The importance of grassroots football and its continued growth

Grassroots football has often been described as the backbone of the football industry, particularly in the UK.

No matter what level a player makes in their career, one common denominator is the origin and foundation of a talent within grassroots football.

Even children who play and do not make it into the professional game can learn much from months and years in grassroots, from resilience, mental wellbeing and the importance of community.

This is on top of the industry’s priority of promoting healthier lifestyles and greater physical health into future generations.

Across the nation, County Football Associations, along with The FA itself, invests greatly into grassroots football to promote the positive impacts it can have on many lives year after year.

Programmes are in place throughout the UK to provide both professional and personal development to people of all ages through grassroots football, as well as opportunities and education.

As the nationwide programme is accessible to all, no matter of age, sex, race, ability or any other factor, it has been shown that grassroots football is a catalyst in the FA’s aim to reduce discrimination of any form both inside and outside of football.

In itself, this helps bring communities together for the wellbeing of all, using football as a cause for good.

With such a great importance on grassroots football, with much of the colossal football industry relying on it, an immense workforce is needed for the initiative to thrive.

Investing in this, The FA partnered with the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) to create a Certificate of Higher Education in Football Development.

The year-long course provides an opportunity for existing and aspiring football industry professionals to develop critical understanding and application of the various constituent components of football development at grassroots and elite levels in a variety of industry contexts.

With the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to develop the industry at any level from grassroots to elite, the course connects those who want to improve the current state of the industry for future years and generations, while scoring their own career goals.

Click here to find out more about UCFB’s Certificate of Higher Education in Football Development in collaboration with The FA.

UCFB also offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses tailored to the sports industry, ranging from focuses in sports media to sports business and even sports coaching.

Click here to learn more about the degree courses available at UCFB’s two UK-based campuses, in Manchester and at Wembley Stadium.

You can also click here to view a UCFB prospectus to kick off your own career in the football and wider sports industry.