THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FA)

Defining County Football

The FA and County FA football network needed a new way of working together. We helped them define the mandate, and roles and responsibilities in a complex environment.

The challenge…

The FA spends approximately £55 million on grassroots football every year, primarily through the County FAs. However, the FA did not have a clear oversight of county football participation, or of the impact of their investment decisions.

The FA selected us to conduct an independent and comprehensive review of the County FA operating model. The aim was to determine how the FA could maximise their ROI into the County FAs, to better support the game.

The approach…

We began by reviewing 4 key elements of the operating model: operations, organisation, funding, and governance.

Next, we collected and analysed data alongside extensive stakeholder engagement. This included over 25 County FA visits and over 30 interviews with FA employees.

Based on our diagnosis of the current situation in County Football, we designed a new operating model and an implementation plan for the FA.

The impact…

The new operating model for the County FAs included updated funding distribution, organisational structures, and codes of governance.

We obtained buy-in from a wide range of stakeholders across the FA and County FA network. This ensured alignment on implementation, resulting in realisation of the new model.

Our research gave the FA an updated understanding of the current landscape, enabling them to maximise their future investments in county football.