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We all have Similarities - The FA Leadership Academy 26

2026-08-06T16:51:27Z

Growing up I lived just a ten minute walk from Wembley Stadium, the home of English football, and of course The FA. So I guess it’s a bit ironic that twenty-three years later I found myself sitting at The FA’s Leadership Academy. The rea...(read more)

Applications Now Open: Rising Leaders Programme for Young Women (Ages 16–19)

2026-08-06T06:41:02Z

Rising Leaders is an England Football leadership and personal development programme for ethnically diverse young women aged 16–19. For the 2026/27 programme, we are inviting young women who are passionate about coaching in football and developi...(read more)

Unlocking tomorrow: the power of youth voice

2026-07-08T11:45:00Z

The most recent FA Youth Leadership Network meeting gave us the opportunity to discuss the importance of youth voice. We had a chance to network and get to know everyone better and learn about each other&r...(read more)

Norfolk FA Superhero League

2026-07-01T11:38:00Z

The League Good Practice Guide brings together real examples from across grassroots football, showcasing how youth leagues are creating positive, inclusive and well-run environments for players, coaches and volunteers. From strengthening governance a...(read more)

From Doubt to Confidence: My Rising Leaders Journey

2026-06-24T08:54:00Z

When I first joined the Rising Leaders programme, I wasn’t sure if I belonged. I have always loved sport, but I didn’t have the same football background or high-level experience that many of the other young people seemed to have. Walking ...(read more)

My FALA23 Project: Female and Non-Binary 6-aside Football League

2026-06-17T10:59:00Z

When I first began my leadership journey during FALA23, I spent a significant amount of time reflecting on my experiences within my local football community since moving to the UK in 2019. Football has consistently been a safe space for me throughout...(read more)

The Greater Game and Me

2026-06-10T10:02:00Z

As a part of the regional youth network, on the 6th May 2026, we had a meeting with Dom Edwards, who is the National development manager of Solutions and Innovations at the FA. During our meeting we discussed the Greater Game initiative which the FA ...(read more)

National football kit giveaway for new and emerging grassroots football teams 2026/27

2026-06-08T23:01:39Z

Wembley Stadium Foundation are delighted to announce that their national football kit giveaway is returning for the 2026/27 season -delivered in partnership with Teamgrassr oots. This ...(read more)

Apply now for The FA National Youth Council 2026/27 team

2026-06-07T07:35:12Z

The FA National Youth Council (FANYC) are delighted to announce that we are now recruiting for the 2026-27 FANYC Team. The applications for the team are open from the 25th May 2026 and close on Monday 13th July at 12:00 (midday). As a part of the ap...(read more)

The Cornwall School Games

2026-06-03T11:08:11Z

Recently, I had the opportunity to lead the Cornwall FA Youth Leadership Academy at the Cornwall School Games football event at Camborne Science and International Academy as the project lead for our Cornwall School Games project group. I worked along...(read more)

FA Youth Leadership Team Award and Joel Richards Inspire Award Nominations

2026-05-30T10:03:02Z

We are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for two FA National Youth Council Leadership Awards, which will be presented at the FALA26 Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday 28th July 2026. FALA26 Youth Leadership Team Award The FA National Yout...(read more)

The First Youth Leadership Network Meeting

2026-05-27T09:19:00Z

If there is one key lesson from the first meeting of the Youth Leadership Network, it is the way that proactive player inclusivity and welfare can foster resilience. Joining the meeting, I was keen to find out about how a resilient personal ethos cou...(read more)

How I found my space in the FA Youth Leadership Ecosystem?

2026-05-20T10:52:00Z

Looking back, I think it came down to three things: being special, being individualistic, and being different. At the time though, it didn’t feel like that at all, it just felt like luck. FA Leadership Academy 2024 was the first time I had prop...(read more)

How our leadership academy is empowering the next generation of confident female leaders

2026-05-13T10:20:00Z

How do we empower young girls to become strong, confident leaders both on and off the pitch? That was the question behind our Leadership Academy at Asfordby Amateurs Ladies, Girls & Inclusive FC (AALGIFC). We wanted to create more than just a foo...(read more)

Deaf Awareness Week and my journey in football/futsal

2026-05-08T09:18:00Z

This blog has been written by Maisie O'Shea Deaf Awareness Week runs from 4th May to 10th May. It’s a time to recognise the experiences of deaf people and those with hearing loss. It also lets me reflect on my journey and how sport has...(read more)