AI for Grassroots Football: Save Time, Reduce Errors, Coach Better

The Future of Grassroots Football

Artificial Intelligence ( AI) represents a revolutionary tool for grassroots football, helping coaches and clubs work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re managing a team, organizing events, or brainstorming new strategies, AI has the potential to elevate your game while giving you more time to do what you love – coach.

Want to be part of this transformation? Fill out One of our surveys below and secure your free guide to unlock the power of AI in grassroots football

In reality, Artificial Intelligence ( AI) has been a part of our daily lives for quite some time. Whether through search engines, predictive text, or sat-nav systems, when AI works seamlessly, we often just call it “engineering.”

But how can AI specifically help you in grassroots football?

AI in Grassroots Football: A Game-Changer

At Sports Path , we’ve been researching how AI is being applied to grassroots football worldwide. In 2025, we will release a free guide titled “How AI Can Support Grassroots Football” to share our findings.

From our research, most respondents highlight these core benefits of using AI:

• Saves time: Automates repetitive tasks, giving you more time to focus on coaching.

• Cost-effective: AI tools are often free or affordable, reducing operational costs.

• Error reduction: Streamlines processes, minimizing mistakes.

• Boosts creativity: Assists with brainstorming and research.

To receive a free copy of the guide, complete one of these quick surveys:

• How you are currently using AI here

• The One Task you would AI to help you with here

Why You Don’t Need Special Skills to Use AI

Contrary to common misconceptions, you don’t need advanced skills to use AI. If you can type questions into Google, you can use tools like ChatGPT – and both are free!

In fact, players and parents in your club are likely already using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, or specialized apps like Coach Frank  

Australian coaching expert Wayne Goldsmith adds:

“AI is coming fast into your world – it’s the greatest benefit to coaches we’ve ever seen. Imagine creating workouts, practice plans, and programs in seconds instead of hours. It frees you to focus on what matters most: coaching!”

Real-Life Applications of AI in Grassroots Football

Here’s how AI is already transforming grassroots football around the world:

1. Research: Tools like Arena  help find jobs in sports.

2. Brainstorming: Apps like Sports Sparks  enhance creativity for sessions.

3. Planning: Anjal Ammandan in India developed FEN2  using AI for tournament organization

4. Administration: Alvaro Phan in Long Island, New York, uses ChatGPT to manage player data for Score FC 

5. Management: Predictive analytics and training programs, like those run by Project 94 in the USA.

6. Promotion: James Styles in the UK uses AI to grow his coaching business Connection  and refine promotional messages

7. Translation: ChatGPT offers faster, more reliable translations than traditional apps.

8. Communication: Sam Siew in Malaysia leverages Napkin.ai to turn text into visuals for his app Courtside 

9. Evaluation: James Dobbin integrates AI into assessments for time-efficient evaluations for his company Clevernation  in Australia

10. Talent Identification: Tools like AIScout  (used by Premier League and MLS clubs) identify promising players at the grassroots level.

11. Education: Platforms like Coach Frank (New Zealand) and UProSoccer.ca (Canada) use AI for home learning and training apps. See a ' Cheat Sheet' below on how you may use AI to support Education !

PS : I wrote this blog as a first draft and asked ChatGPT to improve it !