Mete Coban MBE

Along with my dissertation, this is probably one of the toughest documents I’ve written/co-written. Thankfully, we have some excellent people at STAR who are extremely helpful and contributed. We hope this document, which suggests potential improvements to the Football Governance Bill, can be used to enhance the current FGB:

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Quick update on the ‘fan consultation’ issue - per the FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL. Should consultation conform to the Gunning Principles?DCMS says No. I say Yes. Whether the Courts will enforce them may be a more open question … but, seriously, what is the case for palming football supporters off with a less rigorous, watered-down version of consultation?  The clubs would have little to fear. Some guidance and a little training would help them meet the Principles (Cue for me to me to mention that in January we will hold a Seminar to explain what’s required …) #consultation #consultationguru #footballregulationbill #fanengagement #fanconsultation #thinkfanengagement #DCMS https://lnkd.in/e2gzcG4W

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The restructure of the #Netball Super League in a bid to commercialise and professionalise the top tier of the sport has led to collaborations, higher capacity and increased player wages. It has also led to high-profile teams being cut, fewer player opportunities and a number of financial risks. I unpack the pros and cons for The Conversation UK #sportsbiz #finance #sport University of Portsmouth, Business and Law

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A few thoughts on why EDI should be within the remit of an Independent Football Regulator from my evidence session at yesterday’s Public Bill Committee examining the Football Governance Bill 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

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A recent surge in England’s football success is about to inspire future generations, as the UK government commits to strengthening grassroots football facilities. Recognizing the efforts of those who keep the sport alive, this initiative aims to support young football stars and ensure every child has access to quality sports education in schools. #communityfootballclubs #Englandfootballsuccess #footballfacilities #footballinfrastructureUK #GovernmentSportsFunding #GrassrootsSportsInvestment #physicaleducationinschools #schoolsportsfunding #sportseducationUK #thxnews

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Here we go again, headlines around Sport in schools….. but not quite getting the point. Yes PE can be massively improved, and yes providing opportunities to take part in team activities and compete has value way beyond the medals. But the core focus has to be creating the conditions within the day for children to be moving regularly, with PE and sport playing a role within that. https://lnkd.in/euSvXTsK

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As you may have read in the press, Reading Football Club has reluctantly withdrawn from the Barclays Women’s Championship for the 2024-25 season, with the Women’s First Team now moving to Tier 5 of the Women’s Football Pyramid.    This came as a huge disappointment for all connected with the Club.    Whilst the Club recognises and encourages the huge rise in popularity and commercialisation of the Women’s game, it unfortunately does not have the required finances to increase investment into Reading FC Women.    The decision clearly impacts our community, gender equality and the Club’s heritage. Also, the progress of local women’s football.   Reading has been amongst the elite of the Women’s game for many years. Competing admirably alongside the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United in previous seasons despite being one of the only clubs outside of the Premier League.    Furthermore, we are proud of the role Reading FC Women has played in nurturing and developing the grassroots game, providing role models for young girls aspiring to become professional footballers and a pathway for those future stars to achieve a professional career within football.   This solution, however, does provide the Club with the opportunity to continue to operate a Women’s Football department, but this does require investment from parents and local businesses.   We are now evaluating the option to move the Under 14 and Under 16 Girls Academy to operate under Reading FC Community Trust with a similar structure and coaching team.    We want to ensure we continue our support for the girls who continue to demonstrate passion and commitment to football and have been selected by Reading FC to continue their football journey.   If you are a local business to Reading Football Club would you have budget to be able to support the Girls Academy for the 2024/25 season?   An investment of just £10,000 will ensure this becomes a viable option and not only will you be able to promote your support of a local community initiative but women’s football in general.   We would be happy to discuss what branding and sponsorship options you would require for your organisation.

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Remember crusty old football coaches saying “if they are good enough they are old enough” ( to play in the first team ) Very interesting that a critical factor identified in this Scottish report is that early exposure to senior football – most specifically in the 16-18 age range – seems to be a key pattern in those players who go on to achieve an elite level career. - Notably, this experience does not have to be in a top division and does not necessarily have to be a “successful” loan in terms of regular playing time. - However, it highlights the need to move players in the 16-18 age range from age-category football and into senior football as early as possible. Applied in Sydney this means NPL18s perhaps being loaned out to NPL2/3 clubs to get more exposure to senior first team football I think that works as there is little evidence of this occurring at U20s nor 1sts at NPL1 level Don’t get me started on private academies as a pathway.

