Grass Roots August 25

AUGUST 2025 ISSUE 34

This Months Content

Team Message We’re sure pre-season preparations are in full swing, with teams across Essex back on the pitch and gearing up for the new season. Good luck to everyone getting ready for the months ahead!

We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with “Maldon & Tiptree FC”, and we look forward to bringing you regular content from the club as the season progresses.

Our new feature, “‘FA Cup Around the Grounds’”, kicked off with a visit to “Witham Town” in the Extra Preliminary Round. It was great to see the Cup excitement alive and well!

We hope to cover as many rounds as Essex teams remain involved, give us a shout if you’d like us to visit your club. Keep an eye on our social media for coverage from each round.

We recently released the first episode of the “Grassroots Magazine Podcast” covering everything grassroots football in Essex. It’s packed with local football chat, interviews, and club features. Be sure to check it out on our social media and give it a listen!

GR Podcast

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Emma Burden

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Kit Aid

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Grassroots Overseas

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Essex Lioness

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Adult Leagues

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Youth Leagues

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Essex FA

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Heybridge Swifts

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Southend United

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After another brilliant international summer for women’s football and the continued growth of the WSL, we’re excited to confirm that we’ll be bringing you regular content from the “Essex County Girls and Women’s League” this season.

We can’t wait to showcase the players, teams and stories making an impact.

Here’s to a great start to the season!

Thanks The Grassroots Team

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Emma Burden

The Powerhouse Behind Essex’s Female Football Boom

“Now is the perfect time to get on board and ensure your club is providing football for everyone! There are so many opportunities to support you to ensure you have a complete female pathway.” Emma Burden, Essex FA In a county known for its sporting pride, one woman has quietly been rewriting the script for girls and women in football. Meet Emma Burden the dynamic, driven, and deeply passionate Football Development Officer for Women’s & Girls’ Football at Essex FA. If there's been a rise in female football in Essex, Emma’s fingerprints are likely all over it.

Emma started her playing career playing for Leyton Orient before playing overseas for the New Jersey Wildcats for a number of seasons. Here she coached and played for five years.

When she eventually moved home, she played for Colchester United WFC where after two promotions she retired at age 37 playing in the Women’s Southern Premier League.

She started working as the Girls’ and Women’s FDO in 2004 for Essex FA and hasn’t looked back since.

From the Ground Up Whether she’s leading workshops for aspiring coaches or helping five-yearolds fall in love with football for the first time, Emma’s work is rooted in community. She doesn’t just develop players she looks to support pathways, works hard to remove barriers, and mentors the mentors.

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Based in Chelmsford, her mission is clear: create a sustainable and inclusive future for women’s football across Essex. And she’s doing just that—one kick, club, and coach at a time.

Emma is the beating heart behind the Equal Game Training Workshops across the region, helping local clubs launch or elevate their female offerings. With support from England Football and Barclays, these workshops are empowering clubs to embrace diversity and inclusion like never before.

“Since the fantastic success of the Lionesses we are hoping that clubs are more open than ever to starting their girls' and women’s sections. If they need a helping hand— the Equal game programme is a great initiative to support clubs with areas such as Club Identity, Governance, Marketing, Facilities. If clubs are interested in a workshop or accessing the Equal Game ambassadors, then don’t hesitate to reach out” says Emma.

Her hands-on approach ensures that even the smallest grassroots team can offer big opportunities to young girls with big dreams.

Developing Coaches, Building Leaders.

One of Emma’s greatest strengths lies not just in developing players, but in nurturing female coaches. Through development group networks, she has hosted s a variety of sessions— bringing women together to train, share, and grow their coaching credentials in an environment free of judgment.

From networking evenings either virtually or in person to pitch-side practical’s, Emma works closely with the Coach Education department in an effort to encourage change within the coaching landscape—making it richer, more inclusive, and undeniably female.

Schools & Squads.

It doesn’t stop there. Emma also manages the Essex County Schools FA girls’ squads, leading the U14s and U16s through the Regional South-East England competitions. Under her guidance, working alongside a number of really successful coaches, teachers and role models from around the County, teams have made deep runs in the English Schools FA competitions. This season both age groups won their respective competitions for the first time since 2015 further proving that Essex is brimming with female football

potential. The Lioness Lotte Wubben Moy played for Essex Schools as an U15.

