The centres are Southampton and Portsmouth, with the aim of offering more grassroots football opportunities for the community. 

Hampshire FA has teamed up with national small-sided football stakeholder, GOALS, to support a series of projects designed to sustain and develop the grassroots game in Hampshire. Both Hampshire FA and Goals are committed to increasing participation in women’s football, veterans’ football, and walking football as well as throwing their support behind the recruitment of referees in the county. This will be achieved by delivering a variety of programmes and initiatives at GOALS centres in Portsmouth and Southampton, introducing and supporting pathways designed to achieve these very outcomes.

Hampshire FA is already delivering refugee football sessions at the Southampton Goals centre but there are a series of projects in the pipeline being discussed with both GOALS’ Clubs in Hampshire.

"Although we are a national stakeholder in football, we have decided to affiliate with county FA’s rather than the FA. We are also working with the FA on other projects. As a business, we feel that due to the changes in the landscape of small-sided football and the demands of the modern game, now is the perfect time to work closely with local stakeholders to grow the game as part of the new FA strategy for 2024-2028. For many, we know that grassroots football starts in the small-sided realm, and we believe that GOALS can have a huge and positive impact on the game in all its forms that will deliver positive and measurable outcomes for all.” Martin Cassidy, National Football Development Officer at GOALS.

“We are pleased that GOALS will be affiliating their small-sided provision with Hampshire FA. We look forward to working with Martin and the team and developing the relationship over the coming year. There is no doubt that this will offer many exciting opportunities for both of our respective organisations.” Neil Cassar, Hampshire FA CEO.