Hampshire Football Association has been successfully shortlisted for the Brand Engagement; Employee Wellbeing & Engagement; and Referee Development awards at the 2023 County FA Recognition Awards.

The Awards, which will be announced at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Thursday 23 November 2023, 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 242 submissions have been entered from the 50 County FAs operating across England, highlighting continuous improvements, and showcasing how they are innovating to improve grassroots football and increase participation across all levels of the game. 

The twelve categories which will be recognised at the awards were: 

• Brand Engagement
• Coach Development
• Employee Wellbeing & Engagement
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Facility Development
• Football Development
• Partnership
• Positive Football Environment
• Referee Development
• Special recognition
• Women & Girls
• Youth Engagement


Hampshire FA has made the final shortlist for three key projects in three categories.

Brand Engagement category for its work alongside Topodium Group, to increase the awareness of the Hampshire FA Academy – our very own full-time education programme for 16-18 olds.

Employee Wellbeing & Engagement category for the Hampshire FA Culture Review – a process which enabled us to provide an enhanced, safe and enjoyable environment for our staff so that we can give the best possible service to members. 

Referee Development category for our Club Match Official Workshops – a series of workshops designed to support our local Leagues and Clubs, and parents who act as either a referee or an assistant referee in accordance with League Rules. These workshops give support and guidance those who take on the role of match official or an assistant referee in grassroots football.


Hampshire FA CEO, Neil Cassar said: "I’m incredibly proud of the team for this great recognition. I know everybody has worked hard over the last season, and to have three of our projects shortlisted for a 2023 County FA Recognition Award is a great achievement. Our submissions this year were even stronger than in previous seasons, so I would like to thank The FA for the recognition of our efforts in the grassroots game.”

The FA’s Head of Operations for Grassroots Football, Tim Foster added: “I’d like to congratulate Hampshire FA in making the final shortlist for the Brand Engagement; Employee Wellbeing & Engagement; and Referee Development awards and all of the other shortlisted County FAs in what has been a record-breaking number of submissions this year. 

It has been fantastic to see such a strong selection of programmes and projects entered across the twelve categories, and we look forward to hosting our County FAs at Wembley Stadium in November to thank them for all they do in serving our national game.”

For more information on the work of County FAs, visit: https://www.englandfootball.com/explore/county-football-associations