Just Play, Just Start.

Emma’s philosophy is simple: football should be fun, friendly, and for everyone. Whether it’s a Just Play kickabout, a Squad Girls Football session, or helping clubs become England Football-accredited providers, Emma has an unwavering commitment to opening doors for female players of every age and ability. She has played a big part in ensuring opportunities have been accessible for Female Vets 35+ in organising festivals to take place around the county.

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A Champion of Equal Game

The Woman Behind the Whistle.

Behind Emma’s professional polish is a leader driven by passion. She’s approachable, fiercely organized, and unapologetically committed to the cause.

Her efforts go far beyond job descriptions they’re about legacy.

She’s strives to build confidence in players, connections and partnerships with football communities, and a culture that allows girls to dream of stadiums and scoreboards, not sidelines.

Want to Get Involved?

If you're a parent, coach, teacher, club, volunteer — or just someone inspired by Emma’s mission—you can connect directly with her: emma.burden@essexfa.com essexfa.com

01245 393 076

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grassroots magazine Proud to Support Local Football – Sponsoring the Chelmsford Sunday League for a Second Season We are delighted to announce our continued sponsorship of the Chelmsford Sunday League for the 2025/26 season.

As one of Essex’s longest-running grassroots competitions, the Chelmsford Sunday League has been a cornerstone of the local football community since 1962, providing opportunities for thousands of players to enjoy the game, build friendships, and compete with passion.

We’re honoured to follow in the footsteps of former long-standing sponsor Pope & Smith, and we aim to build a partnership that’s just as impactful and enduring.

Our commitment goes beyond sponsorship – it’s about supporting the heartbeat of local football and investing in the community that brings the game to life every Sunday.

Here’s to another great season of teamwork, sportsmanship, and unforgettable moments on the pitch!

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https://www.chelmsfordsundayleague.org.uk/Csltables.html

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CSFL Constitution for season 2025-26

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KITAID CORNER The national charity KitAid takes your unwanted kit & equipment and gives it a new home in parts of the world where the game of football is loved, but participation is held back by lack of access to resources.

We have reached some significant milestones in the last couple of years.

During KitAid's 25th Anniversary year, 2023, the Charity passed 1 million items of kit donated and shared worldwide. In 2024, the 26th Year, the total passed 1,100,000 million. Now in 2025, the 27th year, the total had by the end of July reached 1,184,126 (58.180 items in 2025 alone). Reaching the grand total of 1,200,000 by year end is now a very real possibility. Could it be even higher with your support?

Your first league fixtures are no doubt imminent and your new season kits are being handed out. However, if you find your Club with unwanted kit from earlier seasons, then please do consider extending its life with a kit donation to others, through KitAid, spreading smiles for the love of the game.

Your donation of kit can make a huge impact in some of the poorest and some of the most troubled parts of the world. The projects with whom we work are committed to improve health, supporting education & skills development to increase employability, promoting inclusivity for those who are otherwise excluded in society and working to keep young & older people safe, be they orphans, street children or women facing abuse. It is why we say of our work, "It's more than just a shirt ... "

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Super kit donations have in last month come in from Brightlingsea Town FC, Great Bradfords FC and Team Awesome (Risden Wood YFC).

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Kit Donations

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Partnerships in Action Important to the KitAid cause are those organisations who share our ambition for bringing relief and joy through sharing kit with those facing the most difficult of circumstances. Each month in GM we are providing examples of those partner projects with whom we work. This month we profile the Harry Mnisi Foundation.

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The Harry Mnisi Foundation (HMF) was founded in June 2016. Founded, as a non-profit charity, working in recognition of Harry Mnisi's dedication to his community. It is committed to continuing Harry Mnisi's inspiring work promoting community development in the rural areas of Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The HMF reach out, assist and support local youth and vulnerable people to realise and sustain their goals so they can have a better life - providing for mentorship, education, skills training and so much more.

