We’re excited to share recent, significant announcements from the Football Association (FA) that directly align with our club’s strategic vision. The FA has launched two new strategies designed to transform grassroots football and advance the women’s and girls’ game over the next four years.

These plans focus on sustainable growth, inclusivity, and creating positive change through football—objectives that resonate with our own goals at AFC Corsham.

Below, you’ll find summaries of each strategy, with links to the complete documents for more detailed reading.

1. Growing Grassroots Football: ‘A Thriving Grassroots Game’

On 23 October 2024, the FA unveiled ‘A Thriving Grassroots Game,’ a strategy aimed at developing grassroots football in England. Following extensive consultations with grassroots players, coaches, and clubs, this new strategy sets ambitious targets, projecting the addition of 220,000 new players and 15,000 teams by 2028. Here are the five priority areas outlined in this strategy:

• Improving playing opportunities: Aims to create flexible playing options to suit all levels and preferences.
• Equal opportunities for women and girls: Ensures that everyone, especially women and girls, has access to safe and enjoyable football.
• Facility enhancements: Plans to expand the quality and number of pitches nationwide.
• Addressing poor behaviour: Emphasises the importance of respect on and off the field, addressing issues like discrimination.
• Supporting volunteers, coaches, and referees: Intends to build a robust network of valued supporters of the game.

At AFC Corsham, we’re committed to supporting these objectives by fostering a welcoming environment for all players, volunteers, and coaches. This aligns with our aim to create a well-rounded football experience for our community while enhancing our facilities and maintaining high standards of behaviour. The FA’s focus on building strong community clubs complements our own strategic plan to ensure sustainable growth within our club.

For more details on this grassroots strategy, read the FA’s full strategy document here.

2. Advancing the Women’s and Girls’ Game: ‘Reaching Higher’

In a parallel effort to elevate the women’s and girls’ game, the FA also launched ‘Reaching Higher,’ its 2024-2028 strategy. Building on the successes of the past four years, this strategy seeks to unlock the full potential of women’s and girls’ football. The four strategic priorities include:

• Protecting the unique identity of women’s football: Recognises the cultural significance of the women’s game and seeks to preserve its distinct values.
• Achieving major tournament wins: Aims for success on the international stage through enhanced player pathways and inclusive talent development.
• Strengthening competition: Focuses on fostering competitive structures and supporting clubs to grow within women’s leagues.
• Ensuring equal playing opportunities: Aims to achieve gender parity in football access within schools and leagues.

At AFC Corsham, our commitment to expanding girls’ football is reflected in our own dedicated strategy for growing female participation. We share the FA’s ambition for equal opportunities and are excited to see the focus on advancing girls’ football at all levels. Through our girls’ programme, we’re working towards providing a safe, inclusive, and competitive environment for all players, ensuring we meet the unique needs of our female participants.

For an in-depth look at the FA’s strategy for women’s and girls’ football, you can access the full document here.

As we move forward, these FA strategies will serve as guiding principles for our own growth and development plans. We’re proud to be part of a national movement dedicated to creating positive change through football and look forward to achieving these ambitions together as a club.

Warm regards,
AFC Corsham Committee