LRCFA Launches Mental Health Friendly Clubs Programme
Leicestershire & Rutland County FA is delighted to announce that in partnership with Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Local Authorities, we are launching a pilot programme to support grassroots football clubs in providing a safe and inclusive environment for adult males experiencing mental health problems or challenges.
This new project will recognise five local grassroots clubs as Mental Health Friendly Clubs. These clubs will receive free mental health first aid and suicide prevention training, enabling them to support their communities by using the power of football to unite and help individuals on their journey to improved mental health.
As part of the pilot, we are opening an application window for grassroots clubs to apply to join the programme. These clubs will facilitate regular football and social sessions for people in their communities. We are particularly seeking clubs with a large male presence, whether this includes male parents or carers of youth teams, coaches, or club supporters.
What does it mean to be a Mental Health Friendly Club?
By applying to become a Mental Health Friendly Club, members of your club committee, club welfare officer, and a designated coach will receive suicide prevention and mental health first aid training to support the delivery of an FA Just Play football programme aimed at male players. The training will equip you to recognise symptoms of poor mental health and provide resources to help signpost players to the support they need. Weekly football sessions will create a space for men in similar situations to come together, unwind, and destress without judgement, supported by their peers.
What’s required to apply to be a Mental Health Friendly Club?
Successful clubs will be required to:
- Commit to having main club committee members complete a 20-minute online module on suicide prevention.
- Ensure the Club Welfare Officer and one Lead Coach complete a 4-hour Mental Health First Aid course.
- Deliver weekly or bi-weekly football sessions and record attendance on Book Football. These sessions must be delivered by a coach with a minimum EE Playmaker qualification and the FA Introduction to First Aid in Football.
- Be open-minded and inclusive in supporting your football community.
By participating in the programme, your club will receive:
- Free mental health training for all club members, if they wish to complete it.
- Funding to support the development of weekly football sessions.
- Free Nike footballs and equipment.
- A variety of resources to support club members experiencing mental health challenges.
- Ongoing support from the County FA and the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Mental Health Friendly Spaces team.
- Recognition as a club that values the mental health of its members.
Interested in applying to be part of the pilot?
If you are interested in applying to be part of the Mental Health Friendly Clubs Programme, please complete the application form via the link below by Friday, 18th October.
During this pilot phase, we are only able to approve five clubs for participation, and we cannot guarantee your application will be successful. If the pilot proves successful, we will reopen applications for the 2025/26 season.
Leicestershire & Rutland County FA would like to thank Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Councils, Active Together, and Turning Point for their support in delivering this project.
If you have any questions, please contact our Football Development Lead via email.
