The FA challenges the nation’s workforce to Get Into Football.

Tue 21st Sep 2010 | Football Governance

The Football Association is telling the nation’s workforce that ‘Football Needs You’ as part of a new campaign to inspire mechanics, teachers, accountants, DJs and everyone who loves football to take their first steps to becoming a grassroots coach or referee. The ambitious target for the inspirational new Football Needs’ campaign is to encourage 50,000 new Level 1 coaches by 2011 and 8,000 new referees by 2012.

Pulling on their tracksuits today in support of the recruitment drive are former England and Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux and Sky Sports presenter Ben Shephard, who have both pledged their backing to help The FA reach its targets. Lining up alongside the real life stars of the ‘Football Needs’ campaign, Shephard and Le Saux were put through their paces by The FA’s top coaching staff at Burton’s Court to set them on their way to a rewarding career in coaching.

The ‘Football Needs’ nationwide advertising campaign features Jaz Dhami, a Punjabi singer, headteacher Manisha Tailor and air steward David Green, all of whom retain their passion for coaching and refereeing while juggling their busy professional careers.

Singer Jaz commented: “After spending time away from football to pursue my music career, I returned to England and wanted to give something back to my local community. By getting into coaching, I’m sharing my passion for the game and providing young Asians with a pathway into football.”

In a bid to get people to stay in the game, England Coach and Under-21s Manager Stuart Pearce has also joined the grassroots heroes in his own unique advert and cameo role in The FA’s new ‘Football Needs’ short film.

The film takes a light-hearted look at the unassuming characters at the forefront of the grassroots coaching scene who appear in a ‘Never Mind the Buzzocks’ style spoof. As well as being available from 1 October online in a first for The Football Association, the film will also be aired in 220 cinemas across the country throughout October reaching an estimated audience of one million viewers.
 
Pearce added: “The really rewarding thing about being a coach is watching that improvement in players, coaching them during the week and seeing them put the skills they have learnt into practise during a game on any given Saturday. I would encourage anyone with a passion for football to discover how rewarding coaching can be.”

Supporting The FA’s ‘Football Needs’ campaign, Premier League and 2010 FA Cup Final referee Chris Foy is also excited by the unveiling of The FA’s first ever advertising creative focused on encouraging those who enjoy the game to get into refereeing.

“Having joined the police force at 21, refereeing provided me with a great opportunity to stay in the game that I love while at the same time pursuing my professional career," he said. "It doesn’t matter if you’re refereeing at Old Trafford, Anfield or Stamford Bridge the same fundamentals and enjoyment of refereeing apply whatever the level.”

Julian Eccles, Group Director of Marketing and Communications, The Football Association, added: “This campaign is the first of a series The FA will be running during the season. Using a variety of techniques - from cinema and print to online - we want to reach new audiences to encourage them to get into football.” 

The FA’s ‘Football Needs’ campaign forms part of the National Game strategy, a £200m pound investment in grassroots football. The Get Into Coaching objectives are supported by McDonalds and the Get Into Refereeing campaign runs in association with Carlsberg.

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