FA unveil new England badge symbolising progression and greater inclusivity

A new England badge has been unveiled as the FA look to rebrand English football in a bid to promote progression and greater inclusivity at all levels of the game.

The new badge shows a lion, lioness and cub uniting with the aim of representing the fact everyone can be involved in football and there are no boundaries in the game, though the badge on the England kit will remain as the traditional Three Lions crest.

The initiative includes a number of other aspects as the FA look to get people back playing football following the COVID-19 outbreak.

A new digital tool called Find Football has been released which allows players and parents to easily find opportunities to play football, while a rewards programme called My England Football has also been unveiled which will reward volunteers and passionate fans with unique prizes.

The rewards on offer include being offered the chance to play at Wembley, meeting the England players and watching them train, and even becoming a mascot for an England game.

The FA released a statement on the newly designed England Football website, explaining the need for the initiative and just what it entailed.

"Today sees the launch of England Football as the new name and visual identity to represent, unite, and promote football participation in England," the statement read.

"England Football aims to create more chances for people to play, coach and support football and better connect the grassroots game with England’s national teams.

"Alongside this new website, the launch also includes the introduction of two more new and exciting platforms for football fans and participants across the country."

Chief executive of the FA Mark Bullingham provided a brief statement in which he outlined the need to encourage people to participate in sport.

“This is a significant change as we unite all our grassroots initiatives and programmes under one banner," the statement read.

"England Football will harness the unique ability of the England teams to inspire future generations and positively impact participation at all levels of the game. Kids want to be the next Steph Houghton, Harry Kane, Nikita Parris or Raheem Sterling.

“As well as inspiring future generations, England Football’s digital tools will help us to create more opportunities to play, coach and support the game, nationwide. We want football to be for all and to play a major role in getting the country active following the impact of COVID 19 - England Football will help achieve that.”