FA offers up advice on involving young people
1. START BY LOOKING AROUND YOU
As a club or a league the biggest advantage you have is that you already have a potential group of young volunteers in your own membership. Engage with the players on your doorstep and let them help shape their club.
2. TRUTHFUL, ACCURATE, HONEST - WHAT’S YOUR OFFER?
Be clear on what help you want from young people. Talk directly. Provide a realistic description of what’s required. Offer roles identifying tasks or projects that need to be done.SUCH AS“Help required for coaching, refereeing, awards night, website development, a fundraiser, renovating a club house.”
3. WHATS IN IT FOR ME?
Many young people will be looking for an opportunity to better themselves. To gain experience, learn a skill or even a qualification that helps with their personal or career progression. A lot of activity that takes place in a club or league can also be viewed as marketing, communications, management of events, sports administration etc. Just the sort of thing employees or universities look for.
4. INSTAGRAM, WHATSAPP, SNAPCHAT?
Almost all young people are familiar with new technology, software and social media. A huge range of volunteering opportunities can be created easily with this as a springboard; get a young person over the age of 18 to manage social media sites, blog regularly or make and edit videos, photos and publicity – all of which can be done remotely.
