Clocks go back in under a month, the pitches are properly soft, and most of us are somewhere between week six and week eight of the season. Here is what was worth your time this week.
What went up on Trac
Last Friday's piece was how to run a parents' meeting. On Saturday I wrote up how Trac itself got built, for the coaches who keep asking who is behind it. Later this morning a piece on picking a captain goes live. Whatever you do, do not let it be a vote the kids can see.
The FA's 2025-26 behaviour and discipline report is out
On 1 October the FA published its Grassroots Behaviour and Discipline Report covering last season. I have only seen the headline so far, not the full document, so I won't quote numbers I haven't read. If you run a club or sit on a league committee, it is worth a proper read, because it is the nearest thing to an honest picture of what happens on touchlines across the country. If you coach, the bit to take away is simple: set expectations with parents before the first whistle, not after the first row.
A midpoint check on the grassroots strategy
On 28 September the FA put out a progress update on its 2024-28 Grassroots Strategy, called A Thriving Grassroots Game. Strategy documents rarely change what happens at 10am on a Sunday, but they do decide where funding and pitch investment go, so it is worth knowing what has been promised. Have a skim before your next league or club meeting, and hold people to it.
FA Cup fixture finder
There is also a map on the FA site to help you find local third round qualifying ties in the 2026-27 Emirates FA Cup. If your club is in it, tell the parents. Cup days do wonders for a squad.
One for the diary
Clocks go back on Sunday 25 October. If your training runs past 5pm, sort the light situation this month, not on the first pitch-black Tuesday.
That's the lot for this week. If there's something you want covered, or you want a hand with the site, drop me a line through contact.