On the Pitch Opportunities
WORKING WITH A FOOTBALL TEAM
Working directly with a team is one of the most popular ways of getting involved in football volunteering.
There are over 3000 teams across the local area ranging from Under 7s to walking football.
All players value the role that a volunteer takes within their team, and there are several roles available here.
What roles are involved?
Most teams consist of at least two volunteers who oversee all the necessary roles. These can range from coaching, managing, first aider, parent helper, or administrator. Team volunteers are responsible for ensuring that players have a positive and safe experience of grassroots football.
What do you need for this role?
All volunteers within youth football are required to have an FA DBS in place. It is also recommended that you have the relevant coaching and safeguarding qualifications.
You will need to have good communication and organisation skills. You will need to be passionate about player development and understand the need to create the right environment for your players.
When working with players with disabilities or additional needs you may need additional skills or qualifications.
Get In Touch
Leon Dearns
Adult Football Development Officer
07704 170925
Molly Johnson
Youth Football Development Officer
07837 294310
Working with Recreational Football players
Recreational football sessions are slightly different to traditional football team sessions but offer a great opportunity for different people.
Recreational sessions for men and women are generally ‘turn up and play’. These sessions are less formal and allow adults to play football around their lifestyles with no long-term commitment. You will see a variety of different sessions such as small sided football, walking football and soccercise. Some sessions may have a specific target group of players such as men or women, age related (i.e. Over 50’s), disability focus (i.e. tackling mental health issues).
There are also recreational sessions for younger players such as Wildcats, for girls aged 5-11 years old, and Unite for girls aged 12-14 years old. These sessions provide a great introduction to football for girls who may have never played before. The sessions focus more on making friends, having fun, and developing new skills.
What role could you take?
All recreational football sessions require suitable volunteers or coaches to lead or assist the sessions and ensure the players have a great experience.
More specific roles and responsibilities could include;
• Meeting and greeting players on arrival
• Planning a semi-structured or structed football session
• Leading a coaching session
• Assisting another coach/leader
• Listening and speaking with players
• Helping to develop social skills, leadership and confidence amongst players
Each session will be different so it will be useful to speak with the session organiser to understand more about the session and its players.
What do you need for this role?
All volunteers within youth football are required to have an FA DBS in place. It is also recommended that you have the relevant coaching and safeguarding qualifications.
You will need to have good communication and organisation skills. You will need to be passionate about player development and understand the need to create the right environment for your players.
The BT Playmaker by England Football is the new, free online entry-level football course perfect for anyone interested in taking a more active role in grassroots football.
When working with players with disabilities or additional needs you may need additional skills or qualifications.
Get In Touch
Sara Harnett
Women’s Recreational Football Officer
07805 683784
Leon Dearns
Adult Football Development Officer
07704 170925
Molly Johnson
Youth Football Development Officer
07837 294310
Refereeing
Like players, football games would not be able to take place without a referee. Referees play a vital role in making sure football matches are played safely and fairly. They are responsible for ensuring the game is played in line with The FA Laws of the Game and are responsible for making key decisions on the pitch. Refereeing requires lots of skills such as communication, organisation, leadership, and patience.
With hundreds of grassroots football games taking place every week, we are always on the lookout for new referees.
What do you need for this role?
You will need to attend an FA Referee Course to become a qualified referee. The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they will need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively. It is for people aged 14 and over who want to referee mini soccer, 9 v 9 and/or 11 v 11 football.
All referees will need to complete safeguarding training and have an in-date FA DBS if officiating within youth football.
What support is available for you?
Once you have completed an FA Referee Course, we will signpost you towards appropriate refereeing opportunities. This might be with a local grassroots club, a league, or a professional academy.
Many leagues have volunteers who ‘appoint’ referees to fixtures; if you share your availability with a league, they will arrange your refereeing opportunities for you.
As a newly qualified referee you will also get the opportunity to be supported by a Referee Mentor.
Get In Touch
Aaron Bannister
Referee Development Officer
07704 170918