The FA Launches New Strategy To Grow Disability Football

The Football Association [The FA] has announced the launch of an ambitious new four-year strategy for disability football in England.

Titled Football Without Limits, the strategy sets out plans to grow disability football participation by more than a third.

This follows the announcement of The FA’s new 2024-28 strategy, ‘Inspiring Positive Change Through Football’, to take English football forward, with a clear focus on the biggest opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed.

The new Football Without Limits strategy marks an important milestone in The FA’s ongoing commitment to drive positive change in para and disability football. To realise this vision, The FA has developed a comprehensive long-term plan focused on seven key pillars:

Disability Football Participation: Expanding access and opportunities for disabled people to participate in football.

The FA Disability Cup: Maintaining The FA Disability Cup as the premier competition in impairment-specific formats.

Para Team Pathway: Supporting players in transitioning to England Para Teams with a positive experience.

England Para Teams: Developing competitive England Para Teams for international success.

Coach Development: Establishing England Football Learning as the primary resource for coaches of disabled footballers.

Marketing & Communications: Enhancing nationwide support and visibility for grassroots Disability Football.

Partnerships: Securing funding to bolster Disability Football initiatives and support England Para Teams in major tournaments.

One of the strategy’s key aims is to increase the number of players by more than a third across all Disability Football formats, reaching 28,300 registered disabled players by 2028.  

Speaking of the new strategy, Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive, said: “This new four-year strategy sets out our long-term vision and commitment to grow disability football across England. We want to ensure that everyone has the choice and inspiration to play football regardless of age, background or ability.

“Our new strategy will increase participation opportunities, provide more support for coaches, and through our talent pathways, develop England Para teams for international success.”

Catherine Gilby, Head of Para Performance at The FA, added: “Our new landmark disability football strategy presents both the opportunity and responsibility to create meaningful change in this important area of our game.

“With the next phase of the four-year Football Without Limits strategy, we can nurture and grow key elements which support the growth of disability football, while giving children, participants and elite players the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“We believe this approach will help to drive world-class performances that can inspire the next generation of aspiring Para footballers to represent England on the world stage.”

Further information our new Football Without Limits strategy for Disability Football, which is available for download in various accessible versions can be found at www.TheFA.com.