Sports and skills training are a big feature of their work. They have hundreds of young people engaged in a range of sports and each year run a day long Multi-Sports event. KitAid is proud to be partnering with HMF to support the continued success of the Multi-Sports Day. Last year, shirts donated through KitAid saw a women's team win their football tournament wearing t-shirts left over from the annual Hull 10k running race. Thanks are due to the English FA, for providing the winning team with England kit and training wear as the winning team prize. This kit donation included the iconic pink & blue Lionesses training tops designed for the 2023 Women's World Cup along with the red England shorts and goalkeeper kit.

Emerson & Upminster kit

Credit: HMF/English FA We wish HMF well in their efforts to empower girls in rural South Africa using football as "a catalyst for profound social change." We wish them well in their application to UEFA for grant aid to help establish both girls football teams and leagues in the area. A successful UEFA bid would help secure the change needed to grow the girls game, and meet the challenges too that confront young girls and women that perpetuates gender inequality.

Working with such inspiring projects as HMF underlines firmly that our work with our partners is so important. "It's more than just a shirt ....", working with partners to effect social and economic change for "better lives" in some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

Credit: HMF You can get to know more about HMF at HomeHarryMnisiFoundation and get in touch with HMF at: Email: hello@harrymnisi.org WhatsApp: +44 7903 701260 WhatsApp: +27 67 322-274

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How you can help here in Essex in 2025 If you can please look to: o Donate unwanted kit & equipment – email KitAid at kitaidcharity@gmail.com or locally barrie.2014@yahoo.co.uk o Consider advertising KitAid at your ground, in your programme or on social media o Share skills (promotion, marketing or design), experience (accessing relevant grant aid) or provide access to resources (storage, transport or venues for sorting kit & equipment)

Appeal for Your Help - Kit Collectors, Storage & Transport Urgently Needed Essex is so invested in spreading smiles for the love of the game, we urgently need more help here to collect and store kits locally before being transferred to Hatfield or Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire for boxing up. You will join a great national KitAid team - but we need your hands on help in Essex. We are all volunteers and commit as much time as we feel able to, but know what we do matters ... "It's more than just a shirt ..."

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If you want to know more about joining the team of volunteers, contact KitAid Founder Derrick Williams MBE at kitaidcharity@gmail.com

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Grassroots Football in Colombia: Cultivating dreams from the ground up Grassroots football in Colombia is more than just a recreational pastime—it is a deeply embedded cultural phenomenon, a vehicle for social change, and a breeding ground for future stars. In a nation where football is revered with near-religious fervor, the development of the sport at the community level plays a critical role in shaping not only the national teams but also the social fabric of countless neighborhoods.

A Nation United by Football Colombia’s love affair with football begins on the dirt pitches of Bogotá’s barrios, the coastal towns of Cartagena, and the mountainous villages of Antioquia. For many children, football is the first organized activity they experience, offering structure, teamwork, and a sense of purpose. From an early age, boys and girls can be seen chasing makeshift balls in alleyways, schoolyards, and public parks—spaces where passion often compensates for the lack of facilities.

Football in Colombia is accessible to almost everyone. Its simplicity and low cost make it an ideal grassroots sport. All that is needed is a ball and some open space. This inclusiveness is crucial in a country where economic disparities can limit access to other forms of youth development.

Organised Efforts and Community Clubs In recent years, Colombia has seen a surge in organized grassroots football initiatives, many of which are spearheaded by local clubs, NGOs, and former professional players.

These programs aim to identify young talent while also emphasizing education, discipline, and community engagement.

Organisations such as Fundación Tiempo de Juego and Fútbol con Corazón provide structured training, mentorship, and life skills workshops to thousands of children in underserved areas. These initiatives use football as a tool to combat social issues like poverty, violence, and lack of education.

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Community clubs also play a vital role. Often operating on tight budgets, these clubs provide coaching, equipment, and exposure to competitive play. Many of Colombia’s top players, including James Rodríguez and Juan Cuadrado, trace their early development to small, grassroots academies in their hometowns.

Despite its vibrant grassroots culture, football development in Colombia faces several challenges. Infrastructure remains uneven, with many communities lacking proper fields, equipment, and training staff. In some rural or impoverished areas, children play barefoot or share a single ball for an entire village.

Funding is another persistent obstacle. Most grassroots programs rely heavily on donations, government grants, or sponsorships. Political instability and economic fluctuations can make this funding unreliable.

