Hi to the Millions of members of the Football Family. With twenty plus years of dedication to Grassroots Football, I've seen the annual rise of cancelled games locally and nationally, its always a regular topic on social media Grassroots football groups cauding heated debates. The current system has games scheduled in January and February which is taking a toll on our teams  due to increasingly wet weather with pitches unfit to use. These conditions lead to numerous game cancellations, added pressure and stress on Volunteer Coaches, Parents, players, Club grounds people and local Councils.

I am therefore proposing that the Football Association (FA) alter the schedule to include a winter break in January and February, and extend the season until the end of May and beyond if necessary. 

According to research by The Guardian, game cancellations can cause heightened stress levels among both players and coaches. I also found an article on BBC Newsround 6.12.2024  that states - 

"Climate change, caused by global warming, means more frequent and intense extreme weather such as heavy rainfall says BBC Weather.
Manchester FA explains: ​"Because of the climate crisis, our winters are becoming wetter and wetter, meaning pitches are holding a lot more water and not having the chance to drain properly, leaving a lot of pitches unplayable."

"The Football Association (FA) - which runs football in England - says around 100,000 grassroots football matches are cancelled each year due to ‘poor pitches’, such as those caused by bad weather.
The FA says waterlogged pitches cause an increase in match cancellations."

The Met Office also published an article highlighting the problem https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate/getclimateready/football

Let's come together as the Grassroots Community of Parents and Children with number benefiting in the millions and raise this with the Guardians of the Game to bring about change.. Lets build a healthier and more constructive playing environment for our children and volunteers. Sign our petition today and urge the FA to review the way our Children play not only technically but environmentally and make it a better experience to keep more children off screens and out in the fresh air when the weather is better and we can all continue falling in love with the Beautiful game. Please share to local and national Grassroots Formats. Together Everyone Achieves More