DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ACTION PLAN 2024 -2028
To run alongside our 2024-28 Strategy we are pleased to launch our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. Shropshire FA is committed to developing and fostering an environment that inclusive for all and this plan will help progress our journey to have a more inclusive game reflective of our communities.
Foreword by Andy
Weston, CEO at Shropshire Football
Association: At Shropshire FA, we want to unite our diverse communities that live within our county and provide inclusive opportunities for people from all walks of life regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability or background. Our commitment to creating an equal playing field for all is outlined in our action plan and is reflective of the evolving environments in modern football. It is important to note that our journey to inclusion is still in progress, but with our ambitions to promote diversity and inclusion that has been set out in the plan below, we are committed to developing and fostering an environment that is inclusive for all.
SUCCESSFUL CPD SESSION
A Huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended our CPD event at Allscott on Monday 11th November
It was fantastic to see so many coaches come together to learn, grow, and share insights led by Sam Griffiths and Stacey Miles. Your dedication to professional development is what makes our coaching community so strong.
A special shout-out to Allscott Heath FC for their generosity in allowing us to use their facilities — your support made this event possible!
Here’s to more nights filled with learning, collaboration, and progress. Thanks again to all who attended and made it such a memorable evening!
SUCCESSFUL CPD SESSION AT SHREWSBURY TOWN
A Huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended the CPD session at Shrewsbury Town FC on 25th November
We hope you enjoyed the session and found it insightful and hopefully you can all put things you have learnt into practice
SFA Complete 120 challenge for BHF
On Friday 8th November we completed our 120 for 120 to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. We would like to thank Shrewsbury Town FC, AFC Bridgnorth, NC United and AFC Telford for letting us use your facilities to walk around your pitches. If you would like to donate, donate here: https://gofund.me/2e6e49a8
Coaching CPD
It was fantastic to see so many coaches come together to learn, grow, and share insights . Your dedication to professional development is what makes our coaching community so strong. A special shout-out to Allscott Heath FC for their generosity in allowing us to use their facilities your support made this event possible! Here’s to more nights filled with learning, collaboration, and progress Thanks again to all who attended and made it such a memorable evening!
Women’s walking football: Another enjoyable morning at the Shropshire FA Women’s Walking Football session at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday. Some great skills and some incredible goals were scored Looking forward to next time already!
If you are interested in coming along to a session please emailphoebe.warner@shropshirefa.com
Women’s Coaching Development Group: Huge shout out to everyone from the Shropshire FA Female Coach Development Group who attended our recent CPD session with Stacey Miles, Regional Coach Development Officer, and Sam Griffiths, Shropshire FA's Designated Safeguarding and Workforce Officer. It was another fantastic session filled with learning, inspiration, and valuable insights!
If you're a female coach in Shropshire eager to enhance your coaching skills and connect with like-minded women, reach out to Sam for more details on how you can get involved! �� #FemaleCoaches #ShropshireFA #CoachDevelopment
REFEREES GRASP OPPORTUNITY
10 of our Shropshire FA referees were chosen and given the opportunity to officiate premier league academy teams in the Premier League Truce Tournament at RAF Cosford on Remembrance Sunday.
We hope you all enjoyed the event and it was a good experience to have in a professional environment and
Do you have passionate young leaders within your club who inspire and motivate others? It's time to recognise their potential!
We at the Shropshire FA are on the lookout for dedicated youth mentors. These mentors will play a crucial role in shaping the future of football in our community, providing guidance, and fostering the next generation of talent.
Why Nominate?
• Empower young leaders
• Enhance their leadership and communication skills
• Make a lasting impact on youth football in Shropshire
Who Can Be Nominated?
• Enthusiastic young members aged 14-25
• Those who demonstrate leadership qualities
• Individuals committed to the development of youth football
Please complete the form below to nominate your clubs young leader https://forms.office.com/e/EdEaAzi6HS
safeguarding requirements
safeguarding requirements
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
longserviceaward
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 Referees on completion feree affiliated to this on
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!
�� 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! ��
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
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
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.
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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.
