Ways to Encourage People to Play Grassroots Football After They’ve Left the Game

It’s not too often that we get positive news from the world of grassroots football in the UK, but that’s what happened in May 2024 when Statista revealed that the number of people regularly participating in English grassroots football rose in 2023 for the second year running.
More than 2.1 million people are now actively involved in organised football at the grassroots level – up from just over 2 million the year before. While we’re still some way off the 2016 figure of 2.3 million, it’s fair to say that the game is slowly recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic.
With investment slowly trickling down and a number of grassroots football initiatives aimed at making the game more inclusive and accessible, the outlook is positive. However, there are still hundreds of thousands of people who have up the game a few years ago and still haven’t returned.
So, if you want to encourage people to play grassroots football after they’ve left the game – or you run a football club and want to attract talent back to the fold – how do you go about it? Here are a few ideas:
Look for Age-Appropriate Grassroots Football Programs
Tailoring programs for older adults or those returning to the game after a break is essential for re-engagement. Age-appropriate programs should focus on less intensive training sessions. Adapt training intensity levels to suit the age or ability range you’re targeting. This will ensure exercises and sessions are manageable and enjoyable.
Also, emphasise the social aspects of training and competition to make the experience enjoyable and stress-free. This approach encourages participation without the pressure of delivering an all-star performance every time you take to the pitch!
Stock Up on Essential Football Equipment
A lot of people struggle to afford regular football subs these days, so asking them to bring football equipment such as footballs, training vests, cones, football goals and other items is a big ask.
Invest in bulk wherever possible to cut overall costs. For example, rather than buying one football at a time, try to buy a pack of 10.
The more prepared your football club is to welcome back players, the more likely it is that word will spread.
Share Community Football Projects
Creating a welcoming and inclusive community environment is key to winning back disillusioned players. One idea is to create a more inclusive club by developing a strong, sustainable football environment that’s open and inviting to all community members.
Actively reach out to former players and invite them to join community events, casual matches, or club activities. And organise events like fun days, charity matches and social gatherings to foster a sense of community and belonging among participants.
Create Flexible Training Schedules
Flexible scheduling is crucial to accommodate increasingly busy people these days. Wherever possible try to schedule training sessions and matches in the evenings or on weekends to make it easier for those with work or family commitments to participate. Listen to the feedback from your players and participants. They’ll tell you the best times to host training sessions.
Shorter, more frequent sessions can sometimes help, but they usually increases the costs involved. Try to remain open to last-minute sessions and schedule changes to ensure everyone who wants to take part can.
Spread the World Online
Effectively leveraging social media and local advertising can significantly boost awareness and participation in grassroots football. You can do this i na number of ways.
Use Social Media Platforms
Engage with popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to reach a broad audience. Share updates about training sessions, matches and community events to keep followers informed and engaged.
Highlight Success Stories
Share inspiring stories and testimonials from individuals who have successfully returned to grassroots football. This can motivate others who are considering rejoining to take the leap by seeing real-life examples of positive experiences.
Local Advertising
Utilise local newspapers, community bulletin boards, and radio stations to advertise football opportunities. These traditional methods can reach people who might not be active on social media, such as senior players.
Engage the Community
Encourage current players and supporters to share their experiences and promote upcoming events within their networks. Community engagement amplifies the reach of marketing efforts.
Visual Content
Post photos and videos of training sessions, matches and social events. Visual content is more engaging and can capture the excitement and camaraderie of grassroots football.
Offer Skill Development Sessions
Emphasising personal skill development and enjoyment rather than competition can make grassroots football more appealing, especially for those who feel they are not at their peak performance level.
Individual Training Programs
Develop tailored training sessions that focus on individual skill improvement. This helps players work at their own pace and track their personal progress.
Skill-Based Drills
Incorporate drills that enhance fundamental skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting. Making these drills fun and engaging can boost players' enthusiasm and confidence.
Positive Feedback
Focus on providing constructive and positive feedback during training sessions. Encouragement can significantly enhance a player’s enjoyment and willingness to continue improving.
Share the Joy of Grassroots Football
Grassroots football is the best sport in the world when everyone pulls together to get involved and make it a community endeavour. Encourage people to play grassroots football at every opportunity, and let’s make it more popular than ever before!