The whole team at Cheshire FA would like to say a massive thank you to the volunteers, players, referees and officials who attended our ‘Conversation About Our Game in Cheshire’ roadshow in early 2024, and also those who took part in our survey. 

Our roadshows followed on from the FA’s National ‘Conversation About Our Game’ events, which “was the most extensive consultation we’ve held with the grassroots game for over a decade” helping to shape the FA’s strategy for Grassroots football for 2024-2028.

Chris Barrow, Football Development Manager, outlined: “The roadshow events have provided further consultation conversations across Cheshire as we sought your feedback, thoughts and ideas about how we can improve football in your local area, as we held events at Cheshire FA, Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra for clubs, leagues and referees. The opinions are massively important in shaping the future of the game in the County. Ensuring a consistent experience no matter where you are involved in football is the ultimate aim and these conversations will most definitely assist us with that aim.”

We discussed a range of topics, from recruiting volunteers, supporting the referee workforce as well as how best to develop various player pathways and playing opportunities. Also on the table was what services and standards stakeholders would like to receive from the Cheshire FA, while participants were given the floor to share the one key thing they would like to see change in the next four years. 

The national findings and our own roadshow events have played a huge part in development of the Cheshire FA Business Strategy 2024-2028 which will be released July 2024. 

Greg McLean, Business Development Manager explained: "It was hugely important to engage with the incredibly committed volunteers and stakeholders across Cheshire to help inform our brand-new strategy and the direction of the County over the years ahead. The Roadshows proved hugely valuable and gave us a real insight into local provision along with areas for improvement. Thank you to everyone who took part, we look forward to carrying these out again in the seasons ahead."

Callum Yorke, Clubs, Leagues & Male Pathway Football Development Officer, added: “A special thank you must go to Crewe Alexandra and Tranmere Rovers for their hospitality for these events; they have proven to be hugely insightful to the whole team with the feedback we have received, and we look forward to incorporating ideas and suggestions into our work programmes moving forward.”