Last week The Journal published the first in a series of articles exploring the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s public consultation on the survival of community sport. The DCMS Committee wants to identify specific actions the Government can take to guarantee the future survival of the community sports sector.

Local sports enthusiast, Dave Wilkinson, who has been closely involved in football since the 1960s, has shared with The Journal the submission he made to the DCMS Committee, based on his experience of dealing with the Football Association. This week, we consider at what level of sport should the Government consider spending public money?

Dave writes: “Public money should be focussed on where it can deliver the greatest good. It should not be spent on propping up ailing entertainment businesses. To this end, the focus for public money to be spent on football should be directed at local co-operatives, centred on schools, where young players and aspiring coaches could receive the training and development they need, independent from the questionable professional Academy system.

“How fit for purpose the Academy system is within football is a matter for another debate, but it is clear that the system is focussed on developing talent for the short-term financial gain of the host Club. How the Academy system effectively delivers pastoral care to young aspiring players, particularly those who do not make the professional grade, is a serious area for examination.

“Using schools to develop community networks, involving Football Clubs at all levels of the pyramid, reinforces the link between football and society, as well as benefiting from the safeguarding framework that already exists in the education sector.

“There should also be a focus on the development of coaches, as well as players, as the best practice approaches developed for aspiring teachers are equally applicable to coaches.

“The reality of youth coaching in football often places an emphasis on parents stepping up to key leadership roles. Whilst enthusiasm is important, a focus on effective pedagogy, may be lacking. Coaching is teaching by a different name and players and coaches would benefit from sharing expertise in both areas.

“There is also a case to be made for the American ‘Collegiate’ model of funding, where University facilities and expertise can be utilised, potentially as part of the local co-operative model. Such an approach would relieve pressure on public finances to support the development of the game.”