Learning to coach grassroots football is one thing. Learning to manage everything else is a new ball game altogether.
Luckily, we’ve got the playbook.
WE'LL ANSWER THE QUESTIONS YOU CAN’T.
How do I deal with the parent on the sidelines?
How do I get sponsors for a junior team?
What should I do for an AGM?
How do I manage parents on the side line?
Where do I look for funding for our club?
How do I get more parents on matchdays?
WHAT WE DO
We help make grassroots football happier, safer and easier to manage.
Club & League Support
Hands-on support tailored to your club or league. 1-to-1 development guidance and helping committees put simple processes in place to manage difficult behaviours. The aim is to reduce stress, protect volunteers, and make administrative operations feel clearer and less stressful.
Resources & Toolkits
From onboarding plans and matchday best practice guides to welcome packs and behaviour management templates. Ready to use digital resources designed for your volunteers. Practical tools that save time, improve communication, and set clearer expectations across your club or league.
WHAT WE DO
Resources & Toolkits
Club & League Support
ONLINE/IN-PERSON
Training & Workshops
We help make grassroots football happier, safer and easier to manage.
Delivery of engaging training designed for real grassroots challenges. From conflict management, to managing poor practice or coach inductions, every workshop gives coaches tools they can use immediately to create more positive environments.
Hands-on support tailored to your club or league. 1-to-1 development guidance and helping committees put simple processes in place to manage difficult behaviours. The aim is to reduce stress, protect volunteers, and make administrative operations feel clearer and less stressful.
From onboarding plans and matchday best practice guides to welcome packs and behaviour management templates. Ready to use digital resources designed for your volunteers. Practical tools that save time, improve communication, and set clearer expectations across your club or league.
Built on 20+ years inside the game
With over 20 years of experience in grassroots, I know first hand that grassroots isn’t always happy. It’s scrappy and at times discouraging for volunteers who give up their evenings and weekends to make football happen.
On pitch support is limited, and structured off pitch training is almost non-existent.
I founded Happy Grassroots to change that.
My mission is simple: give coaches, parents, and clubs the confidence, tools, and training they need to create a positive matchday culture. Where volunteers feel supported, young people thrive, and the love of the game comes first.
MARCUS STRUDWICK
[FOUNDER, HAPPY GRASSROOTS]
CLUB CHAIRMAN
QUALIFIED REFEREE
CIPD ACCREDITED TRAINER
RETIRED
GOALKEEPER
SUFFERING
BRADFORD CITY FAN
Marcus supported how our league was able to support clubs and officials in managing behaviour and matchday culture. His online sessions helped us set clearer expectations, improve communication with coaches, and create an environment where coaches and officials feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
GRAHAM CHAMBERS, CAWJL SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
I was new to coaching, but Marcus helped unlock confidence in parts of the role I was most apprehensive with — managing expectations of parents, handling conflict on matchdays, and building relationships with parents as I’d always seen if a coach didn’t get this right it would get in the way of coaching the kids. His onboarding was relaxed, informative and supportive.
Jack Summers, Idle FC U16 Coach
Working with Marcus was a breath of fresh air compared to the previous club i had been involved with. He understands what volunteers actually face, the time pressures, the tricky conversations, the emotional load and provides genuinely practical tools that make the role easier.
Andy Brown, Independent Coach
As a new coach at U7, Marcus’ online webinar around managing poor practice helped me with some new tactics i can use before, during and after games to ensure that any poor practices can be dealt with quickly and with minimal disruption to the most important reason why i signed up to volunteer as a coach, developing kids to play football.
Joe U7 Coach
His Learning & Development background really shows. He tailors his support so it’s accessible, realistic, and built around everyday challenges. He’s one of the main reasons I'm still volunteering even after 40 years of being involved in the game.
Rob Brook, Club Secretary
Having known Marcus for over 10 years, i know the passion he has for grassroots football and offering that experience to anyone that’s looking for that help is a valuable resource in supporting with any football struggles you might be having, the list of people he’s helped over the years he could write a book!
Claire Armstrong, Ilkley Womens Head Coach
GET IN TOUCH
Whether you're a coach, parent, club or league, I'm here to help. Get in touch to start the conversation.
Thanks for submitting your message.
I'll get back to you soon!
