The FA Leadership Academy is a 12-month learning and development programme for Youth Leaders in football aged 16 – 24 which kicks off with a 4-day residential event.

This year the residential will take place in-person on the 24th – 27th July 2023. Over their 12-month learning and development journey, participants are supported to unlock their full potential whilst implementing a project that aims to deliver positive change in their local football community. The programme is delivered by the 13 youth leaders of the FA National Youth Council whose vision is:

“To ensure all young people have meaningful and inclusive opportunities to develop themselves and positively impact the football community.”

To participate in FA Leadership Academy 23, Youth Leaders must: 

➢ Have not attended FALA before.
➢ Be aged 16-24 as of the 24th July 2023.
➢ Actively be involved with volunteering or youth leadership.
➢ Be motivated to develop myself and others; and 
➢ Attend all four days (24th–27th July 2023) in person.
➢ Be committed to implementing a project back in their community
➢ Be committed to completing the 12-month development journey.

Applications can be submitted by clicking this link

For more information on what the FA Leadership Academy is, connect with the FA National Youth Council on Twitter or Instagram by following @TheFA_NYC.

If you have any questions or require further support from an FA staff member, please contact Ben Grady (Ben.Grady@thefa.com). If a young person considering applying has any questions, please contact The FA National Youth Council on nationalyouthcouncil@thefa.com

Joel Richards Inspire Award

A significant moment during any FALA graduation ceremony is the announcement of the winner of the Joel Richards Inspire Award.

The award, which was introduced for the first time in 2016, was created to recognise and celebrate the life of Joel Richards who was tragically killed in the fatal mass-shooting attacks in Tunisia on 26 June 2015. Joel was an extremely talented young leader, always looking to support the development of others, creating opportunities for young people to get involved in the game. 

In memory of Joel Richards, this award celebrates an exceptional youth leader who has made a positive impact within their community and continues to inspire positive change for themselves, others, and the game. The award will be presented at the FALA Graduation Ceremony (Tuesday 25th July 2023) to an individual who embodies Joel’s passion, enthusiasm, and unforgettable smile.

We know there are many youth leaders working hard and taking action to support the game, and enable more people to feel like football is somewhere that they belong. We would therefore like to invite you to nominate a young person who you feel would be worthy of receiving the Joel Richards Inspire Award 2023.

The criteria for nomination are:-

• Must be aged 16 - 25 years 

• Volunteering within football

• Utilised their Youth Leader Position to make a significant, positive impact on either themselves, others and/or the game 

• Consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and enthusiasm within their youth leadership role

• Has shown passion to inspire positive change within their footballing community

If you would like to nominate an individual for the Joel Richards Inspire Award, please complete the nomination form, which can be found HERE by Monday 29th May 2023, 5pm.

Please note that the Joel Richards Inspire Award Winner will be notified by Friday 16th June, and invited to receive their award on the 25th July as part of the FALA Graduation ceremony. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact nationalyouthcouncil@thefa.com