THE FA have released their new ‘Reaching Higher’ women’s and girls’ game strategy, which outlines the governing body’s priorities over the next four years, from 2024-2028.

The FA’s 2020-2024 strategy, ‘Inspiring Positive Change’, coincided with record growth across the sport, with more women and girls playing, coaching, officiating and supporting the flourishing professional game than ever before.

The new strategy aims to build on the transformational success achieved to date, and strives to continue working to unlock the full potential of the women’s and girls’ game. Linked locally to the female football elements of the new Essex County FA #MovingForward 2028 Strategy, Reaching Higher outlines four strategic priorities:

1. Build and Protect the Uniqueness of the Women’s Game: Continue to honour the history of women’s football and recognise those who have contributed towards making it so unique, whilst ensuring the distinct qualities and unique culture of the women’s game are valued and protected.
2. Win a Major Tournament: Continue to be world-leaders both on and off the pitch, developing players and building an inclusive talent pathway system to make football more equal and accessible at every level of the game, ensuring the England pathway and teams represent society.
3. Build Robust, High-Quality Competition: Create compelling competition structures and support clubs to develop to the appropriate level within the game, while enabling people to grow and develop within The FA’s competition structures.
4. Deliver Equal Opportunities for Women and Girls to Play: Sustain growth in schools whilst tackling inequalities. Continue to grow the number of female teams and deliver vibrant league offers whilst extending and enhancing the sessional football offer. The ambition is for 90% of schools to deliver equal access for girls to play football in key stages two and three.

There are five golden threads which weave through each of the four strategic priorities and across all levels of the women’s and girls’ game, which will be instrumental for delivering the next phase of growth by 2028:

1) Female Health and Wellbeing: Develop the game to support women and girls with their health and wellbeing needs, providing them with environments in which they can thrive.

2) Safeguarding: Support the evolution of an ever-safer culture across the women’s and girls’ game.

3) Refereeing: Grow and nurture a new generation of referees who are representative of our society.

4) Coaching: Support and develop brilliant coaches capable of unleashing every player’s potential in a safe and inclusive game.

5) Diversity and Inclusion: Ensure the game is more reflective of our society.

Reaching Higher also outlines plans for the women’s and girls’ game to be developed by four enabling areas, which will see greater commercial investment, the advancement of its data and technology services, a continued focus on marketing and communications, and improved playing pitches and facilities.

Baroness Sue Campbell, outgoing Director of Women’s Football at The FA, said: “There’s no question that in the last four years we have made significant and tangible progress across every aspect of women’s and girls’ football, but there is no room for complacency – we must strive to reach higher.”

“Although diversity within the women’s game is improving, we must double our efforts to ensure every girl and woman feels they are welcome within the football family, whether as players, coaches, officials or leaders. We can be proud of what has been achieved to date, but now is the time to refocus our priorities so we can unlock the true potential of women’s and girls’ football.”

Mark Bullingham, Chief Executive Officer at The FA, added: “Until we have the same number of women and girls playing as men and boys, there is still more work to do across the game. In the next four years, we will set our sights on more international success, as well as building the quality and sustainability of our women’s and girls’ leagues and cup competitions and developing facilities to match our ambitions.”

“None of our ambitious plans can be delivered without seamless collaboration with football’s stakeholders, including the new independent body running the top two divisions of the women’s game. We head into the 2024-28 period in great shape, with ambition to deliver more growth and societal change.”

The full ‘Reaching Higher’ Strategy can be viewed at www.essexfa.com. You can also find the Essex County FA on X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.