UCFB and The Football Association launch groundbreaking club leadership programme to strengthen grassroots football

University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) and The Football Association (The FA) are proud to announce the launch of a pioneering new initiative – the FA Club Leadership Programme – aimed at empowering and developing leaders at every level of grassroots football across England. The programme will support current and future leaders of community football clubs, delivering high-impact training to enhance their strategic, operational, and behavioural leadership capabilities. This initiative comes at a critical time as the game seeks to build stronger, more sustainable clubs that are embedded in and reflective of their local communities.

Developed in close partnership between UCFB and The FA, the programme draws on UCFB’s academic and industry expertise and The FA’s deep understanding of the grassroots football landscape. It is designed to benefit three core leadership groups:

• Strategic Club Leaders – those in key decision-making roles, transitioning from ‘doers’ to visionary leaders.

• Operational Club Leaders – those managing the day-to-day running of clubs, with enhanced leadership and efficiency training.

• Potential Club Leaders – emerging leaders from within clubs or the wider community, gaining insight and experience in club operations.

Flexible, Accessible Learning for Club Volunteers

Delivered through a blended learning model, participants will engage with online microlearning, live virtual workshops, in-person regional summits, and hands-on capstone projects. Each phase of the programme is carefully aligned with The FA’s frameworks and progression pathways, helping clubs retain and advance through FA Accreditation tiers while building long-term capability.

Modules include topics such as strategic planning, financial sustainability, governance, inclusive leadership, and digital innovation. On completion, participants will receive a co-branded certificate from UCFB and The FA, with optional CPD or CIMSPA accreditation.

A Shared Vision for Inclusive and Sustainable Club Leadership

“This programme reflects our shared commitment to strengthening grassroots football by investing in its most valuable asset – its people,” said Brendan Flood, Chief Executive, UCFB. “By working together, we’re creating a pipeline of confident, skilled leaders ready to guide community clubs through the next decade and beyond.”

Phil Woodward, Head of Clubs and Facilities at The FA, added: “The current and future leaders of our Thriving Community Clubs play a vital role in shaping progressive, inclusive and forward-thinking environments across grassroots football. Through our partnership with UCFB, we have a unique opportunity to empower these leaders and create clubs that will serve at the heart of their communities for generations to come.”

The FA Club Leadership Programme is set to roll out nationally in phases through to 2028, with mentoring, ongoing development, and leadership circles embedded to create a lasting culture of peer learning and support.