FA National Youth Council Application Form

2025/2026 Season

The FA National Youth Council (FANYC) are delighted to announce that we are now recruiting for the 2025-26 season.


Next season The FANYC will comprise 16 roles. We will continue to lead the FA Regional Youth Network (FARYN) to enable us to work with committed youth leaders to provide meaningful opportunities for young people in football and build the Youth Leadership Community. If you are new to Youth Leadership or looking to get more involved, you can consider applying for either FANYC or the FARYN (if you are unsuccessful for one it does not preclude you from applying for the other and of course, there is always the 2026/2027 season). We would also encourage you to take a look at the FA Youth Leadership & Volunteering Community here.


For the 2025/2026 season, we have 12 FANYC vacancies for highly skilled, motivated, and capable youth leaders between the ages of 16-24 (as of 1st August 2025) from across England to represent children and young people as well as help shape and develop football throughout the country.


Our Vision is to ensure - “All young people have meaningful and inclusive opportunities to develop themselves and positively influence the football community.”


The FANYC 2025/26 team will be aiming to inspire, empower and provide a voice for all children and young people to influence change, and develop a lasting legacy in football. The objectives developed by The FA National Youth Council are drawn from the FA Grassroots Strategy. These are:


•    Have an impact on increasing the number of opportunities children and young people have for participation and volunteering in football.

•    Helping to deliver equal opportunities for women and girls to play.

•    Provide a voice for children and young people in shaping FA policies.

•    Work together to grow the network of County FA Youth Councils and Youth Committees in clubs and leagues teams in all regions across the country.

•    Deliver specific projects that contribute towards The FA National Youth Council Vision.


Recognising diversity and promoting inclusion is a priority for The FA and The FANYC in our efforts to make football a game For All. We recognise that footballs workforce should represent wider society therefore we especially welcome applications from females, those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, from diverse faith groups and from the LGBTQ+ communities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender).


Successful candidates will be expected to attend all FANYC Meetings (whether they are in person or held online, we have the same standards and expectations) throughout the season. Although of course we know that at times there are unexpected situations which may make attendance not possible (to take account of this we set a minimum attendance level, as from our experience we have learnt that if this level is not met it adversely impacts the value gained from being part of the FANYC). However, it is crucial that applicants can make the first meeting, as this a key element of building a successful team for the season. If you know you are unable to make any of the dates below, please share this in your application. Meetings will be held at a range of locations across the country (accommodation is provided) and/or online via MS Teams. We do not know at this point the locations for all meetings.


  • 12th - 14th September 2025 (In person – Wembley Stadium)
  • 29th – 30th November 2025 (In person – Swindon)
  • 30th January – 1st February 2026 (Online – these will not be full days)
  • 27th – 29th March 2026 (In person – location TBC)
  • 8th-10th May 2026 (Online – these will not be full days)
  • 27th – 28th June 2026 (In person – location TBC)
  • 26th – 31st July 2026 FA Leadership Academy (In person – location TBC)


All roles with The FA National Youth Council are voluntary. However, out-of-pocket expenses will be covered with the prior approval of FA Staff.


Application Information Teams Calls

To ensure that you will get the most out of your time on the FANYC Team we would like to invite all applicants to an online Microsoft Teams call to further explain the vision and priorities for the FANYC over the coming season and provide more information on the roles available on the team. You will be able to ask any questions you have regarding the team on the call. Each call will be led by next season’s Senior Leadership Team at the following times:

-    Thursday 19th June: 18:30-19:45

-    Saturday 28th June: 16:15-17:00

-    Tuesday 8th July: 18:30-19:45

It is part of the application process to attend one of the calls on the above dates to ensure you are correctly informed of how you can make the most out of the opportunity to be on the FANYC team.

In order to sign up to one of the calls, please register below:


Thursday 19th June: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/09bff7bf-06ae-432d-ace4-668e153bf6b5@45c92590-ccc6-46f9-80ff-9fc8d9edde39

Saturday 28th June: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b8bc6dda-018f-4cc6-8492-d1ba350ab22e@45c92590-ccc6-46f9-80ff-9fc8d9edde39

Tuesday 8th July: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/50ae8711-de3f-461a-b4ae-899f39e3abf8@45c92590-ccc6-46f9-80ff-9fc8d9edde39


When you click on one of the links above, you will be taken to a page where you need to enter your name and email address to register for the call. You will then be sent a Teams link to the email address you have used to sign up for the call. If you have any issues with this please contact Joel Moore on the email address provided below.

