Football for Everyone: Lessons from Mark Hayes
Football is more than a game. It is a tool for learning and inclusion. In many countries, young players dream of playing professionally abroad, but the journey is often challenging and requires guidance and proper opportunities. Grassroots football, international exposure, and inclusive programs are essential for developing talent and creating sustainable pathways in the sport.
Mark Hayes, who has spent nearly 20 years in grassroots football in England and now serves as Sporting Director and Global Lead at SMS Pro Soccer, has dedicated his career to building football from the ground up. Through his work with men’s, women’s, youth, and disability football, as well as international tours and tournaments, Hayes emphasizes creating real pathways, supporting talent, and promoting inclusion.
Reflecting on his journey, Hayes explains that grassroots football offers lessons that professional football often overlooks. “Within grassroots the club structures are much smaller and therefore you have a hand in literally everything,” he says. Because of this, individual contributions are more visible and more valued.
He compares this with professional clubs, where large structures can sometimes hide the work done behind the scenes. “At the professional clubs with so many behind the scenes people’s contributions are possibly lost,” Hayes notes. He recalls stories about Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, showing how he knew every employee by name and treated them all as equally important. “Never forget to praise,” Hayes adds, underlining that appreciation plays a much bigger role at grassroots level.
Hayes says the vision behind SMS Pro Soccer has not changed since the beginning. “The original vision is the same from the start. To have ex professionals help players from all over the world with their pathways,” he explains. While players from countries such as the United States and Australia often pay for tours, SMS Pro Soccer also aims to support those who cannot afford such opportunities. “The world is a massive place but much smaller when you work together with one vision,” Hayes says.
Inclusion, according to Hayes, is central to football and society. “Inclusion is so important, not just in football, but within society,” he states. He believes football should be accessible regardless of sex, religion, or ability. He describes the football itself as a powerful symbol: “For a small simple bag of air, a football has a magic. It can give you hope, cheer, health.” For Hayes, ensuring access to the game for everyone remains essential.
Hayes is clear about the challenges facing young players who dream of playing professionally abroad. “It’s not easy. Only a very small fraction make it into the professional game,” he says. Despite this reality, he encourages persistence while stressing caution. “Make sure you do it through reputable people or organizations,” Hayes advises. He also emphasizes honesty in the process: “We can promise nothing. We can only offer and help direct.” According to him, tours can still be valuable experiences, especially when combined with cultural exposure and guidance from former professionals.
Operating in countries such as the UK, Spain, Holland, and China, SMS Pro Soccer exposes players to different cultures. “Culture in each country is completely different,” Hayes explains. Experiencing these differences helps players develop respect and understanding beyond football. He also points out that football offers opportunities beyond playing. “There is very good employment and career opportunities in the game,” he says.
Hayes strongly believes in the value of learning from those who have played at the highest level. “I think it’s so important to learn from those whom have been and done it. That experience is priceless,” he says. He expresses concern that modern football education relies too heavily on technology. “Too much these days the game is taught from a computer,” he notes, adding that real-life experience—both good remains a key source of learning.
Describing his visit to Ethiopia, Hayes says, “It was an incredible experience.” He was impressed by the number of children playing and enjoying the sport. “The enthusiasm children playing and loving the sport is very special,” he says. At the same time, he observed that the country is rebuilding its football foundations. “It feels like a country starting again from the basics,” Hayes explains. While Ethiopia has a strong football history, he believes the current stage presents an opportunity for structured development.
Hayes stresses that women’s football has been neglected for too long. “In far too many sports women have been left behind,” he says. Although the women’s game has improved rapidly, he notes that countries such as the USA and England are still far ahead of many African nations.
He challenges negative perceptions of women playing football, calling them “wrong.” Speaking about the She Wins project in Ethiopia, Hayes says he was proud to be involved, highlighting the large number of participants and the long-term impact such initiatives can have.
Reflecting on collaborations with the British Embassy, Football for Humanity, and the Emmerson Boyce Foundation, Hayes emphasizes leadership. “Where there is good leaders then others will follow,” he says. He believes the involvement of former professionals is especially important for inspiring long-term development rather than short-term outcomes.
Hayes describes football as a universal language. “No matter the language spoken, football is that global language that brings people together,” he says. Through his visit to Ethiopia, he found himself addressing outdated perceptions of the country. “Ethiopia is much more than what overseas media only wants to show you,” Hayes says, expressing pride in helping present a more accurate picture.
After meetings with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Hayes explains that the first visit to Ethiopia was largely an assessment. “We came in partly blind and not knowing what to expect,” he says. While some aspects were impressive, others highlighted the need for basic football education. “That’s what excites me,” Hayes adds, pointing to the opportunity to make a real difference. Hayes repeatedly returns to the importance of honesty. “Honesty is what centers and grounds us,” he says. He contrasts his approach with others who, in his view, “just take, take, take.”
He emphasizes that SMS Pro Soccer focuses on guidance rather than guarantees. “We are about creating pathways, not selling dreams,” he explains. A Message to Ethiopian Football Stakeholders In closing, Hayes offers a simple message to Ethiopian players, coaches, and administrators: “Let’s do it together. ”We can learn so much from each other and make a difference,” he says, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in building the future of football.