Moreover, there are concerns about talent scouting and player development. While some regions have strong youth systems, others are overlooked, leading to an uneven national talent pipeline.

The Path to Professionalism For many young Colombians, grassroots football represents a pathway out of hardship.

The sport offers a chance to secure scholarships, join professional clubs, or even represent the country on the international stage. The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) has made efforts to formalize youth development, launching talent identification programs and collaborating with grassroots academies.

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Challenges Facing Grassroots Football

Colombia’s national success—highlighted by World Cup qualifications and Copa América performances—has inspired a new generation. However, bridging the gap between informal play and professional careers remains a key focus.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Grassroots Football The future of Colombian football depends heavily on continued investment in grassroots development. There is growing recognition that nurturing talent at the community level is not just about producing elite players—it’s about building better citizens.

Partnerships between the private sector, local governments, and football federations will be essential. Enhanced infrastructure, professional coaching, and inclusive programs— especially for girls—can ensure that football remains a force for unity and empowerment.

In Colombia, where football is not just a sport but a way of life, grassroots development is a reflection of hope, resilience, and dreams taking flight—one kick at a time.

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MICHELLE AGYEMANG THE ESSEX LIONESS FROM BALL-GIRL TO NATIONAL HERO In the summer of 2021, Michelle Agyemang stood quietly on the sidelines at Wembley as a ball-girl, watching her idols warm up. Fast forward four years, and she’s the one electrifying that same stadium scoring last-minute equalizers, saving England’s Euro 2025 dreams, and being named UEFA’s Young Player of the Tournament.

Michelle Agyemang isn’t just the future. She’s the now.

ROOTED IN ARSENAL, RAISED FOR GREATNESS

Born in South Ockendon, Essex, in February 2006, Agyemang was already in Arsenal colours by the time she was six. Initially a defender, she gradually evolved into a dynamic, instinctive striker with an eye for goal and a knack for showing up when it matters.

Her youth record speaks for itself. In the 2022–23 academy season, she scored a staggering 19 goals in just 11 appearances for Arsenal’s U21s. By 16, she had made her first-team debut in the WSL. A few months later, she was on the scoresheet in the FA Cup.

LOANS THAT BUILT A LIONESS

In a sport where game time is king, Arsenal made a smart move: dual-registering her with Watford for the 2023–24 Championship season. There, Agyemang showed maturity beyond her years, scoring five in nine before injury cut her spell short.

For 2024–25, she was sent on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion in the top flight. The step up was significant and so was her response. Five goals, 19 appearances, and Brighton’s Young Player of the Year award later, she returned to Arsenal not just better, but ready.

In May 2024, Arsenal handed her a first professional contract. The message was clear: she’s not just one for the future she’s part of the now.

ROARING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

On the international stage, Agyemang has always delivered. She tallied 10 goals in 12 U17 appearances and continued that form at U19 and U23 level.

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Her senior England debut came in April 2025 in the UEFA Nations League against Belgium — a game she’ll never forget. Brought on late in the second half, her first two touches resulted in a goal just 41 seconds into her Lioness career.

But that was just the beginning.

At UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, Sarina Wiegman gambled on youth — and Agyemang paid her back with interest.

Quarter-final vs Sweden: England were trailing. Enter Agyemang. In the 89th minute, she levelled the game and pushed it to penalties, where the Lionesses triumphed.

Semi-final vs Italy: Deep into stoppage time, she struck again — a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser that pushed the match into extra time. England eventually won 2–1.

Final vs Spain: Though not on the scoresheet, her energy off the bench helped England survive until the penalty shootout, where they sealed the championship.

By the end of the tournament, Agyemang had scored 3 goals in 4 appearances — all off the bench — and walked away with the UEFA Young Player of the Tournament trophy.

WHAT MAKES HER SPECIAL?

Michelle Agyemang doesn’t play with the raw flash of a showboater or the brute force of a traditional No. 9. Instead, she reads space like a veteran, glides between defenders, and needs only one or two touches to change a game.

“She brings something different,” said England boss Sarina Wiegman. “She doesn’t hesitate. She just delivers.”

Former Arsenal stalwart Jen Beattie calls her "unreal," adding, “She trains like she plays. There’s no panic in her, no fear.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Back at Arsenal, Agyemang is now part of a front line that includes international stars but she’s no longer a prospect fighting for minutes. She’s a weapon, a match-winner, and perhaps the most exciting teenager in English football today.

