2023 FA Para Football England Talent Days

FA England Talent Days are utilised as a player's first engagement with the Para Football Pathway and as the first selective environment in the player pathway.
The programme will identify and signpost players to the 'right' environment at that point in time and seeks to feed the subsequent Regional and National levels of the pathway. The Para Football player pathway runs ALONG SIDE any football that players already participate in, so does not compromise or replace any current involvement in the game.

ETDs run on a yearly basis to ensure that players can be re-assessed and kept in the Talent System.
ETDs will not be viewed as player development environments.
The England Talent Day will be underpinned with the formation of local Para Football Recruitment Networks responsible for driving player identification and recruitment.

The impairment groups included in England Talent Day activities are:
- Players who are deaf
- Players who have cerebral palsy (and are ambulant)
- Players who are partially sighted

EVENT DETAILS:

• All events run 10.30am until 1.30pm
• Age Range: 7 - 16yrs old
• Players should come dressed ready to play football (including appropriate clothing, footwear and shin pads)
• Surfaces, venues & weather(!) may vary, so please come prepared to be adaptable to both indoor (sportshall) and outdoor (3G or grass)
• Please bring suitable hydration (no fizzy drinks!) as you may be playing for up to 2 hours
• Signposting to further Para Football Pathway opportunities for players will take place AFTER the event. No communication regarding this will be done on the day apart from to perhaps highlight local playing opportunities available to all.

• NB: Eligibility criteria for the Para Football is set internationally and evidence of this will be required prior to a player's engagement at Regional or National level.​
  

• Please be prepared to produce and share this medical evidence of the qualifying condition, should you be asked to do so either at your chosen ETD or via communications after the event.

Please Note: Players who are already engaged in the FA Para Football Pathway (IE: those currently at a Talent Hub or in the Regional or National Talent Programme) DO NOT need to attend an England Talent Day!

The FA also run pathways and squads in Blind Football and Powerchair Football, soon to be joined by Amputee Football. For more information on these pathways and squads, please visit:
https://www.englandfootball.com/england/para
https://www.thefa.com/get-involved/player/disability/performance-pathway

Enquiries can also be directed to Liam Drake - Para Talent Inclusion Lead - liam.drake@thefa.com