If you are unable to attend any of the calls, or would like more information on applying for the FANYC Team, please contact either:

•    Joel Moore, FANYC Chairperson 2024/2025 on nationalyouthcouncil@thefa.com;

•    Selena Creighton (FANYC support staff) on Selena@selenacreighton.com; or

•    Ben Grady (Senior Development Manager, The FA) on Ben.Grady@thefa.com

 

Role Descriptions

 

ALL

  • Passion for developing yourself, others, and the football community.
  • Ambition to provide young people with meaningful opportunities within the game.
  • Desire to attend developmental opportunities outside of meetings and to represent The FA National Youth Council in local, national, and international events/projects.
  • Dedication to communicate effectively with The FA National Youth Council, FA staff, young people and external partners.
  • Motivation to perform within a team environment and independently, seeking support when needed.
  • Willingness to respond positively to feedback and learn from mistakes.
  • Commitment to prioritise quality time for the work of the FANYC.
  • Lead and inspire the Youth Leader Network and those working alongside this.
  • Commitment to personal and professional development – open to giving and receiving feedback, willing to try new approaches/activities and resilient in response to challenges/setbacks.


Senior Leadership Team - The Chair and Vice Chair roles have been filled for the 2024/2025 season.


Joel Moore – The FA National Youth Council Chairperson

To strategically lead The FA National Youth Council throughout the season, supporting the planning and delivery of meetings and projects, whilst managing the Vice-Chairs. Lead on representing the voice of children and young people on FA Council and other FA committees. Lead on working closely with FA/FANYC staff as the main contact of the FANYC. Lead on developing opportunities for Youth Leaders through various FA teams/departments, focusing on the FA Development Team. Lead consultee for the Euro 2028 Legacy.


Steph Heck - The FA National Youth Council Vice Chairperson, Learning and Development Lead

To operationally Lead The FA National Youth Council throughout the season, supporting the planning and delivery of meetings and projects. To manage and support the Leadership and Development Team.


Anoushka Williamson – The FA National Youth Council Vice Chairperson, Insight, Inclusion Communication Lead

To operationally Lead The FA National Youth Council throughout the season, supporting the planning and delivery of meetings and projects. To facilitate the delivery of the FA Youth Mentoring Programme (FA YMP), as well as monitoring the ongoing relationships. To manage and support the Insight, Inclusion and Communication Team.


Ethan Scott– The FA National Youth Council Vice Chairperson, Community Engagement Lead

To operationally Lead The FA National Youth Council throughout the season, supporting the planning and delivery of meetings and projects. To facilitate the delivery of the FA Youth Mentoring Programme (FA YMP), as well as monitoring the ongoing relationships. To manage and support the Community Engagement Team.


Roles vacant for 2025-2026 are listed below


Roles vacant for 2025-2026 are listed on the following pages. Please note all the key skills and experience may be ones you already possess or ones that you will develop in the role.


Learning and Development Team


FA Regional Youth Network Lead x 2

To plan and deliver the FA Regional Youth Network (FARYN) including leading meetings, liaising with invitations to meetings and presenting opportunities to the FARYN. To build the FARYN as a space to connect the Youth Leadership Network with regular consultation and showcases of projects in the Youth Leadership Network. To connect the FARYN to explore topical content in football to ensure the voices of Youth Leaders are accurately represented. To engage FARYN members in personal development, providing opportunities for members to connect.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Event planning; delivering against a vision; planning/organisation and time management; workshop design and delivery; motivating & inspiring others (young people and adults); communication with others remotely/online. It would be helpful if currently engaged in Youth Leadership and Volunteering in football.


FA Leadership Academy (FALA) Programme Lead x 1

To maintain regular contact with FALA25 participants, sending out and reviewing their FALA25 tasks, and providing support on an individual basis to help ensure the success of FALA25 participants. Support the learning and development of the participants, while liaising with FALA 25 Mentors and relevant colleagues/ partners to ensure the participants receive the support they need.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Event planning; delivering against a vision; planning/organisation and time management; workshop design and delivery; motivating & inspiring others (young people and adults); communication with others remotely/online. It would be helpful if currently engaged in Youth Leadership and Volunteering in football.