She’s gone from handing the ball to Lionesses… to becoming one.

And if Euro 2025 is anything to go by, this is just the first chapter in what could be one of the defining stories of the next decade.

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EURO 2025: THE BREAKOUT

PLAYER PROFILE o o o o o o o o

Full Name: Michelle Agyemang Born: 3 February 2006, South Ockendon, England Position: Forward Club: Arsenal WFC Height: 1.69m (5’7”) England Senior Debut: April 2025 Caps/Goals (as of July 2025): 4 / 3 Notable Awards: UEFA Young Player of the Tournament (2025), Brighton YPOTY (2025)

FINAL WHISTLE From ball-girl to match-saver, Michelle Agyemang’s journey is more than inspiring its proof that with the right club, the right backing, and the right mentality, the next Lioness icon doesn’t need to wait her turn.

She’s already here!!

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Fancy a browse? A pint in our taproom?

Picking up a click-and-collect order?

This is where and when you can:

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A LOCAL, FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS IN THE HEART OF ESSEX.

OPENING HOURS Thursday 4 - 7 pm Friday 4 - 9 pm Saturday 12:30 - 6pm Last orders, drinking up time + 15 mins We advise double checking on Google for accurate hours. We sometimes have markets, open early or have extended hours.

Closed Sunday through Wednesday.

BREWERY ADDRESS: Unit 2, Brewery Fields, Church Street, Great Baddow, CM2 7LE

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gives back

Grassroots Magazine is committed to giving back to grassroots football and we are excited to sponsor a talented young player Kaci Crook & an equally talented youth team in Broomfield Lions U13’s for this season.

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Website: www.WeAreYourMATES.com

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Email: WeAreYourMATES@gmail.com

Essex County Women's Football League - Home | Facebook

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WOMENS & GIRLS ESSEX COUNTY LEAUGE & CUP RESULTS 24/25

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LOCAL ADULT

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CLICK THE BADGE TO VISIT LEAGUE AND VIEW THE LATEST NEWS AND RESULTS.

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ESSEX FA HEATWAVE: ENSURING PLAYER AND COACH WELLBEING REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY

Be Aware of the Significance of Sun Protection this Summer Footballers often spend prolonged amounts of time in the sun.

When playing any sport outdoors, it is important to be aware of the significance of sun protection, and what can happen if it is not paid attention to.

Alongside the Essex County FA, the Melanoma Fund is dedicated to improving sun safety protocols and ensuring player and coach wellbeing remains a top priority. The national charity bring awareness and education, promoting the prevention of all types of skin cancer which can be caused by excessive time in the sun without proper protection.

In 2014, they introduced sun protection to the sports and outdoor sector and, currently, they offer free sun protection resources to improve understanding. Together with the Essex County FA, the Melanoma Fund wants to improve this and make sure players and coaches remain safe.

Despite the fact outdoor sport remains popular amongst young people, particularly in the summer months, sun protection is still a ‘missed shot’ across all stages, especially at grassroots level. Since exposure to the sun remains constant throughout the year for football players, without the correct protection, young players are at risk of sunburn, which can lead to many issues later on.

The Fund’s ‘Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code’ is a free educational resource available for all sports clubs and individuals. It educates on all aspects of sun and heat protection, provides necessary awareness materials and provides communication support to parents. The ‘Sun-Sorted!’ quiz is a great way to educate children about the importance of staying safe in the sun.

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Prepare Protect Shade Hydrate Lead by Example

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The Melanoma Fund details five main rules:

If you provide outdoor sports activities, you can sign-up for the Fund’s free Sunguarding Course and gain your sunguarding accreditation. This course will provide you with practical tips around sun protection, bring an awareness of skin cancer and early detection, teach you how to identify and mitigate the risks of heatrelated illnesses and guide you on how to incorporate this knowledge into your sessions.

Visit www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/sun-and-heat-protection-course to read about the Melanoma Fund’s Sunguarding Course. You can also interact with the Essex County FA on social media.