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More insightful work from one Europe's leading sport and social value researchers Professor Larissa Davies. Valuable data for use at all levels of sport to tell the story of why it pays to invest in community sport and leisure activity - the benefits are significant and the losses to all parts of communities if we reduce spend are huge. Stats on what society as a whole gains if more investment is directed towards removing barriers to regular activity for those inactive, are mind-blowing. 2-min video👇

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UK general election: key pledges for the sport and physical activity sector 📝 With polling day fast approaching, we have delved into the main political party's manifestos and listed the key points that relate to the sport and physical activity sector, and our workforce: https://loom.ly/Bebvnwo

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I really like the way Sport England have looked to make the data from this round of the #ActiveLivesSurvey more engaging and accessible. Well done to the team behind making this happen. 👏🏼 The headline stats present a positive picture, in that as a nation we are continuing to recover to, or surpass pre-pandemic levels. But even that statement, pre-pandemic, feels dated now. What adds further energy and dedication to the the types of work we are undertaking at Move Consulting are those stubborn inequalities that exist for particular audiences. Activity can be for all. We are here to help organisations make it easier for people to move more often. Could we help you with a project you are working on? Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eSZ7cc9Y #PhysicalActivity #SystemChange #PhysicalActivity4HealthPathways #Health #ActiveLives #LongTermHealthConditions

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Interesting article from Deloitte on the impact of elite sport in delivering local economic benefits and social growth in the UK in key areas of: 1. Global brand profile 2. Infrastructure investment 3. Regenerating communities 4. Education, jobs and skills 5. Health and Wellbeing

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'The launch of the Centre for Young Lives #RaisingTheNation Play Commission' - Paul Lindley OBE ⤵️ We launch our Commission in the middle of an election campaign and with huge political decisions ahead, first for voters and then for a new Parliament. As those decisions are made, the future of our children must be at the centre of the debate. Politicians should ask how our children can thrive: how they can feel significant, be confident, have life affirming childhoods and become the people that they each have the potential to be. Because thriving childhoods reflect thriving societies, and as play is central to thriving childhoods, it should be central to political decision-making. The way children explore, experiment and build an understanding of the world really matters. That is why, we have created the Raising the Nation Play Commission: to stimulate a conversation, gather evidence, demand barriers to play are broken down and to offer a framework for government to create an environment, facilities, time and a culture for children to do their work – and play. We will deliver our findings, and a plan for the Government to consider, on 11 June 2025 – the second International Day of Play.  As we begin our journey, we invite your contributions, ideas, energy and support! #Play #FreePlay #PlaySufficiency #PhysicalActivity #PhysicalLiteracy #Recreation #ActiveTravel #PlayStreet #StreetPlay #HomeZones #Playces #Splace #FreerangeUrbanNeighbourhoods #FUN #KnowBallGames #Parks #Playgrounds #UNCRC #Article31

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✅️ Sporting projects like this are proven to reduce crime and build community cohesion. 🙏 Let's create more opportunities together! 💪 If you are passionate about making a difference in your community, please feel free to drop me a message and we can discuss ideas 💡

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⚽️ “Follow that lemming!” A detailed and worrying report on the parlous financial state of men’s football in England. If these numbers were reported for the banking industry, construction, retail etc, I suspect we’d be seeing urgent Govt intervention to prevent systemic failure. It is SO important that the women’s football game learns some quick lessons from all this and finds its own sustainable path, rather than copy & pasting the warped economics of the existing football madhouse. Perhaps the most pressing area to look at and regulate in the women’s game is the market distortion caused by the top WSL teams receiving big handouts from their men’s PL clubs. The levels of subsidy cannot be matched by the vast majority of women’s teams, creating a breakaway group of outliers, undermining competition. But crucially, the handouts themselves create a reliance on the men’s club who can (and historically have) suddenly turn off the tap.

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As we witness the exciting rise of women’s football, it’s crucial that the infrastructure keeps pace with this surge. This is the key point made in this article by Kelly Simmons OBE, who highlights the importance of investing in facilities designed for women and girls, ensuring access to safe changing rooms, and giving priority access to playing times. While there is significant exciting progress, but there’s still much more to be done!

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Updated section in Working Together .... Sports clubs/organisations 316. There are many sports clubs and organisations, including voluntary and private sector providers that deliver a wide range of sporting activities to children. Some of these will be community amateur sports clubs, some will be charities. All should have the arrangements described in this chapter in place and should collaborate to work effectively with the safeguarding partners as required by any local safeguarding arrangements. Paid and volunteer staff need to be aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, how they should respond to child protection concerns and how to make a referral to local authority children’s social care or the police if necessary. 188 The Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018 317. All National Governing Bodies of Sport that receive funding from either Sport England or UK Sport should aim to meet the Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport.

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Plus ça change... 🤷‍♂️ The latest Active Lives Children and Young People Survey is a disappointing read. Children's activity levels have barely changed in the last 5 years. Are we as a sector fighting hard against a tide pushing more children into inactivity or just not doing the right and different things well enough? Covid was more than 3 years ago now and activity levels bounced back almost straight away so whilst there will be lingering effects this is not the cause. Schools are under-resourced and battling multiple, and for them more pressing, priorities. Inequalities remain because more affluent families and communities have accessible opportunities for their children. What is the vision and solutions to create more opportunities for the most disadvantaged and least active in our society? #MeetMovePlay anyone?

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