Grassroots soccer is a world wide movement that addresses the declining number of participants and skill level in the game today. Below are a few links that address the issue by people involved with the game at the highest levels.

• Andy Roxburgh talks about UEFA’s committment to Grassroots soccer.
• The Football Association recognizes the Grassroots soccer movement.
• The Republic of Ireland’s Grassroots plan includes Futsal.
• The Irish Football Associations Grassroots Plan.
• Mike Woittala, Executive Editor for Soccer America has written a number of articles about the Grassroots movement at youthsoccerfun.com.
• Paul Cooper has started the Give Us Back Our Game movement which is sweeping through the United Kingdom.
• The British Columbia Soccer Associations Grassroots Development Program.
• The Guardian say’s it all.
• US Soccer’s Best Practices takes our official position.

Grassroots programs all over the world share these characteristics:

• They are player centered. The players are important, not the coaches, clubs or parents. "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." George Patton. 
• They are inclusive. They do not involve tryouts, cuts or a selection process. Whoever is there, is there. "Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will." Jawaharal Nehru.
• They encourage freedom to experiment. If you learn something and have fun you never fail. "Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment." Rita Mae Brown.
• They allow children to use and develop their own imagination. Children are free to try out different roles. "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein.
• They allow children to use and develop their leadership skills. These players all learned how to lead through trial and error playing in the streets. "Football is best when it’s instinctive, when it comes from the heart. You talk about things after; in the game you just play." Barry Hulshoff.

Does the video below sound like your son’s or daughter’s game?

The BAC Festival’s are an effort to give the game back to the kids. The mixed-ages, constantly re-mixed teams offer the BAC children the best opportunity to enjoy the game at a variety of levels. They are the best example of what the above organizations recommend.

Visit the parents page for lot’s more information, studies and links to articles.