1. Northumberland FA Business Plan 2015 – 2019

2. Background  Northumberland FA’s overarching function is to support, develop and govern grassroots football across three local authorities; Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. The total population of the County is approximately 795,000 (over 80% live in south east Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside (about 35% of the area).  Northumberland FA uses information from The FA (Data on Demand) and Sport England (APS & Participation Data) to highlight potential areas of growth, and to support sustainable football development activities.

3. Executive Summary  This Business Plan sets out Northumberland FA’s vision and strategic priorities. It is an outline working document that will shape and drive our delivery over the next four years. It includes the following sections:  Overview  Vision  Insight – data to support strategic priorities  Strategic Priorities  Inclusion Data – population breakdown of involvement in football  SWOT Analysis  Monitoring & Evaluation – timed and structured benchmarking against targets  Appendices – delivery information to support Business Plan

4. Vision To provide inclusive opportunities to promote, develop and support all forms of affiliated football across the county.

5. Customer Insight Development & Support of Grassroots Football (Source: Sept – Dec 2014 FA Insight Survey) Stakeholder Priorities 2015 – 2019 (Source: March 2015 NFA Consultation Survey) Consultation Survey - Priorities 2015 - 2019

6. Goal: Sustain and increase participation -Raise standards and provide useful services to clubs and leagues -Modern and flexible formats of football -Reduce the decline of adult male 11v11 -More participants from underrepresented groups Goal: Player development - Comprehensive coach education programme and ongoing support to coaches -Support FA Skills Programme -Support player pathways Goal: Football workforce - Make the role of the volunteer as easy as possible -Implement technology solution to support members -Increase the coverage of referees -Meet our responsibilities to protect the welfare of all members Goal: Better training and playing facilities -Improve facility planning and protection -Maximise football outputs of FF funded facilities -Develop new and improve facilities (including more 3G’s and improved grass pitches) -Support facility owners to improve management and maintenance of facilities Goal: Be Representative of football -Effective and fully inclusive Board and Council - Agreed FA and Internal KPI’s with robust M & E -Secure and stable financial position Strategic Priorities Goal: Improving pitch side Behaviour -Provide ongoing support to clubs and leagues -Deliver education to all football participants -Promote and reward good practice

7. Current Participation (Teams)

8. Inclusion Data Northumberland FA have implemented an Anti-Discrimination Panel and are committed to: Attaining Equality Standard Award IAG Becoming representative of all forms of football Area of Football (% of all football)FA AverageNFATargets Female adult participation5.17%5.47%Maintain Female youth participation9.72%13.09%Maintain Female referees3.62%5.53%Maintain Licenced female coaches5.30%1.67%to 3.00% BAME referees10.95%5.24%to 5.75% Licenced BAME coaches5.29%5.92%Maintain Referees with a disability1.25%0.87% to 1.25% Licenced coaches with a disability1.07%1.37%Maintain

9. Northumberland FA SWOT Source: Internal and External Consultation Surveys (March 2015) StrengthsWeaknesses Mini Soccer and Youth Participation Coach Education delivery College franchise agreement Club and league support Referee training and support Return on facility investment Communication – internal /external Not representative of football Reducing player numbers (11 v 11) Poor quality playing surfaces

10. Opportunities Nature of Opportunity Likelihood (1-5) Impact (1-5) Rating (L x I) What are we doing to mitigate or manage? Become representative across all football 5525 Adaptations to Articles & membership / representation on Board & Council Increase events/competitions/festivals339 Providing wider opportunities across all forms of football Futsal development3412 Creating new league and cup competitions / playing opportunities Folding team procedure5315Capturing information during affiliation Implementation of Whole Game System5525 Delivering bespoke service to clubs and leagues Veterans football339Creating flexible playing opportunities Efficiency improvements across business5525 Streamlining working processes and implementing good business practice Pitch Perfect Programme5420 Working with clubs/leagues & local authorities to compliment services

11. Threats Nature of risk/threat Likelihood (1-5) Impact (1-5) Rating (L x I) What are we doing to mitigate or manage? Reduction in Public Sector discretionary services 4520 Support with PPS & Asset transfer (where appropriate) Utilisation of Pitch Perfect Pilot Scheme. LA forums & club guidance documents produced Decrease in participation (Male 11v11)4416 Alternative playing opportunities / streamlining of administration & promoting use of rolling substitutions Customer perception339 Provide all staff with customer service training and direct dialogue with customers Loss / reduction in funding4416 Workforce / delivery review and efficiency improvements Source: Internal and External Consultation Surveys (March 2015)

12. Monitoring & Evaluation Six Monthly FA Review – CEO / CDM Quarterly Business Plan – Board/Council/CEO/CDM Operational Plan – All staff Board / Council Updates – CEO / CDM Staff Review - CEO / CDM Monthly Business Plan – Board/CEO/CDM Senior Management team / Staff Updates / Project & Programme Review Staff Performance Management System  Staff PDR’s with annual appraisal  Annual Work Programme linked to Operational Plan  Internal Quarterly Review meetings against operational objectives

13. Monitoring & Evaluation GoalMeasureBaselineTargetCurrent Sustain & Increase Participation No of mini soccer teams388398388 No of male teams861822861 No of female teams96 No of disability teams161816 Player Development No of FA Youth Award Module 3 Coaches 0120 Better Playing & Training Facilities No of improved grass pitches 194819 No of new 3G pitches 111411 The Football Workforce % of youth and adult matches officiated by a qualified referee N/A90N/A Demonstrate an improved level of service to CFA volunteers N/ATBCN/A

14. Appendices  The following are non-mandatory Operational Plans that a CFA can develop to assist in their delivery of the NGS  Sustain and Increase Participation  Player Development  Better Training & Playing Facilities  The Football Workforce  Marketing and Communication