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ESSEX FA

THE TEAMS, THE GOALS, THE CHAMPIONS: IS YOUR TEAM READY FOR CUP GLORY? Don’t Miss Your Chance to Compete in an Essex County Cup in 2025/26!

Entries are still live for local football teams to start their bid for Essex County Cup glory in 2025/26, with online applications welcomed in the ‘Club Portal’ via the Essex County FA’s website until Thursday 31st July.

Participation numbers are growing ahead of the forthcoming season, with the County Cups now featuring new Under 14s Trophy and Under 15s Girls Cup competitions.

The entry deadline is coming up, and club affiliation and re-affiliation are also live, with teams required to be affiliated before participating in any fixture.

Thanks to advances in FA technology over recent years, it has never been easier or quicker for clubs to affiliate their teams and enter the County Cups. Greg Hart, Essex County FA Head of Football Services, explained: “For 2025/26, we’re building on the success of establishing a secondary Under 13s competition by introducing a similar competition for Under 14s teams, whilst a new Essex Under 15s Girls Cup completes the pathway from Under 12s to Under 18s in the female game.”

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County Cup finals are special occasions each season, and the 2025 finals were attended by a total of 7,665 spectators, only bettered once in the last 15 years. Hart added: “With over 1,650 entries last season, our County Cups continue to go from strength-to-strength, offering participants in youth, open-age and veterans football the opportunity to play in one of 26 showpiece finals.”

The teams, the goals, the champions. Don’t miss your chance to compete!

Full details relating to the affiliation and County Cup entry process, as well as a link to the Club Portal, can be located at www.essexfa.com.

Make sure your Club Secretary has entered your team… this could be your year! You can also interact with the Essex County FA on social media.

How to Enter Essex’s County Cups It’s never been easier to enter an Essex County FA competition, which can be achieved at the point of 2025/26 affiliation (or reaffiliation) through the ‘Club Portal’ online.

Even if your club has been particularly efficient and affiliated already, you can still return to the portal and add on a County Cup entry as follows: o o o o

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Previous final feedback from managers and coaches has highlighted an appreciation of being able to compete against different teams from outside their own league, in other parts of Essex, plus others view a County Cup as the highest accolade their squad can achieve. Creating “memories to last a lifetime” when your team’s name is etched onto the silverware is a special moment which brings a club, and a community, closer together.

Go to the Club Portal (https://clubs.thefa.com/) Click on ‘Teams’ in the left-hand menu Click ‘Update’ under the County Cups column next to each team Select the County Cup you wish to enter from the options presented and click ‘Confirm’

The Feedback: County Cup Final Coach Reaction “I think any time you have an achievement, you sort of look at the hard work and what’s gone into it. I think this group of players have been fantastic.”

“And to know that we’ve had to travel all over and compete with all these different teams that have good standards, it feels really good. It’s very rewarding.”

“When you win the Essex Cup, it says that you’re the best team in Essex, so I’m delighted for the girls. I’m so happy for them.”

“And the second goal, you see the reaction from all the players how much it means to everybody and what a team they are, and how they come together.”

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“We said at the beginning of the season; we want to do well in this competition. It’s a competition with massive history and we wanted to do well and we wanted to put our name on that trophy today.”

“She ended up being the absolute hero, didn’t she? Absolutely unbelievable.”

“County Cups never come easy and I’m happy for him and the team as well. We’ve got some older heads in there who’ve been playing for a long time and never won anything.”

“You remember your wins at the end of your career. It’s great for the players and the club and the community.”

“Beyond my wildest dreams! I’ve played football for 30-odd years. I’ve never played in the County Cup Final. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be the manager of this side and to lead us to victory.”

“Absolutely elated, absolutely buzzing. The boys were brilliant tonight. Absolutely fantastic.

To a man. I’m so pleased for all of them: all our fans, all the management, really pleased.”

“You’ve just watched a club who we formed five, six years ago. We’re all mates. We’re brothers, cousins. We’re actually a family. The success is to everyone who’s played their part.”

“Memories to last a lifetime. Absolute lifetime. I’ll never forget this. Like I say to them: when they’re older, they’ll remember this day, believe me.”

HUNDREDS ENJOY HUGE ‘BIG FOOTBALL DAY’ FESTIVAL IN EAST HAM Star Names Support Major Female Football Celebration

Participants aged from five to 84 enjoyed a ‘Big Football Day’ event at Central Park in East Ham on Saturday (5th July), which celebrated and promoted grassroots women’s football.

