Here at the Kent FA, we understand the importance of governance in ensuring a positive game for all Kent residents. Through robust and effective governance, we help shape and support the administration of clubs and leagues and influence the development of players, coaches, match officials, and volunteers and the overall culture of the game.

Through corporate governance, we can fulfil our mission to Safeguard, Govern, Protect and Develop football across Kent.

The Kent FA altered its governance structure in July 2024 following extensive consultation over a two-year period with the game in Kent. The aim was to future-proof the organisation and ensure that its Council body was reflective of the demographics currently participating in and administering the game within the County. 

The Kent FA Board of Directors are now the ultimate decision-making body, with three sub-committees (Audit, Risk and Remuneration; Equality Advisory Group and Nominations Committee) feeding into the Board. The Board composition is one-third elected from Kent FA Council and two-thirds independent. 

The Kent FA Council and Youth Council become consultative bodies, with Kent FA Council representation being from all Kent FA-sanctioned leagues, representatives from various levels of the National League System, representatives from different tiers of the women’s football pyramid, Kent Schools FA, higher education, the Kent FA Youth Council, Kent FA registered referees and players actively participating in football across Kent. This inclusive membership structure allows all affiliated football to be represented, making everyone feel a part of the larger Kent football community. 

All Kent FA Council members will now be on a term limit of three x three years, serving a maximum of nine years on Kent FA Council, effective from July 2024. 

Seven Football Delivery Working Groups support the key strategic areas of the male pathway, female pathway, disability pathway, referees, competitions, facilities, and investment. The seven working groups are linked to the Kent FA Strategy Play-Protect-Promote, making them more relatable to the key performance indicators set by the FA. The working groups will ensure that the Kent FA reflects the needs of the football community in Kent and will support the executive staff in delivering against the key performance indicators and secondary measures that have been agreed with the FA. 

These groups are not restricted to Kent FA Council membership, with all groups having membership from people directly involved with the game in Kent.  As the strategy progresses, there will be opportunities to expand the number of working groups to ensure that the Kent FA is reactive to changes in the needs of Kent Football.