FALA Wembley Stadium Foundation Fund Lead x 1

With support from the Vice-Chair, to manage the distribution of the Wembley Stadium Foundation Fund to FALA participants and graduates. To liaise with the Wembley Stadium Foundation Fund providing updates on the distribution, and measuring the impact, of the fund. Support FALA participants and graduates in applying for funds, and through their FALA experience, to develop their FALA project. To work across the team to ensure County FAs are aware of the FALA Participants and Graduates in their region.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Event planning; managing a budget; delivering against a vision; planning/organisation and time management; motivating & inspiring others (young people and adults); communication with others remotely/online; building relationships with others. It would be helpful if currently engaged in Youth Leadership and Volunteering in football.


Community Engagement Team


Regional Leads North, South, East, West x 4

To work collectively with the 3 other regional leads to support the creation and development of Youth Leadership opportunities for young people. To support County FA (CFA) Youth Councils ensuring each of the 50 County FA’s have effective youth voice & representation through a variety of communication methods (e.g. email, 1-2-1). Further supporting CFAs to engage with FALA Participants to aid young people in completing their projects. Utilise the CFA Youth Council Maturity Matrix to help create a national network of active young people engaged in youth leadership. Support the development of new youth leadership activities/teams in CFA's & Partner organisations. To collaborate across the FANYC Team to showcase opportunities for Youth Leaders through the FARYN, Social Media and the YLVC.


Pre-Requisites:

•    Live or study in the region you apply to represent

•    Have an existing knowledge of how CFAs operate and/or experience in Youth Councils (or equivalent) or be a current or previous member of FARYN.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Understanding of County FAs; knowledge of County FA Youth Councils and/or club/league youth councils (or equivalent) and/or FA Regional Youth Network. Building and maintaining relationships

with adults and young people; organisation and time management; communication with others remotely/online. It would be helpful if currently engaged in Youth Leadership and Volunteering in football in the region you apply to represent i.e. North, East,

South, or West (of England).


National Lead: Clubs x 1

To support Clubs across England in developing youth leadership activities. To engage young people and Youth Leaders to help create a national network of active Youth Leaders engaged in volunteering. To support the development of new youth leadership activities/teams, highlighting opportunities for youth leaders to volunteer in clubs.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Understanding of County FAs; knowledge of County FA Youth Councils and/or club/league Youth Councils (or equivalent) and/or FA Regional Youth Network. Building and maintaining relationships with adults and young people; organisation and time management; communication with others remotely/online.


Insight, Inclusion, Communications Team


Research & Insight Lead x 1

To lead on providing relevant research and insight to inform the priorities of the FANYC, and drive action in line with the FANYC Vision. Gather and analyse data from a variety of sources. Create and present reports on key FANYC projects/programmes following collaboration with FANYC team members to monitor and evaluate projects throughout the season. To lead on the logistical creation of online application processes and surveys. To collate reports in collaboration with the FANYC team on all public-facing content.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Creation of tools to gather feedback, statistics, and impact reports; delivery of key findings from data; apply findings to relevant projects; monitoring and evaluating projects; creation of online surveys, forms, and applications; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; organisation and time management; communication with others remotely/online.


Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead x 1

To deliver and evolve a social action plan in line with FA National Youth Council’s vision, aims and objectives. To lead on listening, understanding, and investigating new ideas from the FANYC and other young people. To ensure new project developments by the FANYC address and react to current situations or issues in football through the power of Youth Leadership. To collaborate with the FANYC on any new and upcoming projects. To maintain relationships with relevant partners and FA staff (EDI Team) to ensure alignment and collaboration to the benefit of young people/youth leaders.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Building and maintaining relationships; listening to all voices and ideas; evaluating new ideas; online and technological awareness; problem solving, research and ability to provide factual evidence to support positions/debates; reacting to world situations and awareness of topical issues.


Social Media, Marketing & Communications Lead x 1

To lead on driving the continued increase in visibility of the FANYC on all social media platforms and the Youth Leadership & Volunteering Community (YLVC). This includes producing consistent, high-quality social media content, staying up to date with current topics of conversation and overseeing the YLVC platform delivering regular content and posting opportunities and updates. To deliver a social media and communication plan for the season. Work alongside the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead to create social media content for EDI occasions. To lead on celebrating Youth Leaders on the FANYC social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram and TikTok). To share and make visible opportunities to get involved in volunteering and Youth Leadership. Partner and collaborate with FA staff and consultants.

