It is one of the hardest and, often, most thankless tasks around. You sacrifice time away from loved ones in the pursuit of doing the best for everyone else, plan and arrange sessions, arrive early and leave late. You will beat yourself up over every little mistake, your car boot will always be full of […]
As a passionate fan following AFC Wimbledon, Kirk Pritchard – who is on the autism spectrum – knows too well of the challenges that other fans with autism face as part of the matchday experience. He hopes that AFC Autism can have a positive impact on making football more accessible to neurodiverse fans. Kirk founded […]
You might think that marketing is something that only businesses and professional sports clubs do, but you would be wrong. A lot of the success of a grassroots club is based on how well it is marketed. Marketing your grassroots club correctly is important, and it requires more thought than posting something on your personal […]
This weekend marks the return of grassroots football, with junior and youth football teams kicking off their seasons up and down the country. Each season sees a new wave of boys and girls playing in their first organised football match and 2022/23 will be no different, with excitable Under-7s teams eager to wear their brand […]
A good coach has a clear objective and plan in place before every training session, understanding what it is they want their players to come away with. Whatever sport it is that you coach, it is important that your training sessions are planned. That means understanding the abilities of your players, where they are in […]
The nation watched on as 56 years without a senior international trophy came to an end as England were crowned Women’s European Champions…now the FA and clubs have a collective responsibility to not let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly scored the winner from close range in the second […]
Often, grassroots coaches take a team that their son/daughter plays for, but many coaches are apprehensive to reward their children through fear of accusations of favouritism. Typically, it is the reason why they volunteered in the first place – to ensure that their child has a team to play for. With no one else raising […]
The country is set to see record temperatures this week with forecasts over 40°C in some parts, which means that clubs and coaches must consider cancelling scheduled training and matches. The government has issued a first-ever red heat warning for Monday and Tuesday (18 and 19 July), meaning that the weather poses a risk to […]
Grassroots coaches have what can feel like an impossible and thankless job at times – dedicating hours of unpaid work and sacrificing time away from friends and family. Local clubs across the country rely on willing volunteers to step up to give their time. Initially advertised as a couple of hours a week, seasoned coaches […]
Former Stafford Rangers defender Lewis Banks told Fen Regis Trophies that he is excited ahead of Sligo Rovers’ UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier against Wales’ Bala Town. Banks, 25, made the unlikely move from non-league Stafford Rangers to League of Ireland Premier Division Sligo Rovers in 2019. It was a move that saw the former […]
