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The Greater Game is a purpose-led programme which uses the power of football to improve the health & wellbeing of young people across the nation, inspiring them to make at least one healthier action per week.

Research conducted by The FA found that nearly a third (31%) of young people do not feel the need to exercise and over half (52%) have suffered from a mental health issue in the past year.*

That’s why we created The Greater Game, which is aimed at 12-16s and those associated with this age group (parents, guardians, coaches, teachers, local communities and so on). This is a long-term mission, and we believe that using the power and scale of football, in addition to working with existing and new partners, we can make real change.

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When you’re young, staying physically and mentally healthy is easier said than done. Using the power of football, we want to create a movement which inspires the next generation to lead healthier, happier lives. Taking one small healthier action per week, we can make lasting change.

GET INVOLVED IN THE GREATER GAME

OUR MISSION

The Greater Game exists at a time when less than half of 10-16-year-olds in the UK regularly exercise for an hour a day and 1 in 5 children leave primary school classified as obese. This could be for many reasons, but we believe that a combination of unhelpful social norms and the modern-day environment make it challenging for young people to lead healthier, happier lives.
 
These factors make having good mental and physical health harder than it should be – which has a knock-on impact on the overall happiness, self-confidence, healthy living and achieving full potential (at school and beyond).

01 Jan 2024 5:04

Find out how The Greater Game has made a difference to AFC Barwell


The Greater Game is vitally important to young players playing the beautiful game. Hear from the players, coaches and volunteers at AFC Barwell on the importance of our new initiative.

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*Research conducted by the FA with 1800 nationally representative 12-16-year-olds.

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