Ministry of Football

1. Parent and player feedback

Since our first-ever programme in 2007, we have used online evaluation forms to capture the views of parents and players. We ask about their experience on the programme, what they liked and didn't like, and ask for any suggestions on how we can improve.

Here are some key facts from the 96 completed forms we have received back between Sept 2007 and April 2011:

93% of parents said that MoF is their child's favourite weekly activity or that is was better than most other children's activities (42% said best, 51% said better than most). 7% said it was about average, and no-one reported that it was not as good as others.

81% of parents said that MoF had helped improve their child's football skills 'A lot' or 'Massively'.

98% of parents rated the Coaches/Coaching at MoF as 'Good' or 'Very Good'.

Parent and player feedback has proved a very valuable source of information for us. We have made several improvements to the programme based on the feedback we have got. For example, after the summer of 2010 a handful of parents expressed a desire for outdoor training during the summer term. This was something we took on-board and included in the 2011 summer programme.

Click here to read testimonials from parents of MoF children.

2. Player improvements

If we achieve our goal of producing skilful, creative, confident players - then we should see success in the number of our players going on to play and learn at professional club academies. In the first two years of the programme, two Ministry of Football players signed for professional club Academies or Centres of Excellence. In addition to this, three boys and seven girls from professional club programmes came to train with us over the summer term in 2009 - a testimony to the quality of the football environment we provide and to the level of play and coaching at our sessions.

Case-studies

Pele Melville Rogers (born 1995). Pele first came to train at MoF in 2010, using the programme to provide an extra weekly session on top of his Sunday league team training and games. In April 2011, Pele successfully trialled at the International Football School of Barcelona, earning a two-year placement at the school. Pele's father said, "music football and your ways have helped him immensely to achieve this vital stepping stone and we both thank you for that".

3. Recognition

In March 2011, Ministry of Football was made a founding member of the National Children's Football Alliance.

The NCFA is an organisation working nationwide to protect and promote the rights of children in football. The aims of NCFA are: To get more boys and girls actively playing football; to secure for them the most enjoyable, developmental and child-centred football experience when they do play; to create playing environments and formats which allow children to reach their full potential in football; and to eliminate the factors which cause boys and girls to drop out of football.