The enthusiasm of the locals, the colourful flags and faces of the fans, the unforgettable imprint of the now legendary vuvuzela - South Africa leaves us with some wonderful memories of a truly inspiring FIFA World Cup™.
Unfortunately, our nation’s hopes were not realised this time. The sense of disappointment and frustration felt was tangible, and there is a collective desire to build for success in the future. Encouragingly, some great work is already going on at grassroots level to develop the players of tomorrow; and you can play a part.
If you were inspired by the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa, and the England Football Day festivals that preceded it, there is no better time to get involved in football. Leagues and clubs are already beginning to prepare for the new season, and are actively looking for new players and volunteers.
Alternatively, you may have been motivated to get involved in coaching. Sir Trevor Brooking is the driving force behind The FA’s coaching vision, and passionately advocates the need for more coaches and coaching children in the right way, ‘I am acutely aware that there are no quick fixes and no easy answers but I am convinced that, put simply, the key to securing this future is that we must have more and better coaches with access to more kids at an earlier age.’ If you are already a level one coach, you may wish to progress to taking the FA’s new age appropriate course The FA Youth Award. This groundbreaking new course has been designed to help coaches understand young players.
Alternatively, you may have been inspired by Howard Webb’s progress to the pinnacle of his profession and the officiating of the FIFA World Cup™ Final in Johannesburg. Refereeing is a tremendously rewarding way to stay in the game, and you can be involved.
Of course, you may simply want to get back playing again – this is easy, with over 100,000 teams ready to welcome you across the country, whatever your level.
So, to find out how you can get involved, and to see how the nation came together on England Football Day, click here www.TheFA.com/EnglandFootballDay