efforts of the FA WNL board and management committee and the FA to develop a strategy that will prove to be a watershed moment for women’s football.

“For the players, coaches and fans of our clubs, we have truly been inspired by your passion for the game and will implement this strategy to take the league to the next level. The FA WNL is uniquely placed within women’s football to inspire positive change for communities around the country, whilst taking on-field quality to new levels. With the support of the FA, and with our strategy in place, the league and its clubs can continue to grow as the heartbeat of women’s football.”

Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, said: “It’s an exciting time for women’s and girls’ football in this country and we’re delighted to be able to assist the development of the game with investment that will support the FA Women’s National League clubs. Along with our funding for the Girls’ Emerging Talent Centres, it shows the Premier League’s commitment to provide opportunities for female players of all ages to progress.

“We’re proud of the investment we make to help develop football at all levels and this funding expands on the wide-ranging support we provide. Many of our clubs are committed to women’s and girls’ football and it’s important that the Premier League plays a role centrally.”

Source: The Football Association

Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Spartan, the world’s leading endurance sports and extreme wellness brand, have announced a limited amount of early discounts for registration, 200 days before the start of the second edition of the Spartan World Championship in the UAE capital.

The objective is to encourage all sectors of society to participate in the four open races and the competition for juniors, ensuring the entire UAE community has the chance to participate in the pinnacle weekend of global Obstacle Course Racing (OCR).

Taking place on a new course at Al Wathba from December 2-4, the second consecutive World Championship staged in the emirate provides residents and visitors the chance to take on the Sprint (5k; 20 obstacles), Super (10k; 25 obstacles), and Beast (21k; 30 obstacles) categories – known as the ‘Spartan Trifecta’ – as well as a Team Relay Super (10k; 25 obstacles) and a Kids’ Race on a 1-3km course featuring vast sand dune trails, iconic desert terrain, and a level that suits them.

Following last year’s hugely successful first event in Liwa, the Championship – which is held in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) – will take place at Al Wathba Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, situated just 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi.

Scheduled to be held across the UAE’s 51st National Day weekend, the course will also host the world’s best OCR athletes as they battle it out for more than $125,000 in prize money.

“This year’s event further emphasises the efforts being made in the emirate to build and nurture a culture of sport and exercise, in line with Abu Dhabi Government’s vision to cultivate healthier and happier lifestyles,” Aref Hamad Al Awani, the general secretary at ADSC, said.

“To be staged in Abu Dhabi for the second time in succession, the World Spartan Championship is highlighted to build and promote a sustainable sporting culture among the local community as well as to draw participation both internationally and from the region.”

Joe De Sena, Spartan founder and CEO, added: “The Spartan World Championship weekend is the perfect opportunity for the general public in the UAE to taste Spartan.

“They will be able to see the world’s best athletes in action in the pinnacle race of the OCR season – and then take on the course themselves. With four different categories on offer, as well as an event for kids, the UAE community will be able to come together to unlock their physical and mental potential, while having an amazing experience that is sure to change the way they view themselves.”

The Age Group World Championship Beast and Open Beast will take place on Saturday December 3, before participants of all ages and fitness levels can test themselves in either the Open Team Super, Open Super, Open Sprint, and Kids’ Open the following day.

Source: Abu Dhabi Sports Council

The Football Association and McDonald’s have today announced our 20-year partnership will conclude at the end of the 2021/22 season, leaving a lasting legacy which has helped to change and improve lives through the power of grassroots football in England.

The partnership, which began in 2002 and spans 20 successful years, has been the longest standing commercial partnership in the history of The FA.

During that period, the partnership has provided millions of hours of free football for children across the country and ensured that thousands of grassroots clubs have benefitted from vital support; from training over 20,000 football coaches and running community football days, to equipping thousands of FA accredited football clubs with brand new kits, bibs, balls and items of equipment each season.

McDonald’s will no longer be the presenting partner of the Community Shield, the SuperKicks website or the FA’s Grassroots Football Awards but will continue with its separate participation programme which in the last four years has provided over 5 million hours of football to 5-11 year olds.

Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive, said: “The FA’s partnership with McDonald’s has helped to positively change lives by giving millions of young people the opportunity to get involved and participate in grassroots football.

“The positive impact made by this partnership is something that we are very proud of and we would like to thank McDonald’s for their contribution which has played a huge part in helping to grow and develop the grassroots game in England. We wish them well in their new projects as they continue to help create opportunities for young people to play football across the country.”

Alistair Macrow, Chief Executive Office, McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “I am passionate about making a meaningful and positive impact on the communities we serve. Our longstanding commitment to grassroots football is one of our very best examples of this. Since 2002 we have worked with our partners at the UKFAs, our franchisees and restaurant teams to give millions of children the chance to enjoy football and to support thousands of football clubs, teams and projects across the UK.

“We are proud of our 20-year involvement in grassroots football and everything we have achieved so far. As we look ahead, our new programme will refocus our investment directly into participation, helping us to increase the impact and reach of the Fun Football programme by providing even more opportunities for communities to enjoy free football. Something enabled by the 20 years of learnings and achievements with the FA in grassroots football. I wish all at the FA well with their new commercial endeavours and thank them for their partnership over the last two decades.”

Source: The Football Association