NextGen Sussex Football

New Young Leaders Programme Launched

We are proud to introduce NextGen Sussex Football

NextGen Sussex Football is the new programme for 16-25-year-olds in Sussex to listen to the ideas of young people and upskill them so they can become the future football workforce. The programme is free to join and will involve a series of workshops monthly throughout the 2021/22 season. 

These will be delivered by ourselves in conjunction with a range of partners across the county. Partners include Brighton & Hove Albion, University of Chichester, Sussex Disability Football League, Football.v.Homophobia and Crawley Game Changers.

Furthermore, young leaders will have the opportunity to pitch an idea for a ‘football development project’ to change football locally. This may be to make the game more inclusive, engage more participants or raise the standard of grassroots football in the county within a club, league, or the wider area. These ideas may be utilised by ourselves and our partners with the young leaders’ support to implement in 2022/23.

Football Development Officer Sean Lofting is leading on the programme and has shared his thoughts on the launch. “I’m delighted that we have been able to create a youth leadership offer in Sussex that provides both the educational and practical opportunities required to learn about the football industry.

"Offering it for free and moving workshops across the county makes it accessible for everyone from Chichester to Hastings to Crawley. We hope that in a few years, the young people from this programme will be coordinating football locally and beyond.”

After the seven workshops are completed, there will be a free to attend careers day hosted at the Amex Stadium on Saturday 16th April. Young leaders will receive support in developing their CV, interview skills and football specific qualities. They’ll also have an opportunity to meet various partners in local football and sport to find voluntary, paid, or academic opportunities.

FA Coach Development Officer for Women & Girls Football, Sharon Muxworthy, has shown her support for the programme, adding: “NextGen Sussex Football is a wonderful opportunity for young people to empower their local community’s offer for football whilst gaining relevant experience and skills supporting their transition to employment through high quality support and mentoring.”

To register for NextGen Sussex Football you must:
Be aged 16-25
Living in Sussex or attending a university in Sussex
Have an interest in football beyond participating as a player

Please see the welcome pack for more information on the programme.
REGISTER FOR NEXTGEN

There will be an induction evening on Monday 18 October, 6:30-7:30pm that will take place on Microsoft Teams and we would encourage all who are joining the programme to attend.

For more information on NextGen Sussex Football please contact:

Development
E: Development@SussexFA.com