“Creating a united #EssexFootball environment that tackles inequalities, delivers inspirational football opportunities and improves health For All” is the strategic goal of the Essex County FA for the next four years and beyond, as emphasised in the brand-new #MovingForward 2028 Strategy, which was launched this morning (Monday 28th October).

A refreshed collaboration with clubs, leagues, players, parents, referees, coaches and welfare officers has been published. As the governing body for football in Essex, we have reflected on the many achievements from the previous strategy period and set a new range of ambitious targets for the development of the local game.

It includes a statistical analysis of the #MovingForward 2021-2024 Strategy and a snapshot of where Essex football had progressed to by the end of June 2024. The document also features individual strategies for Football Development, Safeguarding & Welfare, Refereeing, Football Services and Marketing & Communications, as well as an overarching purpose for 2028.

Following The FA’s ‘A Conversation With Our Game’ national consultation series, we undertook a local of consultation with grassroots stakeholders via a digital platform for clubs, leagues, players, parents, referees, coaches, welfare officers, local authorities and professional and non-traditional stakeholders. This also included two in-person events in January 2024, collectively providing 4,000+ engagements of data and feedback.

Utilising this, and The FA’s data, as well as analysis of the growth and trends from grassroots football via #MovingForward 2021-2024 Strategy performance and future growth forecasts, we were able to take a local lens to the growth and development of the grassroots game in Essex. It enabled exploration of the local priority areas for stakeholders in the game up to 2028, aligning these to the FA Grassroots Strategy Framework.

The new strategic plan through to 2028 builds on the successes, progress and strong foundations made up to 2024, aligning The FA’s key strategic priorities and drivers into a bespoke strategy, tailored to meet the needs of Essex football. It also aligns with The FA’s own, newly-launched national Grassroots Football Strategy 2024-2028.

Essex County FA Chief Executive Officer, Brendan Walshe, is proud to be able to present the strategy to the local football stakeholders who played a key part in its creation: “This is an exciting and landmark day for Essex football. Each of our strategic pillars set out key objectives, which will drive the Essex County FA forward as we support grassroots football to continue to thrive.”

“This follows a strong recovery from the lingering impact of Covid-19 challenges, followed by the cost-of-living crisis, with more than 5,500 teams affiliated at the conclusion of 2023/24 season, a growth of 29% since 2018. To continue on this upward trajectory of participation, we will continue to focus on the needs of the participant, driving decision-making through the use of informed data and insight.”

“We are also committed to supporting those who need the most help as football faces financial challenges, with the cost-of-living crisis’ impact continuing to be a concern for stakeholders in the game. Our continued financial support assists with the costs of public liability and personal accident insurance for clubs and teams.”

“The game in Essex is built on a strong foundation of the dedication and commitment of the thousands of volunteers who support the game every week through clubs, teams and leagues, as referees, as coaches, as welfare officers or as parents and spectators. This helps more than 80,000 players to play each week.”

“It provides a tremendous social value impact on the local communities they serve. Consequently, we are committed to supporting the ongoing learning and development of our volunteer workforce as the game continues to evolve in the years ahead, and we look forward to being in a privileged position to be able to deliver on the priorities which local football helped to set for us during our consultation.”

Please follow this link to read/download our #MovingForward 2028 Strategy. You can also browse the menus above to find out how to get involved in grassroots Essex football. Plus, you can find us on X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and... now... TikTok!