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Under 11's welcomed Ibis this morning to the Phoenix. What a cracking game of football we had. Ibis were 0-2 up pretty quickly but our heads didn't drop once. We finished the first half 3-2 up with some fantastic football and finishing. We went 4-2 up in the second half before Ibis netted again. We hung on for a well deserved 4-3 against a very good side. Well done EVERYONE! Great team attitude

First game of the new season for the U13's was the WCFA U12's Cup final that should of been played back in May. Unfortunately we came second best to a very good Swarthmoor team who were seeking revenge after we beat them in the league cup final last season. Well done to all the kids involved and a big thanks to everyone who came to support Heathwaite.

Fantastic first game since lockdown. A really close friendly away to Carnforth. Carnforth just edged it 5-4. So very close. Every single player was awesome today, especially since it was our first game at 9 s side, the pitch is bigger and the offside rule comes in to play. Really impressed with everyone's attitude and effort. Well done everyone!

We can confirm that the UK Government approved our plan for the return of outdoor competitive grassroots football late last night, Friday 17 July 2020.  As a result, the grassroots football community now has the opportunity to return to football and prepare for the start of the new season. We've been working hard over recent weeks to prepare guidelines for the safe return of grassroots football and, following Government approval, these can now be published. Football activity can take place with necessary modifications in place to mitigate the transmission risk of COVID-19. We would strongly recommend a phased return to competitive football activity as follows: • Until 31 July – When ready, you can begin competitive training, with the overall group size (inclusive of coaches) being limited to 30 people; • From August – Competitive matches to begin, for example pre-season fixtures, festivals and small sided football competitions; • From September – Grassroots leagues, men’s National League System, Women’s Football Pyramid tiers 3 to 6, and FA Competitions can commence. Clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents/carers, spectators and football facility providers should read our full guidelines , which are accessible below, in addition to the latest Government guidance on COVID-19. A return to competitive football should only happen once clubs and facility providers have completed the necessary risk assessments and comprehensive plans are in place. A summary of key points to consider from our guidelines are listed for ease below: • Everyone should self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before every training session or match. If you are symptomatic or living in a household with possible or actual COVID-19 infection you must not participate or attend; • Clubs and facility providers should ensure that their facility is compliant with current Government legislation and guidance related to COVID-19; • Competitive training is now permitted, with groups limited to a maximum of 30 people, including coaches; • Competitive match play is permitted, with social distancing in place before and after the match, and in any breaks in play; • Players and officials should sanitise hands before and after a game as well as scheduled breaks throughout a game or training session; • Ball handling should be kept to a minimum with most contact via a boot and the ball disinfected in breaks of play; • Youth football coaches are encouraged to limit persistent close proximity of participants during match play and training; • Goal celebrations should be avoided; • Equipment should not be shared, and goalkeepers should ensure they disinfect their gloves regularly in breaks in training or matches and thoroughly afterwards. Where possible, coaches should only handle equipment in training; • Where possible, players, coaches and officials should arrive changed and shower at home. Use of changing and shower facilities must follow government advice on the use of indoor facilities; • Participants should follow best practice for travel including minimising use of public transport and walking or cycling if possible. People from a household or support bubble can travel together in a vehicle • Clubs should keep a record of attendees at a match or training session, including contact details, to support NHS Test and Trace; • Clubs should ensure they are affiliated with their County Football Association. Separate guidance has been developed for clubs with teams competing in the men’s National League System (NLS) and the Women’s Football Pyramid tiers 3 to 6. This will support these clubs on the safe return of paying spectators and also the applicability of the guidance to facilities under Ground Grading conditions, to ensure the safe return of competitive matches. Please note that at this stage, indoor football and Futsal is not permitted. We will look to work with indoor facility providers to develop appropriate guidance for indoor formats as soon as possible. James Kendall, Director of Football Development at The FA, said: “We're delighted that the Government has given the go-ahead for competitive grassroots football to return. The past few months have been some of the most challenging times not just for football, but across society, and today’s news will be welcomed by the grassroots football community all over the country. “Now that we are able to look ahead to the new season, it’s crucial that we continue to do all we can to follow safety measures, both as advised by the government and specifically for football.  “I would encourage anyone returning to competitive grassroots football to take the time to read this guidance, prepare thoroughly and to adopt our recommended approach to phasing football back in. I would also like to thank you for playing your vital part in helping our great game to get going again.” The full guidance document can be downloaded below, along with a short summary for all those involved in restarting activity. You can also read our FAQs document around this. Source: FA Website

