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Increasing participation in the women’s game, firmly establishing disability football and offering more community opportunities are part of the GFA’s new strategy.
If successful, the number of female players will grow from 291 to 469 over the next four years.
The wide ranging strategy also addresses areas like supporting and increasing the number of volunteers, strengthening governance and addressing poor behaviour.
It marks a shift in focus from the current strategy, where improving facilities was a priority and in terms of the new Victoria Park development is being visibly delivered.
Pictured: The new Victoria Park is in development at Victoria Avenue.
The GFA wants to ensure that more people are inspired to get involved in football and enjoy the positive benefits it brings.
“This strategy reflects our ongoing commitment to ensure that this progress continues so we can ensure our sport truly represents the unified, welcoming, and accessible game for all,” said GFA CEO Gary Roberts.
“This is the vision of the Guernsey FA, and one that underpins all that we do, and the way in which we work. Football should be a constant source of positivity across the island and, with Victoria Park, Guernsey’s new ‘Home of Football’, set to open in early 2025, the Guernsey FA recognises that the time to inspire a game for all is now.”
The new strategic plan runs through to 2028.
It has five strategic priorities:
If successful, there will be an 11.5% increase in male participation, a new small-sided youth casual offering and the number of disabled players increased to 10.
“It is recognised that recreational formats, and environments, are becoming more attractive to many people, not least youth male participants,” the strategy says.
“While this presents a challenge to the structured club-based game, the Guernsey FA is committed to ensuring that support is provided across all areas of the game to ensure that the structured and competitive formats are complementary to each other, rather than competing.”
The GFA is looking to increase the number of female participants by 61% and introduce new team-based opportunities.
“Within Guernsey, the key engagement with young girls continues to take place within local schools where they are guided to appropriate exit routes by the Guernsey FA Development Team. Local school children benefit from football specific coaches delivering Physical Education in both Primary and Secondary School environments and this partnership with the local schools, which is an identifiable strength, enables the Guernsey FA to engage with hundreds of girls both in and out of curriculum time. Retaining these opportunities and continuing to influence decision making about football for girls within schools, including competitive opportunities, will be an ongoing priority during this new strategy.”
The ambition is to expand the number of younger female players leaving school continuing with the game.
The GFA also wants to develop the volunteer network, including increasing the number of registered referees by six to 42.
“The invaluable commitment of the hundreds of volunteers across football in Guernsey remains integral to the health of the game. Without that commitment, which includes the coaches, referees, administrators, welfare officers, committee members, and grounds staff, there simply would not be the same opportunities across the game.
“While it is coaching and refereeing that are arguably the most visible roles, there is so much unseen voluntary work that takes place on a daily and weekly basis to ensure that those who want to play the game can do so. Whether it is organising fixtures, preparing pitches, monitoring safeguarding requirements, supporting young referees, or opening the club canteen and bar, there are so many people who give their time to the game, and it is the responsibility of the Guernsey FA to support, recruit, and retain that volunteer workforce.”
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