DECEMBER 2024
SHROPSHIRE FA
To everyone involved in the game in Shropshire. As Christmas approaches, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and dedication to football across Shropshire. This year has been incredible, full of memorable matches, hard-fought victories, new opportunities to participate, that makes grassroots football so special. Your passion and commitment—whether as players, coaches, officials, or volunteers—help the game thrive, and we are proud to have you as part of our football family. As we look forward to the New Year, we are excited about the opportunities ahead to continue growing the game together. From everyone at Shropshire FA, we wish you a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. Here’s to a successful and exciting 2025!
From Sh ropshire FA
Seb’s Visit From SFA A special visit from Shropshire FA's Sam Griffiths and Phoebe Warner to an incredible young boy named Seb! Seb has been collecting selection boxes and toys for children in the hospital, and Shropshire FA was proud to donate some to add to his collection. During the visit, Sam and Phoebe had the privilege of hearing Seb's inspiring story. He shared how, after his own time in hospital, receiving a selection box brought a long-awaited smile to his face – and now, he’s on a mission to make all the children in the hospital smile too! Seb, your kindness and generosity are truly inspiring. You are an amazing young man, and we’re so proud to have met you!
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON LIVING This year we are supporting the British Heart Foundation with joint raising funds for life saving research HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS CHRISTMAS? Each year, 170,000 people die from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK. This Christmas, we’re asking you to give a gift that keeps on living. A gift to help fund groundbreaking research that will keep hearts beating and save lives.
Donate today and help keep families and friends together for many Christmases to come: https://gofund.me/2e6e49a8
WILDCATS GO BOWLING These young wild cats got to go bowling to celebrate the completion of their programme. Well done! If you have a young girl interested in playing football and making friends then contact phoebe.warner@shropshirefa.com
SHROPSHIRE FA VISIT TELFORD COLLEGE We gave Telford college students a visit on Thursday 5th December to ask them about their views on football in the county and how we can improve it for the youth
THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION INVESTMENT Every community deserves a great place to play ⚽ We’re working with @footballfoundtn to deliver great places to play in Shropshire thanks to funding from @premierleague, @FA and @DCMS. In 2025, they're not stopping here. Read their plan for our area: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/local-plans/
REFEREE SUCCESS! Congratulations to National Group Assistant Referee, Jason Roberts, who at the start of the month officiated his first EFL line for Cheltenham V Port Vale. This is a great achievement. We hope you enjoyed the momentous occasion
Congratulations to Match Official Andy Biggin who was appointed to FA Vase third round clash between Whitchurch Alport vs Lincoln United
Congratulations to Match Official Caitlin Slater who was appointed as an Assistant Referee for Aston Villa U21s v Cheltenham U21s in the PGA League
TELFORD REFEREES ASSOCIATION SUPPORTED BY SFA Thank you to everyone who attended the report writing and discipline hearing process on Monday 9th December. It was a very inciteful evening with guest speakers from the local discipline board giving our referees advice on how to prepare for personal hearings and where they can get support. We hope everyone who attended took something away from the evening and can use some new skills to write reports should the occasion arise
safeguarding requirements
safeguarding requirements
safeguarding organogram Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Sam Griffiths sam.griffiths@shropshirefa.com 01743 362769 / 07918764766
In absence of designated safeguarding officer Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer (DDSO) Tom Wellings tom.wellings@shropshirefa.com 01743 362769 / 07719047701
In absence of deputy designated safeguarding officer Senior Safeguarding Lead (SSL) Andy Weston andy.weston@shropshirefa.com 01743 362769
In absence of senior safeguarding lead Deputy Senior Safeguarding Lead (DSSL) Zoe Griffiths zoe.griffiths@shropshirefa.com 01743 362769 / 07368528519
long service award As an Association we wish to record and reward the service to Shropshire FA. A Long Service Award may be presented to Club Officials on completion of 21 years’ service with an individual Club, League or- Competition. The Club, League or Competition concerned shall have the option of making the application and producing the necessary supporting evidence. You can apply for individuals to receive a long service award from The Football Association after serving 50 consecutive years. A Long Service Award may be presented to Referees on completion of 21 years’ service as a referee affiliated to this Association
THE GRASSROOTS CODE IS DESIGNED TO UNITE EVERYONE ACROSS GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL BY DRIVING POSITIVE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND. Enjoy The Game - we're here to enjoy ourselves... win, lose or draw. • Give Respect - we always treat others as we'd like to be treated. • Be Inclusive - we embrace our differences... football is a game for everyone. • Work Together - we're a team, on and off the pitch. • Play Safe - we all have a role in safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults.
