The Footballer with Sunny Sahota
Welcome to the BCFA’s column which outlines the proactive work that we are carrying out in The West Midlands and Warwickshire to increase the number of Asians into the game and highlight the Asian community’s participation in football at all levels players, coaches, volunteers, fans and referees.
The Birmingham County FA is offering local people a chance to shape the future of football in the Black Country, Birmingham and Warwickshire at one of three special events which will be hosted in 2008.
The FA received over 17,000 responses to its “Your Game, Your Say” survey which has helped form the National Game Strategy for 2007-12 – a blueprint for the development of all football in England beneath the Football League
Now it is the turn of Birmingham County FA to hold interactive events in Birmingham, the Black Country and Warwickshire where anyone with an interest in the grassroots game can have their say. Topics to be addressed will include growth and retention within the game, raising standards, running the game and creating better players and Football for All.
Walsall’s Banks’ Stadium will kick off the consultation process on Tuesday 5th February with Villa Park playing host to the Birmingham event on Thursday 21st February. In addition to these three main events, Birmingham County FA will also be offering the opportunity to put opinions forward via an online survey on birminghamfa.com and by e-mailing suggestions to yourgame@birminghamfa.com
Focus groups and suggestion boxes will also help provide the County FA with the information it needs to work with local governing bodies and to take football forward throughout the region.
A BCFA Strategy Steering group has been set up co-ordinate the consultation process. County Development Manager, Natalie Justice said its members are looking forward to hearing a wide range of opinions between now and March:
“This is a really exciting time for Birmingham County FA – the thoughts and ideas we receive are going to have a direct influence on how we organise and develop the game over the next 5 years.
“We’re really keen to welcome as many people as possible who are involved or interested in grassroots football at our three consultation events,” she added.
“However, if people can’t attend then we would still like to hear what they think either by completing the online survey, by e-mailing or writing to us.”
To reserve your free place at your local “Your Game, Your Say… Your County FA” Consultation Event, visit www.birminghamfa.com for your bookings form.
In further news Kick It Out are offering you a unique opportunity to acquire a limited edition Paul Smith T-shirt that has been specially produced by Paul Smith to help raise funds for the PFA’s ‘One Goal, One Million’ campaign. This well designed, high quality T-shirt is priced at £30 and can be sent to you in 24 hours. For your T-Shirt you can pay via PayPal Send an email to info@kickitout.org with your name, full address and details of what you wish to order. By cheque or postal order make cheques payable to KICK IT OUT and include a contact number, in case a problem arises with the order. Send either to – Kick It Out, PO Box 29544, London, EC2A 4WR.
Finally, funding is crucial to the development of sport and no more so than within minority ethnic communities. If you are looking for information on how you can identify and apply for cash, download our funding fact pack. http://www.kickitout.org/index.php?id=379
Finally have a brilliant New Years everyone and lets make 2008 a year to remember on and off the field.
