In a timely reminder that football is not all about profit margins, the minister for sport has noted that the FA's new strategy might not only be important in terms of improving the state of the national game but also the state of the nation's health.
According to Gerry Sutcliffe, the FA's pledge to invest £200 million in grass roots football over the next five years will act to encourage sports participation, build up community relations and boost fitness levels - all three of which would be aims of any government, including the current Labour administration under which Mr Sutcliffe serves.
As a result of this, the minister believes the FA should be praised for implementing such a progressive strategy.
"The FA's National Game Strategy underlines areas that government and football can work together on such as improving people's health, increasing sports participation and strengthening local communities," he commented, according to the FA's website.
This view was echoed by Hugh Robertson, the shadow sports and Olympics minister, who suggested that by encouraging sports inclusion the FA might also increase Britain's medal haul at the 2012 Games.
"The long term development of football's grassroots could not be more important for either the game itself or, indeed, the country in terms of our London 2012 legacy," he said.
More importantly, it might give England a better chance of winning the 2014 World Cup.
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21 October 2010
21 October 2010
21 October 2010
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
