Introduction About Grassroots Football
In implementing its mission statement, one of the three approaches adopted by FIFA is to “Develop the game”. This is manifested in the main objective of FIFA’s grassroots football programme: to allow football to be discovered by as many people as possible. The best way of attracting new players to the sport is to give them access to football in their own environment whatever their age, gender, physical condition, skin colour, religion or ethnic origin.
Grassroots football is football for all
FIFA’s grassroots football programme targets boys and girls aged 6-12 years through school, community and club initiatives.
The key concept of the programme is to bring together as many people as possible through football.
The grassroots programme advocates exchanges and sharing human values and, of course, promotes the pleasure of practising our marvellous sport.
For some people, grassroots football is a focus for recreational activities, while for others it is the organised practice of the sport, with training and matches, within a school or club framework.
Of course not all young players will become the stars of the future and they do not all have the skills required to become professional players. So intensive training sessions and complicated tactics are not appropriate.
FIFA’s grassroots football programme targets boys and girls aged 6-12 years through school, community and club initiatives.
The key concept of the programme is to bring together as many people as possible through football.
The grassroots programme advocates exchanges and sharing human values and, of course, promotes the pleasure of practising our marvellous sport.
For some people, grassroots football is a focus for recreational activities, while for others it is the organised practice of the sport, with training and matches, within a school or club framework.
Of course not all young players will become the stars of the future and they do not all have the skills required to become professional players. So intensive training sessions and complicated tactics are not appropriate.
Play is the best means of learning. Above all, youngsters should have fun
The essential elements of grassroots football are relationships, team spirit and fun. The concept of learning through play while being guided by a coach-educator is a specific approach designed to reach out to the young and create a process to connect to the future. The coach-educator must be dynamic, uncomplicated, passionate and motivational and must always respect the children’s physical, physiological and psychological characteristics.
Children are not just miniature adults
Football is the main recreational activity of countless numbers of children around the world. It is an exceptional tool for social integration and an excellent means of expression. The FIFA Grassroots Programme offers everyone the chance to play football, without discrimination and without the need for major infrastructure. FIFA’s programme can complement the initiatives of confederations and member associations that already have established grassroots programmes. FIFA’s Grassroots Programme has been drawn up in close cooperation with member associations and involves all the stakeholders in education (governments, NGOs (nongovernmental organisations), communities, schools, etc.).
Grassroots football is football for everyone, by everyone, everywhere.
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