Key skills and experience that will help to deliver successfully in this role. (Having some of these will be helpful, but you will also develop these in this role):

Content design and brand awareness; good awareness of/experience across social media platforms; understanding and engagement with current topics; creative and innovative; technological awareness and ability to create promotional materials; understanding of FA National Youth Council ‘brand voice’; ability to deliver ‘youth-led’ content; organisation and time management; communication with others remotely/online.


Please indicate the position you wish to apply for (1st choice) as well as two reserve positions (2nd & 3rd choices) in the table below (Please note the Chair and Vice-Chair roles are not available). We cannot guarantee you will be offered the role of your choice. As a result you may be offered a place on the FANYC, but the role may not be either your 1st or 2nd choice. In this situation the role will be discussed with you and of course you may decide not to take up the offer on that basis, but we hope that wouldn’t be the case.

 

Personal Details

This form must be completed with the details of the applicant who will be fulfilling the role

 
 
 
dd/mm/yyyy
 
 
 
 
 
 

e.g. a University Hall

 
 
 
 

(Only select if it applies to you or is different from your home address).

 

Social Media

 

If you do not have one, please type 'N/A'

 

If you do not have one, please type 'N/A'

 

If you do not have one, please type 'N/A'

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Role Choices

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Personal Statement in Support of Application


Please see the next section for personal statement questions. In this next section you will answer 6 questions about why you want to be part of the FANYC team, your skills, experiences etc., each question ranges from between 250 - 300 words so please take your time to complete to the best of your ability.


If you choose to use AI tools to complete your application, please take the time to edit and personalise your application and ensure that the language used reflects your personality and values. It is key that we are able to understand what you will bring to the team and your reasons for getting involved not a version of these created by AI.


AI is a tool it is not a replacement for your thoughts, views and ideas – your ability to share all of these will be key to being successful as part of the FANYC as you not AI will be representing the voices of children and young people to shape the game, so it is For All.


 

Max 300 words

 
 

Max 300 words

 
 

Max 300 words

 
 

Max 300 words

 
 

Max 300 words

 
 

Behaviours

Please rank the following behaviours as to how strong you feel you are in each of them (1 being the strongest behaviour).


Each of these behaviours has a corresponding Compass Workbook that are extremely useful resources designed to support the growth and development of those within the football workforce.


They can be accessed on the Youth, Volunteering Community on the England Football Community website here.


(Ranking the behaviours below from 1-8). We would recommend you review these before completing this part of your application.

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Please rank the below from 1-8


(Please don't use the same number twice)

 

Additional Documentation

 
Drop your files here
 

I confirm that I have uploaded the documents described below:

 

A video - up to 2 mins long to bring to life your role/impact in your football community currently/this season - this can include input from others. This video will only be used to support your application to be part of FANYC and will only be shared with those involved in making this decision. Please make sure you have the permission of those in the video to record them and to share the video with others.


Please save the video as follows:

“Your full name and then FANYCtestimonial2025”

 

This reference should be from a professional who has overseen your development and/or supports you within your volunteer position. The reference should be no more than 300 words long.


Please ensure this is provided on headed paper and includes the name, title and contact details of the person providing the reference.


Please save the reference as follows:

“Your full name and then FANYCreference2025”

 

Summary


Summary of Application Requirements


  • Completed application form.
  • 1 x Supporting Testimonial video (Saved as “Your full name and then FANYCtestimonial2025).
  • 1 x Supporting Reference (Saved as “Your full name and then FANYCreference2025).
  • Completion of Equality Monitoring form (see top of form)
  • Attendance at one of the online Teams Calls giving further information on the FANYC.


Summary of Key Dates


  • Deadline for application: Friday 18th July 2025 by midday
  • Confirmation of receipt of your application will be sent by Tuesday 22nd July 2025 – if you do not receive this, please get in touch at Selena@selenacreighton.com
  • The outcome of applications will be communicated by: Monday 11th August
  • Please note that late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.


Thank you for taking the time to apply to be part of the FANYC and supporting Youth Leadership.


Please keep up to date with all of our social media accounts (@TheFA_NYC on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok). You can also join us on the England Football Youth Leadership and Volunteering online community, where you can interact with other young people/youth leaders: https://community.thefa.com/youth-leadership-volunteering