New 3v3 equipment is helping Hernhill Herons embrace the future of grassroots football.
Grassroots football is evolving, and thanks to support from the Cleve Hill Community Fund, Hernhill Herons is ready to give its youngest players the very best start in the game.
A £864 grant has enabled the club to purchase specialist 3v3 goalposts, ensuring it can fully embrace The Football Association’s new FutureFit framework. Designed to reshape youth football in England, the programme introduces smaller-sided games for Under-7s, creating more opportunities for children to touch the ball, make decisions, build confidence and develop their skills in a fun, age-appropriate environment. 
Hernhill Herons is part of the Dawes Community Association, a long-established charity that has been supporting the residents of Hernhill and the surrounding area since 1905. Alongside its grassroots football club, the association provides a range of recreational and community facilities, including a pre-school, sports clubs, an online village forum and a multi-use games area. Today, Hernhill Herons fields 15 youth teams for more than 200 children, making it one of the village’s most valued community organisations.
The introduction of FutureFit represents one of the most significant changes to grassroots football in recent years. From the 2026/27 season, Under-7 football will move from a 5v5 format to 3v3, allowing children to spend more time actively involved in play rather than waiting for the ball. The smaller format encourages greater participation, quicker decision-making and improved technical development while making the game more accessible to players of all abilities.
To deliver the new format, clubs are required to provide smaller pitches and purpose-built 3v3 goalposts. The grant enabled Hernhill Herons to purchase the new goals needed for the youngest teams while also investing in additional freestanding 9v9 goals to make better use of the club’s existing facilities. This means the club can adapt its playing fields to accommodate more matches and training sessions without placing additional financial pressure on the organisation or the families it supports.
Around 250 children are expected to benefit from the new equipment each year. Beyond club members, the goals will also be available for use by Hernhill Primary School and other local community groups free of charge, extending the value of the investment well beyond football itself.
Hernhill Herons has become an important part of village life. The club plays a leading role in community fundraising events, works closely with the local school, church and parish council, and is supported by volunteers and local landowners who help make matchdays possible. Its values of Respect, Positivity, Teamwork and Commitment underpin everything the club does, helping young people develop not only as footballers but also as confident, respectful members of the community.
Mark Woodcock, Chair of Hernhill Herons FC, said:
“Thanks to the grant from the Cleve Hill Community Fund, we have been able to purchase brand-new 3v3 goalposts so that our grassroots football club can fully engage in The FA’s FutureFit programme. This investment means our youngest players can develop in the best possible environment, with more opportunities to get involved, build confidence and enjoy the game.”
The project also brings environmental benefits. By making better use of the club’s existing playing fields, the new format reduces the need to hire facilities in neighbouring towns, helping to minimise travel while keeping affordable, high-quality football at the heart of the local community.
For Hernhill Herons, the new goals represent far more than new equipment. They are an investment in the future of grassroots football, ensuring hundreds of local children can continue to learn, play and thrive in an environment designed to help every player reach their potential.
