Worcestershire Football Association has been successfully shortlisted for the Special Recognition Award at the County FA Recognition Awards 2024 for TWO projects:

1. Back in Play Employability
2. Connexions Café

The Awards, which will be announced at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Thursday 7 November 2024, 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.

Over 225 nominations have been entered from the 50 County FAs operating across England, highlighting exceptional delivery 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 are: 

• 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

Worcestershire FA has made the final shortlist for the Special Recognition Award for TWO projects.

1. Back in Play Employability

This project focused on recruiting young people out of work and/or living with a disability to attend a programme of events over a 10 week period. Each session aimed to upskill learners through employability and coaching workshops, combined with practical football activity. The project aimed to remove any barriers to getting into football coaching, with learners signposted into local grassroots clubs and supported to complete the FA Introduction to Coaching Football qualification. In turn, this enhanced their CV when applying for full time work and we look forward to seeing their progress.

2. Connexions Café

Worcestershire FA is proud to run a Connexions Café for clients with dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss as well as their carers and support networks. Taking place on Mondays and Fridays at our County Sports Ground headquarters (WR3 7SS), the café aims to provide a social environment with a range of fun and informal activities by using the power of football to enhance quality of life. Further information on the Connexions Café can be found by clicking here.

Ollie Williams, Chief Operating Officer at Worcestershire FA said: 

“I am pleased to see our team of staff and volunteers recognised on a national scale for the second year running by making the shortlist for a County FA Recognition Award. This is testament to the commitment and efforts of our excellent workforce and supports our 2024 Impact Report which highlights the achievements across our organisation both on and off the field.”

The FA’s Head of Operations for Grassroots Football, Tim Foster added: 

“I’d like to congratulate Worcestershire FA in making the final shortlist for the Special Recognition Award. We’ve had some outstanding submissions this year, once again highlighting the crucial role County FAs play in their local communities, ensuring accessible opportunities across all football formats and creating a fun and safe environment for all.

“We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our County FAs at Wembley Stadium in November and thanking everyone involved for their efforts across the season.” 

For more information on the work of County FAs, click here.