Mars Just Play everything you need to know

Mars Just Play ‘everything you need to know’ Presented by Oliver Selfe BUCS Football Development Manager Cai Robbins BUCS Football Development Co-ordinator

Workshop Plan • Introduce Mars Just Play concept. • Draw on your knowledge & experience. • Explain the criteria and how you can apply. • Explore how ‘Just Play’ may work and look in your university. • Share an example of good practice. • Allow you time to action plan.

What do you know about Mars Just Play? Just Play FATV. mp 4

What is Just Play! • • Partnership between FA and Mars launched June 2011. Aims to halt decline in adult 11 v 11 football. 150, 000 new adults into football by Sept 2013. 100 new Mars Just Play centre's. 1 st Level on the Football Pathway (Entry Level). Provide flexible, structured football in a safe environment. Peter Crouch and Theo Walcott ‘Just Play’ ambassadors. ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.

Why is Just Play needed ? • a) b) c) • • Decline in adult 11 v 11 football due to. . Facilities Player apathy Inflexible options Meet the demands of a changing society. Research shows people want to play. ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.

What does it involve? • • Mars Just Play is what ever you want it to be!!! The ‘Just Play’ license free!!! Must meet the needs to the target audience. Understanding of the local community with clear exit routes. Weekly football session. FA Level 1 qualified coach. Must have relevant policies in place. Must be financially sustainable. ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.

What resources are available? • • 2 packages available. Dedicated website. Use of Mars Just Play logo. Free equipment. Free marketing material. A Mars Just Play organisers pack. Free session templates and examples of practices. ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.

The Just Player Process? • Player see TV advert. Marketing • Player spots poster in university. Register • Player registers for local centre online. • Player turns up at session and completes form. • Player involved in various games. • Player input into the session plan. Attend • Player interested in moving onto 11 v 11 or 5 v 5 intra mural or club football Progress • Player happy to ‘Just Play’ and supports the delivery of the sessions • Player progresses to signposted opportunities Outcome • Player develops and delivers their own Just Play Centre

WIIFM? • • • Engage your students More opportunities at a level to suit players needs Increase student satisfaction Identify new talent Recruit and deploy volunteers Track attendance figures to support KPI’s ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.

Group Task Groups of 3 – 4 discuss how Mars Just Play may work at your university. Consider the following. . . 1. How would you structure your ‘Just Play’ session? 2. Which students would you target? 3. What challenges may you face? 3. How would you best market the programme? ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.

Success Stories

What next? How do I sign up? • Decide a lead officer ‘Just Play Co-ordinator’ • Decide where and when you want to play • Apply online via www. bucs. org. uk • Begin to warm up the market ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.

Consolidation!! Write down three actions you would like to take back to your university to help you deliver your ‘Just Play’ programme. ‘Its Jumpers for Goal Posts, playing with friends down the park and having fun like football used to be’.