England captains Steph Houghton and Harry Kane became the first people to make our Pledge of Positivity, encouraging others to follow suit. We’ve today launched the ‘Pledge of Positivity’ which asks parents and spectators involved in U18s grassroots football to commit to creating a more positive environment at matches across the country. A recent survey conducted by The FA and Nielsen found 88 per cent of over 1000 grassroots participants cite parents as a driver of disrespect in grassroots football. To have an impact on this off-pitch behaviour, we’ve launched the Pledge of Positivity, encouraging those on the sidelines to support all players involved and respect referees, coaches and other spectators. And the two England skippers also penned a joint letter to parents and spectators, which was painted into the touchlines at their childhood clubs - Harry’s Ridgeway Rovers in Essex and Steph’s Boldon Girls in South Shields, ahead of last weekend’s youth team matches. The letter highlights the importance of positive support and the role it played in their own footballing development, from the grassroots game all the way to Wembley. “As parents and spectators, it’s our job to make sure that children enjoy playing football,” said Kane, a father of two. “The pitch should be a place of support and encouragement. Youngsters should never feel pressure or intimidation from the sidelines, so I’m delighted to add my name to the Pledge of Positivity and I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to do the same.” And Lionesses captain Houghton added: “Positivity is essential in football. It’s important to create an environment where everyone enjoys playing. There are small things you can do on the touchline – like applauding good play from both teams – that has a big impact on young players.” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Having coached grassroots football for the last five years, I’ve seen first-hand the huge impact that parents on the sidelines can have on players from both a positive and negative point of view. “It’s no surprise that kids play better in a positive environment and our research has confirmed this impacts 90 per cent of players. “It’s crucial that we create an atmosphere where players are encouraged rather than abused, for their enjoyment of football as well as their mental health. I urge others to join me in making this pledge and showing their support for kids’ football.”
The Pledge is based on The FA’s RESPECT behavioural code of conduct which seeks to improve behavioural standards in football. Our Respect campaign was re-launched ahead of the 2018-19 season, having been originally launched in the 2008-09 season, with a new mantra of ‘We Only Do Positive’. As a result, we’ve seen positivity in grassroots football rise with 88 per cent of tracked U12-U18s matches being played in a positive environment, a two per cent increase from the previous season. The FA hope that the Pledge of Positivity will ensure that number continues to rise.

Creating the right environments for our players, both on and off the pitch is so important. Even though your role could be slightly different from someone else within your club or league, it’s important that we all play our part in creating a fun, safe and inclusive environment. The Respect codes of conduct are in place to ensure that everyone involved within an FA Charter Standard club or league is playing their part to give the players a positive experience.

Those were the words of England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, in his open letter to the nation in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has already claimed hundreds of lives across our country and many thousands more across the world.

We understand that, at times like these, football loses its relevance. However, we retain the everlasting belief that our game can offer people hope, entertainment and togetherness while also acting as a vehicle to promote wellbeing – both physical and mental – when many are isolated in their own homes.

That’s why we are today outlining our plan to inform, entertain and empower our millions of fans and followers under one, consistent banner: Football’s Staying Home .

The Football’s Staying Home campaign launches across England’s digital channels from today, Monday 30 March, as we bring together players of the past and present – as well as experts from our national football centre, St. George’s Park – to produce content that engages the nation at this difficult time. Kicking off the series are England captains Harry Kane and Steph Houghton, who've outlined what fans can expect from us to help them watch, play and learn in the coming weeks: The campaign will be supported across all of The FA's brands and channels including FA Education, whose staff will be sharing daily tips to keep you and your kids active, while The Boot Room will feature a range of insightful articles, guides and top tips from some of the most knowledgeable figures in the game. If all that wasn’t enough, we’ll also be broadcasting classic Emirates FA Cup and Barclays FA Women’s Super League matches back-to-back across our social channels and The FA Player every Sunday afternoon. We need you to get involved, too. We’re asking the whole football community – fans, players, parents, teams, leagues and County FAs – to get behind the campaign by creating their own content and using the #FootballsStayingHome hashtag. The best posts will feature in an online hub at TheFA.com/FootballsStayingHome .