The Lincolnshire FA Kick On Programme seeks to guide and support football providers in Lincolnshire to deliver an effective, sustainable recreational football offer with a low-administration, hassle-free format. 

What is ‘Recreational Football’?

Recreational football is exactly what it says on the tin – football that is low-commitment, casual, and suits the needs of modern-day players. It’s for players who can’t commit to play every week, don’t want to play matches, or just want to enjoy football in an informal environment. It’s no hassle, no pressure, just football as it should be – fun.

Recreational football should be convenient not just for player, but for those that run it too – so Lincolnshire FA have launched their new Kick On Programme to support providers to deliver recreational football effectively and efficiently, whilst ensuring quality assurance and safeguarding protocols are in place.

Who is it for?

• Lincolnshire FA’s Kick On Programme is for everyone, so whether you want to deliver to 10-year-old’s or 100-year-old’s, you can get involved. 
• You can make your sessions open to external participants, or keep them within specific groups or communities. 
• You can make them male-only, female-only, mixed, or for specific age groups. It’s your session to run, so you can make the decisions.
• It’s for new players, experienced players, and everyone in between.
• Whatever you decide to do, it’s about offering football that’s fun and enjoyable whether you’re there every week or only on occasion. 

How does it work?

• Providers need to complete a short application form that provide the details of the session.
• Lincolnshire FA will then get in touch to offer support, guidance and where relevant, funding or equipment packages.
• Where applicable (i.e., if offering sessions to those aged under 18) providers will need to evidence the appropriate safeguarding and DBS qualifications.
• The provider then delivers the sessions as outlined on their application, whether that’s once a week, once a fortnight or once month – whatever works for you!
• Providers can deliver sessions however they like, whether they play small-sided matches, mini games and activities, or even a Soccercise style session.
• Providers will be required to submit a register once every six weeks to Lincolnshire FA.

What does the Lincolnshire FA Kick On Programme not cover?

• The Lincolnshire FA Recreational Football Programme is not just a training session for teams that compete in structured leagues or competitions.
o (please get in touch with info@lincolnshirefa.com if you would like to enquire about affiliating a structured, competitive team).
• It’s not a competition, or a means for entering a group of players into a competition.

What do providers receive?

Providers of Kick On will receive:

• Up to £200 in funding to support the start-up of delivery.
• Access to discounted kit and equipment, including bibs, cones and footballs.
• On-hand support from the County FA, on all things from delivery support, session promotion, and more.
• Branded marketing assets to help you promote your session.
• Entry into bi-monthly draws including prizes such as FA Cup tickets, England Men’s and Women’s tickets, Kitlocker vouchers, and more.

Programme Criteria

• Delivery: 
o Providers must commit to a minimum of 10 sessions worth of delivery.

• Safeguarding: 
o Sessions for under 18s must evidence a safeguarding point of contact, as well as relevant DBS and Safeguarding qualifications for volunteers.

• Staff and Volunteers:
o Sessions for over 18s: A minimum of one adult (18+) delivering activity.
o Sessions for under 18s: A minimum of two adults (18+) with one of the two adults holding an in-date FA DBS and an in-date safeguarding children workshop.

• Health and Safety:
o A facility risk assessment (Lincolnshire FA can provide a template).

• Insurance:
o Evidence of public liability insurance of a minimum of £2,000,000.

• Sustainability: 
o Plans to deliver past the minimum 10 sessions worth of delivery.

• Inclusivity: 
o Provide playing opportunities for male, female or mixed players that want to access recreational, low-commitment football.

• Participants: 
o A register must be completed and sent to Lincolnshire FA every 6 weeks.

• Terms and Conditions: 
o The Lincolnshire FA Kick On Programme Terms and Conditions must be signed and returned, and adhered to throughout delivery.

The following information is required at the point of application:

• Lead Contact Name/FAN
• Lead Contact Number
• Additional Volunteers name(s) and FAN
• Age Range of Sessions
• Start Date of Event
• Day/Time of Weekly Sessions
• Venue
• Open/Closed (can external participants attend your event?
• Cost Per Participant
• Terms & Conditions

Once your application is approved, you will need to provide:

• A health and safety risk assessment (using the LFA template)
• Evidence of Public Liability insurance to the value of £2,000,000

Every six weeks, you will need to provide a register for your sessions, including:

• FAN (if known)

If FAN is not known, then the following is required:

• Name,
• Email,
• Date of Birth