The Surrey County Football Association’s (SCFA) Strategy Update Conference took place on 15 October 2010, hosted by former footballer turned pundit Tony Gale.

Halfway through SCFA’s four-year strategy, which is part of The FA National Game Strategy, the conference celebrated their achievements in grass roots football and their plans heading towards 2012.

Representatives from Chelsea FC, the Metropolitan Police, the FA, and Michael Varah Memorial Fund presented to an audience made up of partners from local authorities, schools, football clubs and officers who work in sport.

Caroline McRoyall, county development manager of Surrey County FA, explained: "The purpose of the conference was to highlight the vast range of projects we have been involved in and to outline how local partners can get involved to help us achieve our targets for 2012."

Rob Seale, Football & Development Officer for the Chelsea FC disability programme outlined the opportunities now available to young people and adults in Surrey with disabilities. Chelsea FC have community teams at Under 12, Under 16, and adult level, focusing on people’s level of ability rather than disability.

In just two years, the number of teams participating in the Surrey Football For All League has increased from 4 to 25.

Sgt. Peter Baggs from the Kingston Borough Metropolitan Police Team spoke about engaging with young people through the Safer Neighbourhood Team using football as a tool for engagement, creating a safer community whilst reducing crime levels and anti-social behaviour.

Police officers were trained by Surrey County FA as Level 1 coaches and then organised coaching festivals in October 2009 and April 2010 for 100 young people.

Presentations were also delivered by Sally Varah, Founder of the Michael Varah Memorial Fund, who have funded the development of a homeless football team in Leatherhead, and Ben Bartlett, FA Regional Coach Development Manager on the FA Skills Programme, which has recently been launched in Surrey.

By 2012, SCFA aims to increase the number of Charter Standard Clubs recruit 240 new referees, gain £12m investment towards new facilities, continue to promote the Respect campaign and work with clubs/leagues to minimise drop off in football participation between 16-19 year olds.

The SCFA Conference 2010 was organised by the SCFA in partnership with Active Surrey.

If you would like to find out more about the projects presented at the conference or about SCFA and their strategy, please visit http://www.surreyfa.com/AboutUs/Strategy or contact Caroline McRoyall (County Development Manager) via Caroline.McRoyall@surreyfa.com or 01372 373543.