Play Safe is a countrywide campaign that focuses on the vital importance of safeguarding in the national game. Led by The Football Association, the Play Safe campaign is endorsed by the NSPCC and will be supported this weekend across every level of English football, including the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, and across the grassroots game.

This season, The FA and Hampshire FA is asking EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE to tell us what they are planning to do to make a difference over the Play Safe weekend and to share this via an online Play Safe Pledge.

“Creating safe environments in every football setting is a collective responsibility. It’s important that every single person in football – no matter if they’re actively involved or on the sidelines – understands that they have an ongoing role to play. Knowing how to act on any concerns is vital and Play Safe is a keyway to raise awareness so that everyone is vigilant and knows what to do if they become aware of any inappropriate behaviour.” The FA’s Survivor Support and Safeguarding Advisory Group (FASSSAG).

In support of the campaign, Hampshire FA has teamed up with our partners at Vesey (Vesey is better known for operating the UK’s largest football teamwear retailer discountfootballkits.com) to create a ‘design your kit’ competition to enhance the awareness of the Play Safe weekend and the importance of safeguarding for all.

The competition welcomes children in the following age groups: 5-7 years, 8-11 years, 12-15 years, 16-18 years, to design their own kit using the templates provided by our partners (see attached). Designs should focus on the importance of safeguarding, what a safe and fun environment looks like through the eyes of a child, allowing them the creative freedom to design exactly what “Play Safe” means to them – captured in the design of a kit.

The competition will run from Friday 1^st of September through to Sunday 17^th of September, closing at 5pm. All entries will be judged by a panel made up of Hampshire FA representatives, Trustees from the Hampshire FA Foundation and additionally, our sponsors of the competition, Vesey, selecting one winner from each age group above. The winner of each age group will see their winning design brought to life as the kit they have designed and presented with their prize, courtesy of our sponsors at Vesey. As an added incentive and to encourage more entries, the winner’s team/class/group will also be presented with an overall team prize thanks to the Hampshire FA Foundation who have agreed to support with team incentives.

Details on how to submit your designs can be found on the entry form (see below and download). For more information about Play Safe or the above competition, please contact: Safeguarding@HampshireFA.com.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Download and complete entry form

2. Download template and produce design

3. Send the entry form and completed design to: Safeguarding@HampshireFA.com or by post: 

Safeguarding Department
Stoneham Lane Football Complex
Stoneham Lane
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO16 2PA