Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuala Lumpur: Grassroots football’s contributions benefit not only all football stakeholders but also parties outside the game, UEFA’s Football Development Consultant Robin Russell said on Thursday.
Russell (pictured, left) made a presentation on the European model of grassroots philosophy and strategy at the AFC Grassroots Workshop in the Malaysian capital held in conjunction with the Grassroots Year 2013 and Grassroots Day on 15 May.
The workshop includes presentations on grassroots structure and policy, MA projects, grassroots futsal, actions to promote growth and retention, inclusion for all values, workgroup discussion forum and grassroots football recommendations for Asia.
“We all know the benefits of grassroots football for the FA,” said Russell. “It provides a basis of support or increases the pool from which to select international players for international team success. The more players, the more potential income and more attraction of sponsors.
“As for the clubs, research shows that kids’ participation is highest in countries with a high number of teams per club. So, the more players they have, the more potential income they can make, and the more teams there are, the better the identity and stability. More life-long players means more potential volunteers to help in the grassroots cause.
“As for the players, they get to have fun and build self esteem, make friends and learn new skills, just to name a few of the advantages of grassroots football.
“Grassroots also helps schools by helping build children’s literacy, numeracy and IT skills. It helps bolster school identity and is a simple way to meet physical education requirements for boys and girls.
“How about the advantages for the state government? We rarely ask this question, but grassroots definitely helps reduce crime at key times in children’s life and also works in bringing down crime in key locations.
“It helps reduces child obesity as well as smoking and alcohol problems. In short grassroots helps promote the importance of health and therefore helps reduce the government’s health costs. It also promotes social cohesion and integrates ethnic groups.”