Football Development Officer (Youth & Mini Soccer)

The Kent FA is looking to recruit a dynamic and inspiring Football Development Officer (Youth & Mini Soccer) to join our team at a truly exciting time. We are looking for an individual who brings passion and enthusiasm to the team and who will work collaboratively with others, both internally and externally, from the organisation. The successful candidate will support implementing and delivering the FA National Game Strategy and the Kent FA Play. Protect. Promote 2024-2028 Strategy, helping to deliver a sustainable plan for growth and quality across the youth football pathway. The Football Development Officer (Youth & Mini Soccer) will report directly to the Head of Football Development but will be line-managed by the Club Development Lead and will be an important member of the Football Development Team.,

• Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers across all FA Technology systems (Platform For Football, Club Spark, Matchday app and Full-Time).
• Identify sources of funding that will be of benefit to grassroots football and provide appropriate advice and support to applicants.
• Provide football development support and advice to clubs and leagues.
• Complete an annual analysis of youth football to map participation and identify gaps in provision.
• Facilitate the movement of male players from mini-soccer to youth football and youth football to adult football.
• Guide clubs and leagues through upcoming playing format and rule changes as part of the FA's Future of Youth Football project.
• Develop programmes to support and grow male football provision, with a focus on retaining 12 to 18-year-old male players.
• Support the Club Development Lead with the England Football Accreditation programme, working to support clubs (and leagues) to become and then stay accredited.
• Provide or facilitate the development of other formats of football (e.g. futsal) that reflect changing participant behaviour and expectations.
• Facilitate the delivery of the Youth Male Participation Pathway working group.