#Elevenv11 Adult Football

Introduction

It is no secret that the adult male 11v11 game is facing challenges ultimately resulting in a loss of teams. This is not only an issue in Berks & Bucks but across the game nationally

Berks & Bucks FA are taking a whole organisational approach to arresting the decline and to reducing the barriers associated with the adult male game.

Berks & Bucks FA have produced a plan with responsibilities split across all departments. This document will outline the aspirations for the next 12 months.

The Story so far....

Berks & Bucks FA is home to 740 teams, decreasing from 875 over a 5 year period.
2 Berks & Bucks FA sanctioned leagues have embraced U21s provision to date (accounting for 11 teams)
Berks & Bucks FA have a strong base of U18 leagues across a number of leagues (a total of 142 teams)
Berks & Bucks FA run 10 Mars Just Play sessions across the County, acting as a "safety net" for players coming in and dropping out of the game.

Promotion & Communication

Promotion and communication is vital in any campaign and with dedicated marketing resource available we aim to raise the profile of the 11v11 adult game and communicate the issues facing the game.

Berks & Bucks FA will:

Raise the profile of game being played across the County with direct links from our website to league tables and feature news items from key games across the County.
Work closely with sanctioned leagues to find bespoke solutions for local issues identified.
Link our new "panic button" to league websites for clubs needing help from the Berks & Bucks FA. Giving us an early warning system for clubs that are in danger of folding.
Hold a league forum for adult competitions to work collectively to support the beautiful game.
Engage with our 3500 + followers on our social media platforms to support the recruitment and retention of players and volunteers at our local grassroots clubs. The harsh tag #Elevenv11 will be used across our promotional material.

Support for new clubs.

All too often new clubs start with the best intentions, only to fold within the first season. At Berks & Bucks FA we feel that it is our duty to prepare new teams for the season ahead.

Berks & Bucks FA will:

Review our affiliation criteria to ensure any new clubs are sustainable.
Develop a starter package for new clubs to understand the commitment needed from volunteers and the associated costs.
Work with local league to ensure that we support new clubs being accepted in to local competitions.
Encourage youth teams to "adopt" a new adult 11v11 team encouraging sustainability and exit routes for existing players in the game.
Provide access to training for club secretaries, treasurers and administration positions.

Technology & Funding

At Berks & Bucks FA we pride ourselves on being innovative and "trying" new things. Technology and funding are one area where we can support clubs.

Berks & Bucks FA will:

Develop a technology tool to support the recruitment of players/volunteers & reduce the burden placed on volunteers.
Invest £4000 in to a 11v11 Goal post fund to open in May 2016
Invest £13.5k to support the growth of new sustainable teams
Support suitable applications to the Football Foundation Grow the Game funding scheme to develop new sustainable teams across the County.

Discipline

Berks & Bucks FA regularly hear about clubs that fold due to discipline issues. This is often either players not paying their fines and the burden being placed on a single volunteer or players walking away from the team due to the behaviour they are faced with.

Berks & Bucks FA will:

Reward teams with a exemplary discipline record.
Name and shame repeat offenders
Review the affiliation criteria of clubs with a poor discipline record.
Encourage clubs to attend a workshop at the beginning of the season to understand the behaviour expected.

Rescue package for existing teams

Berks & Bucks FA unfortunately all too often find out too late when a team is struggling and we hear that a club has folded without the opportunity to assist.

Berks & Bucks FA will:

Develop a "panic button" icon for use on league websites giving clubs direct access to Berks & Bucks FA
Develop a "matching" tool to support the recruitment and retention of players and volunteers.
Tailored payment plans for clubs to help manage finances
Provide local 1-2-1 support for clubs

Menu of opportunities

Berks & Bucks FA are keen to support leagues and clubs to develop new initiatives aimed at addressing the ever changing needs of the game.

Parachute leagues - a small league to "catch" players that have come out of teams that have folded.
Mid-week leagues -11v11 leagues on 3G surfaces for players that can not commit to a weekend.
Corporate leagues - leagues aimed at businesses, a safe introduction back in to the game.
Flexible format leagues - Leagues based on shorter length games to support players back in to the game.
Seasonal leagues - short leagues based on demand running over a shorter period of time.

Feedback

Berks & Bucks FA have put this plan together as a working document and would welcome any feedback in relation to our approach to supporting 11v11. If you have any other ideas of how we can approach this, we would urge you to get in touch.

Info@Berks-BucksFA.com