Moving Forward sets out the organisation’s direction through the pillars of Engagement, Corporate Governance, Business and Operations. These are supported by individual department operational strategies which will deliver the FA National Game Strategy for Football Development, Safeguarding & Welfare, Refereeing, Governance and Marketing & Communications.

Our Chief Executive, Brendan Walshe, is excited by the prospect of these targets, explaining: “We are committed to ensuring we create the best inclusive and diverse environment possible for people of all ages and abilities, to experience the game of football in Essex and we are pleased to bring forward the Essex County FA ‘Moving Forward’ Strategy 2018-21.” 

“Over these three years, the accumulative population across the Local Authorities the Essex County FA serves is projected to grow by more than 100,000, which will create opportunities for the game in Essex to grow and expand, but the game of football is evolving season-by-season.”

“Individual participation habits are changing in-line with ever-increasing demands on individuals’ time, driven by a fast-moving society. Individuals are choosing to consume the game in different ways based on their individual lifestyles, which includes more recreational and ‘turn-up and play’ formats, as well as the core league and club structure of the game.”



Moving Forward is being built on some existing achievements which include, in one season:

* more than 1,500 participants engaged in two Community Day events
* 1,836 learners across all coach education courses
* 284 candidates on Referee Courses through 15 individual courses
* £1.6m total project cost investment into new facility development in Essex
* 20,242 discipline cases administered
* 82% of all 9v9 and 11v11 games appointed with a qualified match official
* secured more than £91,000 of Football Foundation ‘Grow the Game’ funding into Essex
* safeguarding visits completed with 173 teams
* delivered female Regional Talent Club and Player Development Centre for 113 players
* developed six England female youth internationals

The full 2018-2021: ‘Moving Forward’ Strategy can be downloaded below in 'Related Documents'. You can also find out more on how to get involved in grassroots football as a player, coach, referee, volunteer or club in the menus above. And don't forget to follow @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.