Hampshire FA has become the award-winning County FA for Partnerships at the County FA Recognition Awards 2022.
 
The Awards, which were hosted at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, recognise and endorse the best projects, products and services delivered by County FAs over the past season while sharing best practice and learnings from around the country.
 
A record-breaking 235 submissions were entered from the 50 County FAs operating across England, highlighting continuous improvements and showcasing how they are innovating to improve football and increase participation across all levels of the game.
 
The eleven categories recognised at the awards were:
 
• Brand Engagement
• Coach Development
• Digital Engagement
• Employee Engagement
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Football Development
• Insight & Data
• Partnership
• Special recognition
• Women & Girls
• Youth Engagement
 
Hampshire FA was the proud recipient of The FA’s County FA Recognition Awards for 2022-23 after scooping the Partnership award for the Hampshire FA Academy delivered in conjunction with SCL Education. The Academy programme offers school leavers aged 16-19, the chance to combine full-time education with a fully funded football coaching and games programme to enrich their experience. Academy students are provided with the opportunity to see a variety of career paths in the football industry, increasing their options beyond the programme. The Academy which started with just 2 teams, now has 4 teams including a female team for the very first time which demonstrates its continued growth and success.
 
Neil Cassar, Hampshire FA CEO said
“We are naturally delighted to have been awarded the County FA Recognition Award for Partnerships by The FA for our academy programme.  We have worked hard to establish and offer a unique programme to support the development and education of young people within the football industry.  We record our thanks to those that have contributed to this success including our education partners SCL and our commercial partners for the programme (Ulitmateinstability, Blaze Pod, Graham Scambler Photography & Videography, VEO, Topodium Group and Savvvy Accountancy Solutions. It would be remiss of me not to record thanks to our talented and committed workforce who continue to work hard to provide opportunities for young people.”
 
James Kendall, FA Director of Football Development said
“It gives us great pleasure to recognise and reward our County FAs and I want to thank each and every one of them for the vital work they deliver across their local communities, ensuring we continue to develop, promote and protect the game so it can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, background or ability.
I’d like to congratulate Hampshire FA in winning the Partnership award, and all of the other County FAs for their dedication and achievements over the past two seasons.”
 
Find out more about the Academy programme, including the two new open evenings scheduled for this November and December, here.