We believe that children need more play-time than they currently get. Play-time can provide them with the physical activity they need to be healthy, and teach them life skills such as team-work and leadership. Play-time with a ball can provide children with the opportunity for creativity and self-expression that most don't get at school or in coach-centred sports sessions. Years ago, young footballers learnt their skills and understanding of the game in the adult-free environments of the playground, park or street. Ministry of Football re-creates this type of environment where children can play, experiment and develop in the direction they choose rather than the direction a coach or adult chooses for them.

In any creative sport, a player won’t become the best in the world by being afraid to try new things or by being restricted to doing only what others tell them. If Maradona or Ronaldinho - as a child - had learnt only what a coach thought was possible, they would never have become the world’s best. And the world would never have enjoyed their incredible creativity, freedom and talent. Ministry of Football believes in allowing players and children to set their own limits as to what is possible, therefore letting the learner surpass the teacher.