Mumbai City FC is just one of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) franchises that takes pride in their grassroots programme. Based on a model of first coaching the coaches and then introducing football to children between the ages of 6 and 12, their grassroots team was kicked into action along with the senior team. The club has already conducted 14 grassroots festivals reaching out to about 3000 children with an overall target of 50 festivals. They will also conduct 15 workshops training 375 coaches, having already conducted seven and training 179 coaches.The Mumbai-based club, started with the workshop meant for the coaches with a two day programme. Coaches were invited from various organisations such as schools, academies and NGOs. The workshops were designed on FIFA’s grassroots philosophy, and they aimed to put across the importance of football at that level. They taught them the significance of small-sided games and few technical drills which prepared the participants to take part in a festival organised by Mumbai City’s grassroots team. At the end of the workshop, the participants were awarded a certificate.As Mumbai’s grassroots team gained more experience, their festivals evolved but the basic concept was the same. The aim is to get maximum number of children to play football. Beginning with technical skills, ball possession games and then moving to small-sided games, the festivals are conducted by the Club’s grassroots officers. These officers are also responsible for arranging the ground where the festival is held and for bringing the participants to the festivals.Through these festivals, Mumbai have been able to reach children and places where football has never been played. One such example is their 13th festival held on a municipal ground in Mahul village located in Chembur. This area is mainly populated by fishermen, and football had never been played on this ground before. The club took their programme there, and touched the entire community, children and parents included and have planned four more festivals in an all-girls school. During these festivals, the aim will be to reach 750 girls. Besides the training, the team also plan on distributing equipment to certain organisations.To enable establishment of their grassroots program, the grassroots team is tying up with various organisations that will help enhance their reach. Two such organisations are the Brinhanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA). With the help of these two, they will be able to reach most schools in the city.Even during season one of the ISL, Mumbai City FC’s grassroots team was responsible for arranging the ball boys and escorts that helped on match days. The team also helped in getting children from underprivileged backgrounds to the stadium to watch the games. Their next step is to open five Centres of Excellence in various parts of Mumbai. Children who have been identified during the festivals will be enrolled in to these centres, where Mumbai City’s own grassroots coaches will train them.One of their officers, Durva, is now the vice-captain of the girls’ football team of Mumbai and will take part in the Inter-District tournament.The grassroots team involved itself in various other one-off events. A major one was ‘Play for Palace’, organised in conjunction with English Premier League club Crystal Palace, where scouting sessions were held to shortlist a handful of children. They were later put on a day trial by the English club during the Barclays Live Fan Park event held in Mumbai on 13th and 14th December 2014. One lucky and talented boy was then chosen to visit the Crystal Palace academy in London to undergo training with their coaches along with their academy players. The team has been involved in other sporting activities as well. One such event was the annual sports day of Lions Municipal Sports Complex held on 26th January 2015.Click here to view photos.
