It’s that time of year again as grassroots football coaches work to recruit youth football players for their sides ahead of the new season.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the summer is when grassroots coaches can sit back and relax after a long season, taking in the odd tournament. Absolutely not. This is the time of the year that has coaches sweating more than any other, and it has nothing to do with the soaring temperatures.
With teams moving up the age groups, some into larger format games, there is a need to add players to the squad. That is even before considering players who may choose to move on. While some coaches may worry about bringing together a competitive side, many others are concerned about being about to recruit a side altogether.
For example, an Under-12 side will be moving up to 11-a-side games from nine-a-side. While a squad of 13 would allow for four substitutes (assuming everyone was available), the same size squad allows for only two the next season…and then if two or three leave, that then puts a question mark over whether the team might end up folding.
Word of Mouth
If you are one of the many grassroots coaches concerned about squad numbers for next season, then don’t panic. At least not yet anyway. Before anything else, ask your players/parents if they know someone who might be keen – ask them to bring a friend along to training.
Experienced grassroots football coaches know that the playground is where the best deals take place. If you are a coach, the likelihood is that your son or daughter plays in your team – ask them who they might know.
Just through this alone, you may well find that your first training session back is overcrowded with young, keen footballers hoping to impress enough for a place on the team.
Social Media to Recruit Youth Football Players
Whether you are a fan of social media or not, its power and ability to connect people cannot and should not be ignored, especially by grassroots coaches looking for free and effective recruitment.
On Facebook, for example, you will find various groups tailored for local grassroots football designed to connect players/parents with football managers looking to recruit youth football players. Here, coaches/clubs can post adverts looking for players for their team, sharing details within a targeted online community.
Players/parents also place posts seeking teams. You will have to be quick, though, as you won’t be the only coach in your age group recruiting – make sure you respond quickly and be prompt with your responses.
Facebook, because of its closed community offerings, is the king of social media for grassroots football coaches in terms of recruitment. Twitter/X and Instagram can also be utilised, but this is best done with adverts posted through club accounts (unless your profile has a large following itself).
Advertise Through League/Local FA
Local football leagues and FAs have an interest in making sure they have plenty of teams competing next season. No teams mean no competitions.
You can ask your local league or FA to post on your behalf, spreading the word about your team and hopefully reaching a wider audience. For example, most local FAs have pages on their website advertising clubs looking for players, such as the opportunities page on the Lincolnshire FA’s website.
Reach Out to Other Coaches
It is well worth reaching out to other coaches of teams in your area, asking if they have any players they do not have space for. Some teams are oversubscribed (lucky!), and coaches may appreciate knowing where they can direct players/parents.
If you are the coach of a middle to lower ability side, coaches of higher division teams may be happy to pass your details on to a released player/parent. It is never easy for a coach to release a player, but when doing so, it is always best to be able to present options for the player/parent that may offer a more suitable level of football, as opposed to simply saying thanks but no thanks.
Newspapers
Old-fashioned? Yes. Effective? Absolutely! Before the days of social media and everyone having mobile phones in their back pockets, placing an advert in the local newspaper was the norm.
Though, as has been well documented, print circulation has fallen in recent years, the local newspaper will help to reach those not as tech-savvy. Older parents and grandparents may see your advert in a space not many other clubs are utilising, giving you an edge over the competition.
Of course, unlike the other forms of advertising featured in this article, this won’t be free. You will need to contact your local newspaper to determine the associated costs. Alternatively, you could arrange for your players to help in the community and submit a story to the paper showcasing the good work done by your team/club to help increase your profile in the area.
The summer can make for an anxious time for grassroots coaches, who want to ensure their players have a team for the forthcoming season. Hopefully, our youth football recruiting suggestions will help you on your way to recruiting for your team and, perhaps, on your way to winning football trophies and medals come the end of the season!
