Nothing beats the feeling of scoring a goal (Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)

Latest news from the Essex FA

The Football Association have launched a new ‘National Facilities Strategy’ for 2013-15 with the strap line “building, protecting and enhancing sustainable football facilities to improve the experience of the nations favourite game”.

And the Essex FA will be playing their part in the deliverance of those commitments locally.

It expands on existing facilities content in the wider National Game Strategy after extensive research, and many years of direct experience working with clubs and leagues.

The FA’s vision is necessarily simple and pragmatic - reflecting the views of people involved with football every day, and the plans aim to build, protect and enhance pitches and facilities in key locations in order to support new and existing participation.

There are an estimated 34,000 natural turf pitches in England, with 490 ‘Third Generation’ Artificial Grass Pitches. These are used by about 300,000 coaches, 400,000 volunteers and 29,000 clubs, accounting for 111,000 teams.

The FA has, therefore, to adopt a strategic approach to facility investment, targeting resources at those areas of greatest need.

Since 2001’s establishment of the Football Foundation - which administers capital awards on behalf of The FA, the Premier League and Sport England - over £780m has been invested into facilities across the country.

This has resulted in new and improved amenities, positively impacting on thousands of players, coaches and volunteers.

Grassroots football is heavily reliant on public resources at a time when the public sector is contracting.

The FA has recognised this and is taking steps to ensure future investment, wherever possible, addresses these new challenges.

The FA cannot completely protect grassroots from the impact of austerity, but it can make sure the investment is directed at proven need and work hard to create more financial independence and sustainability.

Existing partnerships with local authorities, primary and secondary schools, higher/further education and other community-based groups will be strengthened, and new ones formed.

The FA will work to attract new investment into facilities through direct partnerships with private sector partners.