EXISTING and future grassroots volunteers can access the entry-level ‘EE Playmaker’ online course, which will navigate them around the competencies of volunteering at grassroots level whilst creating fun, safe and inclusive football experiences.

While EE Playmaker is a football course, there is no need to have extensive football knowledge or experience to get the most out of it. The ‘brilliant basics’ of football are being nurtured by the course, providing a toolkit for anybody aged 14+ through five, free, engaging modules. No previous experience or qualifications in the game are required prior to signing-up.

The focus throughout is about providing skills, guidance and tips so anyone can help create safe, fun and inclusive football. The modules include:

• Creating Fun Sessions: a module focused on FA session plans, routine and ideas which can be easily accessible all you have to do is pick up and use at training straight away
• Connecting with Your Players: a module which explores motivation, unity and a real sense of communication techniques to help engage individuals and teams and cohesively establish an environment of comfort
• Make Football For All and Keep Football Safe: which offers imperative knowledge on concussion management, sudden cardiac arrest and safeguarding children

EE Playmaker has been developed in collaboration between The FA’s Education and Grassroots Participation Departments. The course has the potential to make a significant difference to the way football supports volunteers to drive the grassroots game. It’s online, free and designed around the needs of current and prospective volunteers, meaning it can be a realistic entry point into football education for a lot of people.

If you would like to take the EE Playmaker Course, visit www.essexfa.com/coaches/england-football-courses to sign-up. You will need an FA Number (FAN) to register. If you don’t have one, you can create one right now via the website. Information is also shared by @EssexCountyFA and @EssexCoaches on Twitter/X and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.