Did You Know That...
Heading in Youth Football
The FA have just announced their new guidance on "Heading in Youth Football", it is important that all youth coaches are fully aware of how this will impact their training sessions. Heading is not banned in match play, this guidance is designed to prevent the impact of repetitive heading in training.
FEMALE FRIENDLY CLUB WORKSHOP
Do you want to make your club more female friendly? We are holding the FA delivered Female Friendly Workshop to show our support for International Womens Day on Monday 9th March from 6:45pm at Rectory Park.
The workshop will provide practical advice for clubs looking to develop an environment that encourages women and girls to get involved in football both on and off the pitch
Safeguarding in open aged football
All clubs and leagues with a child under the age of 18 playing in ‘OPEN AGE’ teams ( 16yrs +) are encouraged to start thinking about the following as good practice:
- Coaches have DBS and safeguarding training and are named coaches on the WGS
- Club have safeguarding policies and procedures and a Club Welfare Officer
- Players know how to report a concern and who to
- Guidance shared to all U18’s in OPEN AGE teams – ‘Know your rights’
Any general safeguarding queries please direct to Sharon Porter – Designated Safeguarding Officer and DBS queries to Matthew Murgett – Investigations and Complaints Officer.
FUNDING
Grow the Game
Delivered by the Football Foundation and funded by The FA, Grow the Game provides clubs with funding the creation of new female and disability teams. The application window will be open from 26th February to 31st May for grants of £1,500, applications will be assessed on a first come first serve basis. Register your interest with your Football Development Officer.
Becoming Charter Standard Grant
Middlesex FA has launched a grant to help clubs (Youth and Adult) become Charter Standard. With funds of up to £400 available, the grant will run until 31st March or until all funding has been distributed.
Charter Standard Club of the Month
Nominate your club for Charter Standard Club of the Month, not only is it a chance to get your club recognised for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, or maybe even some excellent work in the community. But it also gives you a chance to receive £300 of funding!
Sport England Storm Damage Funding
Has your club been effected by Storms Ciara and Dennis? In an attempt to rectify the damage as soon as possible, local authorities and community sports organisations are being invited to apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to pay for emergency repairs.
For general facility sustainability guidance support Click here
Level 2 Bursaries
If you’re a female coach then Middlesex FA could fund as much as 75% of the next step in your coaching journey. The bursary is open to any female coach who meets the FA Level 2 course prerequisites and is actively coaching in grassroots football within Middlesex.
UEFA B
Looking to take the next step on your coaching journey? We are pleased to announce that the application window for our next FA Level 3 (UEFA B) In Coaching Football is now OPEN! Applications close on 28th February to join our next cohort of UEFA B coaches.
ADOPT A CLUB
Does your club offer football for only Youth or Adults football, but you want to help your players with the lifelong playing pathway? Then our new initiative is for you!
We are looking for clubs that want to bridge the gap – Youth clubs looking to be feeder clubs for Adult clubs, and Adult clubs looking to take on those players wanting to make the step up into the open aged game. If you are interested please contact your Football Development Officer to find out more.
PITCH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
Are you maintaining grass pitches at your club? Looking to improve them? As part of the grass Pitch Improvement Programme, Middlesex FA is offering visits to your sites by expert Regional Pitch Advisors which is vital to support any potential funding applications and much more. All support comes at highly discounted prices. Please submit your expression of interest form to katie.phillipson@middlesexfa.com
VACANCIES
We have two vacancies in our finance department, apply today!
Finance Assistant
Management Accountant
Club Referee Support
Middlesex FA are providing Charter Standard clubs with the opportunity to become a hub for referee development – providing trainee referees with a safe and enjoyable environment to complete the 5 matches needed to complete their course. Clubs can use these officials for these matches on an interim basis, with the view to keeping them on your panel of officials going forward, helping with the ongoing struggle of appointing qualified referees to all fixtures.
Advantages of this are:
- Providing a safe and enjoyable environment for Trainee Referees
- Improving the retention rate of referees
- Improving matchday experience
- Increasing the pool of referees for clubs
- Opportunity to gain exposure from Middlesex FA for leading on this new initiative
If you wish to get involved in this initiative, please contact Daniel May – Workforce Development Officer