For more information CLICK HERE
fOOTBALL rESPECT aMBASSADORS 🚨 Calling All Football Enthusiasts! 🚨
Shropshire FA is on the hunt for passionate individuals to join our team as Football Respect Ambassadors for the 2024-25 season! ⚽️ We believe football should be a force for good where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. From players to coaches, referees to fans, every grassroots matchday should be a safe, welcoming, and positive experience for all. However, we know that sometimes things don’t go as planned. That’s where YOU come in!
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🔍 Role: Football Respect Ambassador
• Act as our undercover eyes and ears at grassroots matches. • Observe and report on matchday experiences. • Help us tackle poor practices and celebrate positive behaviour.
👥 What We Offer:
• Comprehensive induction • Weekly check-ins and regular training • The chance to make a real difference in grassroots football If you're passionate about promoting respect in football and have a keen eye for detail, we want to hear from you!
📝 How to Apply:
• Send your covering letter to sam.griffiths@shropshirefa.com Let’s work together to ensure every match is a great experience. We can't wait to have you on board!
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dbs support Please find the link to First Advantage's new Football Association Customer Support Microsite. https://help.fadv.com/s/thefa This Microsite has within it an IA integrated 'Chatbot' which will provides answers and also will link customers to FADVs dedicated FA Support team during office hours. Customers can find information on setting their club/verifiers up and there are links to other FAQ (these will grow) and to TheFA.com safeguarding pages. The microsite also includes a 'submit a query' section which opens up a query service that goes direct to The FA specific FAD DBS customer support team along with detailing the tel. number if people prefer to call the team.
Not everyone has the same opportunities when it comes to developing life skills that can help secure a job, or support career growth. England Football Learning and Chase, as the Official Banking Partner of England Football Learning, want to help change that, by harnessing the power of football to help individuals develop transferable skills that can unlock their potential, on the pitch and beyond. Chase fully funded places have been created to provide funding opportunities for coaches who would benefit from financial support towards completing either the Introduction to Coaching Football, UEFA B Licence or UEFA A Licence. The programme is aligned to our wider goal of helping to increase participation within the game, as well as Chase’s ongoing investment in community-based programmes. By fostering diversity and inclusion within our coaching workforce we aim to: Increase participation: Inspiring individuals from all backgrounds to step onto the pitch, both as players and coaches. Break down barriers: Helping remove financial limitations that might hinder talented coaches from achieving their goals. Create role models: Empowering coaches to become inspiring figures for future generations.
The Player Welfare in Open Age Football course by England Learning is now available to complete online Develop your understanding of the importance of player welfare and gain insights into creating a positive, safe environment for your team
first aid courses Unfortunately, a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone. This learning is designed to help you to recognise an SCA and respond appropriately.
shropshire fa complaints procedure This procedure outlines the details with regards to sending a complaint to the Shropshire Football Association regarding a Match Official, Club, League, Participant or the Shropshire FA itself.
SAFEGUARDING COURSES Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. . Take our courses and learn how to implement best practices.
best practice Over the years The FA has been asked for advice and guidance to help clubs create fun, safe and inclusive environments. This advice the form of Guidance Notes, available to download in themed-sections of this website.
Back by popular demand, easyfundraising’s Advent Calendar returns to bring some festive cheer. Open the Advent windows from 1st – 24th December for daily chances to win up to £200 for your club. Plus, every window opened is an automatic entry to win a big Christmas Day prize of £1,000! To take part, sign your club up here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/shropshire-fa/ What a way to start the ho-ho-holidays! Did you know easyfundraising isn’t just for Christmas? It’s a year-round fundraising solution for your club. Through easyfundraising, 8000 retailers including eBay, John Lewis, Tesco, M&S, Trainline and many more will donate money to your club when your supporters shop with them.