English Schools' Football Association

Each County Schools’ FA was invited to a specially convened information sharing meeting at Rayners Lane FC on Saturday 06 November. Feedback from the meeting seemed to be very positive but those attending have the opportunity to come back to ESFA Council with any observations comments, which will be published in the December e-zine.

The Chairman opened the meeting by stating that the topics on the Agenda were specific and that other items would need to be fed back to Council for discussion in January.

The Chief Executive opened with a discussion on the status of County Schools’ FAs which had grown in prominence since the 1990s when District football was far and away the priority of the English Schools’ FA. The causes for this shift are many but involve the changes to both football and education structures. The introduction of the National Game Board to serve grassroots football also had a fundamental part to play in the recent changes, none more so that the allocation of grants by the FA through ESFA and the County Schools’ FAs. The Chairman of Trustees and the Chief Executive both assured County members that the administration of the grants was ever evolving and that attempts were being made at the FA to simplify the method of requesting the grants. The subject of finance was briefly discussed in the light of the very recent changes to the School Sports Partnerships.

Mr Barry Shackley, the Independent Chairman of the ‘Fit for Purpose’ Working Group then gave members an update on the progress of the group. Two group meetings had been completed and a number of regional sessions and one-on ones had set the tone for a preliminary report at their next meeting in December. A full report is hoped to be completed in time for the Council meeting in March.

After lunch Neil Pont, Chair of the Competitions Committee and Mike Spinks, National Competition Manager, lead a discussion on the format of the Inter County Competitions. Arguments were put forward in favour of the present structure where the Inter County Under 16 and Under 18 competitions were organized in Stafford as standalone competitions allowing Regions to continue playing matches throughout the season. Counter arguments were given in favour of the old way which was for Regional Cup holders and runners up to represent their regions in the national rounds. A healthy debate was concluded by a show of hands, but as this resulted in a 50/50 position we were no further forward. The Competition Department will be asking those counties not represented to give their feelings on which way the competitions should be organized.

Before the meeting closed and the final discussion session Mr Nigel Brown, ably assisted by Mr Dave Woollaston, lead a discussion on International selection. Two main points came out of this session:

1. ESFA must continue to have a ‘show piece’ to represent us overseas and in the United Kingdom, but we must all be mindful of the costs involved.

2. That selection through loyalty to the County FA representative side should remain the main criteria for selection.

The Chairman led the last discussion period which included lively debate on the subject of discipline in Schools’ Football. How it is, or should be, managed and how to gain a level playing field with Youth football.