Big Football Day was part of a nationwide FA initiative, powered by The National Lottery, and Newham was one of the flagship locations. The event featured training sessions for all ages, interactive activities, community engagement and a live screening of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 match between England and France. Key themes were inclusivity and empowering women and girls through football, celebrating community spirit and supporting the Lionesses.

There was also promotion of volunteering, coaching and refereeing opportunities. Amongst the special guests at the event were former England internationals Nikita Parris and Fara Williams, Anna Butova (Panna World Champion) and DJ, Scott Mills.

Highlights included girls’ football sessions for ages 5-14 and women’s football training for those aged 16 and over. There were interactive ‘fun zones’, featuring face painting, hair braiding, art and crafts, tote bag decorating and airbrush tattoos, plus a ‘Fast Feet’ Challenge, a roaming photo booth, community stalls and the live match screening.

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ESSEX FA

Coaches from local club Central Park Allstars FC were key to the organisation of the event, in partnership with The National Lottery, The FA, Newham Council, West Ham United Foundation and the Essex County FA, including Young Leaders from the Youth Forum, Newham College and the University of East London. County FA Football Development Officer, Emma Burden, was delighted with the success of the event.

She commented: “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in organising this fantastic occasion. The biggest plus for me was the clear demonstration that football really is for everybody. We had five-year-olds taking part in the activities, as well as an 84-year-old! The legacy will now be how we all come together to further develop female football in Newham.”

If you’d like to find out more about participating in female football in Essex, visit www.essexfa.com or interact with the Essex County FA on social media.

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HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS F.C Message from Heybridge Swifts FC Chairman, Steve Spreadbury Good day to all Grassroots Magazines readers, We’re very excited here at Heybridge Swifts FC as we look ahead to the start of another football season. It’s a time of energy and optimism throughout the club and we’re especially pleased to announce that our Youth Section continues to grow from strength to strength.

This season, we will proudly be fielding:

o 17 Community teams o 5 EJA (Eastern Junior Alliance) teams o An U18 team competing in the Thurlow Nunn League o Our Reserve team o And of course, our 1st Team We wish every team across the club the very best of luck for the campaign ahead.

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Sponsorship at this level is absolutely vital not just for the 1st Team, but across the whole club.

If you're interested in learning more about our sponsorship packages, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly at steve.spreadbury@cmsfreight.com.

It’s always a pleasure seeing the Grassroots team at our matches we look forward to welcoming them back this season. With a strong start, we hope to build solid momentum and set a great foundation for the year ahead.

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We’ve also been working hard behind the scenes to build new sponsorship opportunities. From matchday sponsorships to sponsoring players, staff, match balls, or even the Man of the Match there are plenty of ways for supporters and local businesses to get involved.

To every team out there, at every level have a fantastic season. Always believe in your ability, keep pushing forward, and enjoy every moment on the pitch. You never know where it might take you.

Kind regards, Steve Spreadbury Chairman – Heybridge Swifts FC

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WHO WE ARE

The DT38 Foundation has been set up in memory of Dylan James Tombides. Dylan was an Australian International and West Ham United professional football player who passed away aged 20 in April 2014 after a 3-year battle with testicular cancer. The West Ham Family thought so highly of Dylan that they retired his number 38 and made DT38 one of their principal charities.

The charity has been formed as a result of Dylan being misdiagnosed.

Our vision is to change the way testicular cancer is diagnosed by implementing best practice diagnostic guidelines for patients who present with testicular symptoms.

We also aim to arm future generations of young men with the necessary knowledge about testicular cancer that will enable them to be confident when taking health matters into their own hands.

Our mission is to raise awareness and change the stigma associated with men’s health issues with a focus on testicular cancer. We aim to do this through educational programs and opportunities for the youth of our community, to help shape a generation of children who are selfaware about their health and wellbeing.

