The programme offers a wide range of benefits and opportunities and young leaders are able to gain experience in volunteering across 6 themes. Here in Durham we run a Football Futures programme to suit everyone whether your interest lies in being out on the field as a Coach or Referee or behind the scenes.
Who is the programme for?
Anyone aged 14-22 years old who is interested in becoming involved in Leadership and Volunteering through football. Whether you want to volunteer in your school or college or your local FA Charter Standard Football Club this programme will provide you with excellent opportunities to enhance your leadership skills, make new friends, gain FA qualifications and volunteer with Durham County FA and our partners.
How do I get involved?
You can enrol on the programme by contacting Tina Reed (Football Development Officer – Education) on 0191 387 2928 or tina.reed@durhamfa.com or by filling in an expression of interest form which is available in the Education section of our website. Alternatively you can speak to your PE teacher/Charter Standard Club as we may already be working with them!
Young Leaders are encouraged to gain experience in volunteering across the following 6 themes:
Theme 1 – Coaching and Working with Teams: You could help coach and/or manage a football team in your school, college or university or an FA Charter Standard Club. You could also volunteer on our FA Club Links Programme, with the FA Skills Team, our Disability Football Programme or as part of a Football in the Community Scheme. The FA Coach Scholarship Programme is designed to support the best young coaches in the country through mentoring support and a bursary to support you with gaining FA qualifications in order to develop as a coach.
Theme 2 – Refereeing: As long as its on a voluntary basis you can referee games at a club, for your school, college or university or in our Ability Counts league. You can referee mini soccer games in festivals and if you decide to take it further, you can complete your Basic Refereeing Qualification and progress to refereeing 11 a side football. Durham County FA provide regular opportunities for you to train as a referee and many of our current young leaders who themselves are qualified referees are always on hand to offer advice and guidance on the best way to get started.
Theme 3 – Running Events: You could assist with the organisation, coordination and delivery of mini soccer festivals, club tournaments, fundraising events, school, college or university futsal events or disability festivals. Durham FA can provide a range of volunteer opportunities for our young leaders to get involved in running and supporting football events.
Theme 4 – Running and Developing the Game: We have volunteer placements available within FA Charter Standard Leagues for those whose interests may lie within organisation or administration. You could assist your PE staff with the running of intra mural leagues or competitions or you could volunteer behind the scenes in a Charter Standard Club.
Theme 5 – Promoting the Game: You could help with the development of your clubs website, social networking groups – keeping everything and everyone up to date! You could gain voluntary hours by writing match reports, press releases, website or newsletter articles or taking photographs. Durham County FA can provide opportunities within the Football Futures Programme to get involved in filmmaking and editing, writing and photography under the supervision of one of our Football Futures Ambassadors.
Theme 6 – RESPECT Ambassador: This role could involve supporting football events in making sure all teams understand competition rules and regulations, helping develop a code of conduct and ensuring players/coaches/spectators sign up and adhere to it, promote the Respect Campaign within your school, college, university or club and also within Durham FA’s Football Futures Programme.
What are the benefits to the programme?
There are loads! Some of the main benefits include:
Recognition of your voluntary work on Durham FA website and newsletter
FA certificates rewarded for your voluntary hours from 10-200 hours (in 25 hour intervals)
The chance to enhance your leadership skills and gain new knowledge and experience
Meet and work with young leaders from across the County
The chance to earn FREE UMBRO kit and equipment plus discounts on coach education courses Climb the leadership pathway - become part of our Leadership Academy and Management Team
The chance to represent us at National FA events
Annual 2 day Leadership Camp
Annual Awards Programme