The FA & Michail Antonio Celebrate Grassroots Football Volunteers
Volunteers are the heart and soul of grassroots football, with 1.4 million people giving up their time every week to help support, maintain and grow the game they love.
Through a new campaign, The FA and England Football are highlighting the importance of these incredible individuals across the country with the aim of inspiring the next generation of grassroots volunteers to get involved.
Showing his support, West Ham United striker Michail Antonio – a player with a well-documented grassroots football story – has joined the campaign to celebrate the role of football volunteers.
As someone who knows the grassroots game inside out, having learned his trade at Tooting & Mitcham FC before getting his big professional break – Antonio met a selection of the 14 volunteers to learn more about the positive impact that they have on players, clubs, and communities across the nation. T
Grassroots volunteers including coaches, referees, grounds people, club secretaries and stadium announcers are crucial parts of the football pyramid and ensure safe and enjoyable environments for people to flourish.
Michail Antonio, said: “I’m speaking from experience when I say that my football journey would have been totally different were it not for the time and effort of the grassroots volunteers who supported me along the way.
“Grassroots volunteers are at the heart of the game, and football games up and down the country wouldn’t be able to take place without them.”
James Kendall, The FA’s Director of Football Development, added: “Grassroots volunteers really are the foundation of our sport, and the people in this campaign represent just a small minority of the dedicated individuals out there committing their time to the game they love.
“Whether it’s committing to an hour a week, or a whole weekend, we see and hear the value of our volunteering network every single day. The best part is that anyone can get involved and become a volunteer.”
There are volunteering opportunities for all. To find out more information on how you can get involved and become a volunteer, go to Englandfootball.com/volunteer.
Image: Neil Wood
