The FA

In partnership with the ESFA

The Football Association (FA) is the governing body for the English game. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest football association in the world and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game. The FA sanctions all competitive football matches within its remit at national level, and indirectly at local level through its affiliated members, of which the English Schools’ FA is one. The ESFA governs the schools’ game under delegation from The FA.

The ESFA and The FA have a long standing partnership, ranging from places on each other’s governing Councils to attendance at each other’s events. However, the primary reason for the partnership is that of football participation: The FA’s grant funding is a significant contribution to the ESFA’s ability to provide extra-curricular football for school children all over England.


“The ESFA is grateful to The FA not only for investing in the schools’ game, but also for the positive and productive manner in which our partnership is continuing to develop”

Andrea Chilton,CEO

FA Play Safe

Play Safe is football’s national campaign to focus attention on the vital importance of safeguarding in our national game.

This year’s focus remains on the key role of parents/carers in safeguarding, with two main messages being conveyed:
“¢ Are you aware of the vital safeguarding role you play in football?
“¢ Please take the new, short and free safeguarding course specifically developed for parents/carers, which can be accessed  here.

As FA head of safeguarding Sue Ravenlaw says:  “Play Safe demonstrates that across the game we are all united in the intent to keep children and young people safe in football.

As adults it’s essential that we all work together – including with parents/carers  – to create positive football settings where children thrive and feel confident to speak up if they are not feeling ok.

“Backing the Play Safe campaign gives clubs and leagues a particular moment, early in the season, to talk with parents/carers, players, coaches, managers, first aiders and spectators and reinforce their safeguarding practice and what’s expected of everyone involved.

“There are robust reporting systems in place across the game and The FA has a professional Safeguarding Case Management team.   The Premier League and EFL Safeguarding Standards, as well as the Safeguarding 365 Standard for County FAs, emphasise the everyday place safeguarding has in football. Premier League and EFL clubs and County FAs, are independently assessed to ensure safer working practice is continuously evolving across the country.

“Play Safe naturally aligns with and shows our support for the NSPCC’s  Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week  campaign.”

For more information on the FA’s Play Safe Campaign please click here