English Colleges Football Association
They are the governing body for Further Education Football Programmes. This talent
development programme offers development in football attributes around the UK. Has the
highest set of college leagues in the UK. ECFA is the national governing body of college
football in the UK. It works on four aspects that shape up their football development:
● Participation - ECFA wants to inspire more people to play football more often by
promoting, supporting and appropriate playing opportunities for all.
● Competitions - They promote and deliver a range of high quality football competitions
for students.
● Workforce - They provide students with a world leading Further Education Youth
leadership and educational training programme.
● Community - ECFA works with member colleges and partners to develop football
within local communities.
They have 5 categories of competition:
● Category One - National Elite League - men’s and women’s 11v11
● Category Two - Regional Performance Leagues - men’s and women’s 11v11
● Category Three - Regional Participation Leagues - men’s 11v11 and women’s flexi-
football
● Category Four - Sub regional recreational leagues and festivals - men’s, women’s &
disability small sided football
● Category Five - Intramural recreational leagues - men’s, women’s & disability
From this we can highlight that ECFA is a hardworking governing body that believes in what
they’re doing and that it can have many positive impacts on everyone that is involved. It is
determined to make a difference and develop students in combining their education with
football.
Task 2 - Talent Development Programme
Aim
● Develop the chosen footballer to earn a professional contract
● Improve his abilities and qualities to prepare him for competing in professional
football
This will be done through intense training sessions with UEFA A licensed coaches. These
sessions will focus on specific attributes that the player will have to improve in order to get
himself a football contract. They will include psychological factors, physiological factors,
technical factors and tactical factors. They are all important factors that will determine his
ability and the difference between an average and a good player.
Purpose
● Sign him for the best club he realistically can play for
● Earn himself a guaranteed contract that he can make a living from
● Fit him into a team that he will feel right at