We’re seeking partner organisations to help us create new FA Mars Just Play Centres across Northamptonshire.

An FA Mars Just Play Centre is an organised, fun and affordable kickabout for adults (aged 16+).

We have the opportunity to support a number of individuals and/or organisations to start new adult recreational football or futsal sessions across the county.

We want to hear your own ideas, but some example sessions we could support include:

• A grassroots football club who want to offer a social kickabout for its parents and coaches
• A football club wanting to offer a futsal training session
• A group of colleagues who want to organise a weekly kickabout after work
• Leisure Centres looking to offer football/futsal sessions for its customers
• Organisations wanting to start up a walking football session
• A parents kickabout alongside their children’s training session
• A community group who want to offer football sessions for their residents

FA research has shown that FA Mars Just Play Centres are most successful when directed towards a specific group, so we’re especially keen to hear from organisations with a clearly defined target market – e.g. older age youth, young adults, club coaches, 50+, health-themed, futsal or work colleagues.

The first step is to get in touch with us and discuss your idea. We will work together to get your new session off to a great start with a funding grant, new equipment, marketing materials and FA/CFA support.

Stuart Smith, NFA Football Development Officer, who leads on the Mars Just Play scheme for Northamptonshire, said: “The FA Mars Just Play programme enables us to support a range of formats of football / futsal to help get adults back into the game. An FA Mars Just Play Centre will provide high quality football / futsal in an organised, fun, informal way at a day and time that suits them. I’m keen to work with any organisation who shares this vision.”

For an informal, no obligation discussion about the FA Mars Just Play programme, please get in touch with Stuart Smith, Football Development Officer, on 01604 678409 or email stuart.smith@northantsfa.com