Latest News

FA Leadership Academy 26 – Participant Applications Open!

2026-04-13T08:50:00Z

We are excited to share that the FA Leadership Academy (FALA), which is funded by the Premier League, is returning in July 2026. FALA26 is a 12-month learning and development programme for 16–24-year-olds, co-designed and co-delivered by the FA...(read more)

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone: My FALA Journey

2026-04-08T12:38:00Z

It all started with an application. I first heard about the Football Association Leadership Academy (FALA) while taking part in the Rising Leaders programme, supported by The Football Association (The FA) and delivered by the Association of Colleges ...(read more)

FA Leadership Academy 26 - Mentor Applications Open

2026-04-08T08:16:00Z

The FA National Youth Council (FANYC) are excited to announce that we are recruiting Mentors for the FA Leadership Academy 2026 (FALA26).The FA Leadership Academy is a 12-month learning and development programme for Youth Leaders in football aged 16 ...(read more)

The FA launches first female health hub to transform access to advice and support in grassroots football

2026-04-03T09:30:00Z

The Football Association (The FA) has today launched its first-ever Female Health Hub – a ground-breaking online platform designed to transform the support available to women and girls across the grassroots game, by providing them with trusted ...(read more)

International Day of Trans Visibility: Reflecting on Allyship

2026-03-31T10:13:00Z

International Transgender Day of Visibility takes place on Tuesday 31st March and is a chance to celebrate the transgender community and recognise the impact transgender people have across our communities, including in football. For me, it’s al...(read more)

A full circle moment: from participant to delivery team on the Rising Leaders Programme

2026-03-25T11:07:00Z

Being a member of the delivery team for the Rising Leaders programme this year was a real full circle moment for me. Just two years ago, in 2023 I was sitting in the same space, as a participant learning growing and taking the steps into my future. R...(read more)

Growing beyond the comfort zone - Rising Leaders Residential Experience

2026-03-20T11:47:00Z

Going into the first Rising Leaders residential, I was really excited. One of the things I was most looking forward to was getting out of London and meeting new people who share my passion for football and leadership. I had only met one person on the...(read more)

Improving Football for Muslim Girls training and toolkit resources

2026-03-19T10:35:32Z

Only 40% of Muslim girls in mainstream schools feel comfortable taking part in physical activity. Fewer than 25% join clubs outside school. We want every girl to believe they belong in football and are Made for this Game. Launched in partnership with...(read more)

Working with Neurodiversity in football

2026-03-18T11:15:00Z

Coaching football has taught me many things - tactics, patience, leadership - but one of the most powerful lessons has been neurodiversity. When I first started coaching, I thought success was about drills, discipline, and match-day decisions. Now I ...(read more)

LIGHT UP A VOLUNTEER’S DAY - NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

2026-03-13T09:20:00Z

Say thanks by nominating a volunteer for a Grassroots Football Award presented by Howdens Every player knows games only happen thanks to volunteers’ dedication, time and energy. Think how much coaches, grounds teams, match officials - and other...(read more)

The growth & the lesson – my FALA Project

2026-03-11T13:38:00Z

This blog has been written by FA Leadership Academy 2025 participant Cally, The Football Association Leadership Academy (FALA) has taught me a lot, allowed me to make friends in new places and made me look at myself in a different light. I am delive...(read more)

‘Give to Gain’: the message of International Women’s Day 2026

2026-03-08T10:55:00Z

That is a question I reflected on during our third (FANYC) meeting of the season. it was one of the most personally impactful experiences for me so far. International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March and recognises the socia...(read more)

How do you grow as a young leader when you feel inexperienced? Reflections from our third FA National Youth Council meeting

2026-03-04T10:33:00Z

That is a question I reflected on during our third (FANYC) meeting of the season. it was one of the most personally impactful experiences for me so far. One of the key moments was presenting my professional journey in football. I shared how my path b...(read more)

Life at London City Lionesses and my journey here

2026-02-25T10:08:00Z

I’m Ella, and I’m the Community and Fan Engagement Manager at London City Lionesses. It’s an exciting and rewarding role that allows me to work with a wide range of people across the club and throughout our local community. No two d...(read more)

Youth Leadership Network

2026-02-20T11:42:44Z

What is the YLN? The FA Youth Leadership Network (YLN) is a network for Youth Leaders aged 16-24 (as of 1st August 2025) across England to connect and collaborate with fellow Youth Leaders interested in progressing through voluntary roles in footbal...(read more)