Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur, April 13: Jamshedpur FC has been awarded the prestigious Best Grassroots Program Award by the Indian Super League (ISL), in recognition of the club’s sustained efforts to build a strong foundation for football through well-structured and inclusive grassroots initiatives. The recognition comes as a validation of Jamshedpur FC’s systematic approach to nurturing young talent, investing in coach education, and involving the community as an integral part of football development.

At the core of Jamshedpur FC’s grassroots operations are its Football Schools, currently active in the prominent schools of Jamshedpur. These schools have enrolled over 350 children across U5, U7, U9, U11, and U13 categories, introducing them to football through a curriculum focused on skill development, enjoyment, and regular playing time. In addition to these urban centers, Jamshedpur FC, in collaboration with Tata Steel Foundation, has extended its grassroots efforts to rural Jharkhand. The club has provided technical support and coaches' education, including capacity-building workshops aimed at improving grassroots coaching standards in underdeveloped regions through Tata Steel Foundation.

Chanakya Chaudhary, Chairman, Jamshedpur FC, expressed pride in the achievement: "This award reflects years of planning, investment, and execution. Our team has worked relentlessly to ensure that every child—regardless of gender, background, or ability—has access to football and its values. We thank ISL for recognizing this effort and will continue striving to make Jamshedpur a national model for grassroots football."

One of the key components of this grassroots ecosystem is the Jamshedpur Super League, now in its third edition. As India’s longest-running AIFF Blue Cubs League, it has emerged as a reliable platform for sustained grassroots competition. The current season features 70 teams, 628 boys and girls, and a total of 475 matches scheduled over 17 weeks. Matches are played at both the JRD Tata Sports Complex and the Tinplate Sports Complex, with players receiving between 165 to 600 minutes of game time, depending on age group. The league structure ensures that participation is prioritized alongside skill enhancement and tactical awareness.

Building on the belief that football can unite families and communities, Jamshedpur FC also introduced a unique Father’s and Mother’s Division within the Jamshedpur Super League. This 10-week league, hosted at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Archery Ground, includes 48 parents representing different grassroots centers across Jamshedpur. Six teams participate in this recreational-yet-competitive setup, where parents experience the sport from their children's perspective. This initiative has successfully encouraged family engagement in sport, strengthening the support system around young players and promoting a football culture in the city.

In the 2024-25 season , another significant achievement came in the form of the nation's longest baby league, Jamshedpur Golden Baby League which concluded its 10-month-long season with a grand finale on January 7, 2024, at the TFA Ground. Starting on February 26, 2023, the league saw participation from 108 teams and 971 children, who played over 11,928 minutes and scored 1,525 goals. All the football school played a crucial role in ensuring the success and reach of this baby league.

Jamshedpur FC has produced 40 D-License and grassroots coaches, all hailing from Jamshedpur. This emphasizes the club's effort to create more mentors for grassroots kids, shaping the future of football in Jharkhand. With regular courses for coaches, Jamshedpur FC understands the importance of developing coaches who can nurture young talent.

The Indian Super League’s acknowledgment reinforces the importance of grassroots football in India’s sporting future. For Jamshedpur FC, it is both an honor and a responsibility, one that the club is ready to carry forward with even more dedication in the years to come.