OUR MAIN GOALS ARE TO ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

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Drive the SELF-AWARENESS campaign for the early detection of testicular cancer Focus on youth EDUCATION through various teaching programmes aligned to national curriculum Partnering with the COMMUNITY to promote the changes needed for increased male awareness and openness towards discussing their health matters Collaborating with GOVERNING BODIES to foster a best practice mentality for the early detection of testicular cancer

The charity is based in both the United Kingdom and Australia. The charity was launched on the 28th February 2015 in the United Kingdom when West Ham United came up against Crystal Palace at Upton Park. At the 38th minute mark the spectators from both sides stood and clapped as a mark of respect. The charity officially launched in Australia on September 1st 2015 when Premier Colin Barnett and the Tombides family unveiled a bronze statue of Dylan outside NIB Stadium- Perth’s home of football. Both events were extremely momentous occasions and highlight the high regard in which Dylan was held both as a footballer and a person.

The charity has come about as a direct response too Dylan’s personal story and the current status of testicular cancer awareness in society. Testicular cancer affects younger men aged 15- 49. It is the second most common cancer in young men in Australia. There was 732 cases diagnosed in Australia in 2011 and 25 deaths. The rate of men diagnosed with testicular cancer has grown 50% in the past 30 years and the reason is unknown. The survival rate is 98%. There is currently no routine screening tests in place for testicular cancer. We at the DT38 Foundation believe that awareness is the key to addressing this illness. We know that our vision and mission clearly state the changes we plan to bring about in the future.

At the moment we have a small team of 4 directors and many volunteers in Perth, Western Australia. The foundation is growing at a rapid pace and so is the number of people becoming involved with DT38. We have found the need to have the Australian Company (DT38 Australia Pty Ltd) registered as a charity and the direction we are heading is very clear to us. We are now at the stage where we require funding to assist us in beginning various projects.

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OUR HISTORY

We at DT38 recognise the potential impact we can have on a large scale and are proud to be part of an organization like ours. We believe that we have the correct structures and procedures in place to assist us in developing our key milestones and we look forward to continuing to spread the DT38 message with the world.

To read about our latest developments head to our news page

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There are lots of ways you can get involved from sponsorship opportunity’s, fan ownership, become a volunteer or if you just want to read more about our plan, please click the links below to find out more.

Sponsorship Opportunity Partner with our 100% fan owned football club by taking up one of our sponsorship packages. We have several options available.

CLICK HERE

Our Plan

Fan Ownership

Our Plan

We believe in transparency as a football club, by clicking here you can view our full business plan. As we grow as a club we will continue updating this document with more detial.

For as little as £5 you can become an owner of East Thurrock Community Football Club. Get a say in how the club is run as well as full financial updates on a weekly basis.

We believe in transparency as a football club, by clicking here you can view our full business plan. As we grow as a club we will continue updating this document with more detial.

VIEW BUSINESS PLAN

BECOME AN OWNER

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

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Would you like to get involved?

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SUCF Post-16 Education Programme Wrap up!

As we wrap up the academic year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work, growth, and resilience shown by all our Year 12 and 13 students across both BTEC Level 2 and Level 3 Football / Sport programmes. The Annual Education Awards ceremony was a huge success, where we celebrated the student’s achievements and successes for the year with parents, key partners and SUCF staff members.

To our Year 13's – a huge congratulations on completing your BTEC Sport qualifications, where you showed determination, professionalism, and perseverance throughout your time with Southend United Community College. We wish you all the best heading to University, starting an Apprenticeship, travelling for an American Scholarship, pursuing a career in non-league football / professional football or stepping into the world of work within the industry.

We're extremely proud of what you have achieved!

To our Year 12's – you have laid down a strong foundation this year where you have grown in confidence, shown commitment and pushed yourselves both in the classroom and on the football pitch. Keep the momentum going into next year, where it’s your time to lead!

Across all year groups, your teamwork, attitude, and love of football have stood out. You’ve supported each other, represented the education department and Southend United Football Club with pride, and continued to raise the bar.

Southend United Community Foundation would like to thank all students for being part of the success, where 98.9% passed on or above target for the 24-25 academic year. We wish you a relaxing summer where you can rest up, reflect and come back ready for pre-season and the next academic year.

Pre-season training for our college programme commences on Monday 4th August 2025 from 3pm at Garon Park SS2 4FA. For more information, contact Alfie.smith@southendunited-cet.co.uk or a.edmunds@southendunited-cet.co.uk

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