Here at Cheshire FA we deliver projects throughout the County, and 2018 is no different.

We have some exciting projects coming up in the next year, here’s a few to look forward to.

Women & Girls Football

• Wildcats – After a successful pilot in 2017 the FA has launched the Wildcats programme for 2018.  Clubs that have been successful with their application will be supported by funding, training and equipment from the FA to deliver fun sessions in their community to girls aged 5-11 years of age. 

• Women’s Beginners Football – Following on from the success of the festivals run in 2017 a new merit league will be launched in the New Year which will see a monthly fixture programme.

• Increasing Female Coaches – Two FA Level One courses aimed at encouraging more females to get into coaching are scheduled to place in February (Ellesmere Port) and June (Knutsford).

• MBNA Girls Primary Schools Programme Chester – Cheshire FA will be launching a new initiative to get girls active in primary schools in Chester & Ellesmere Port through girls’ football festivals and equipment packages. Girls will be encouraged to continue their football outside of school by attending Wildcats centres or joining their local Charter Standard club.

Interested in any of the Women & Girls opportunities? Contact our Women & Girls Football Development Officer at FemaleFootball@CheshireFA.com

Inclusion & Disability

• Buzz Youth Group – We will be supporting Buzz Youth Group to launch two new youth disability football sessions, in Chester and Northwich. These fun turn up and play sessions will be for young people with a range of physical and learning disabilities.

• Cheshire Academy – We will be working closely with Cheshire Academy, in Crewe, to create a turn up and play session for adult females with a range impairments and disabilities. We will be looking to develop this group into a team to compete against other teams around the County of similar ability.

• MBNA Education Bursary - In January we will be looking to support people from BAME backgrounds or people with an impairment or disability, who are interested in coaching or refereeing. We will have funding available, from MBNA, to help support individuals through their qualifications – watch this space!

Interested in any of these opportunities? Contact our Football Development Officer at DisabilityFootball@CheshireFA.com

Adult Football

• Woodchurch Elevens – Launching in Jan 2018 the Chester & Wirral League with Cheshire FA will start a New Friday Night Football division at Woodchurch Sports Complex on the Wirral. Interest has already been high and we have 4 new 11-a-side teams confirmed. If you are interested in entering a team click here for more information.

• New Elevens Leagues - We are always looking to grow the 11-a-side game in Cheshire and with our 30 new teams playing midweek football in Chester, Ellesmere Port and on the Wirral we are looking to expand Elevens across our county. Would you like to help us set up a new league? If so get in touch!

• Retention Toolbox - In 2018 Cheshire FA will look to launch a Retention Toolbox this will aim to support Single Team Adult Clubs with help, guidance and resources to help their club to keep playing in the 18/19 season and beyond. We will look at offering free affiliation to clubs who wish to be a part of developing their club to provide football for many seasons to come.

• Just Play Centres - Next season the FA MARS JUST PLAY centres will look to relaunch and Cheshire FA will be looking for new partners to come on board to deliver turn up and play sessions to support the recreational football player who can’t commit or doesn’t want to play in one of our clubs and leagues. Are you a club, facility, community organisation or volunteer who would be interested in providing football for all in your community? If so watch this space!

Interested in any of the Adult Football opportunities? Contact our Football Development Officer at AdultFootball@CheshireFA.com

Refereeing

• 2018 Referee Awards – These will be held at the end of the 2017-18 season to celebrate refereeing across Cheshire.

• Referee Academy – A development facility for aspiring referees.

• Young Referee Development Day - Guidance, support and outdoor workshops for referees aged 14-16 to aid with their development.

For more information contact our Referee Development Officer at Ed.Duckworth@CheshireFA.com  

Coaching

• The brand new Goalkeeping Level 1 & Level 2 will launch in 2018, with course dates soon to be announced.

• The new UEFA B Licence course will reach its completion in July 2018, and we will then have more highly qualified coaches within Grassroots football across Cheshire.

Interested in further your coaching development? Contact our Coach Education department at CoachEducation@CheshireFA.com

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• League Development Day - 28 leagues will be invited to Cheshire FA Headquarter for the 3rd annual league development day. The event will consist of engaging workshops regarding key topics across league development, an opportunity to network with other league volunteers and time to discuss specific league matters with Cheshire FA Staff. The event is part of the support package we provide to all affiliated leagues to help raise standards and continue to grow participation in the game. 

• Player Registration - Following the success of online player registration last season with 400 leagues signing up nationally, 15 in Cheshire, we will be visiting Cheshire FA affiliated leagues in the coming months to continue the growth of the programme. Alongside this we will be continuing our ongoing support to clubs and leagues already using the system with bespoke workshops to those who request them.

Contact a member of the team for more information on PlayerRegistration@CheshireFA.com