Norfolk FA Shortlisted for the County FA
Recognition Awards 2024

Norfolk County Football Association has been successfully shortlisted for the Coach Development award, Football Development award and Special Recognition award at the County FA Recognition Awards 2024, for the Norfolk FA Coach Development Programme, Supervets League and The Big C Walking Football Programme respectively.

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

Norfolk County FA has made the final shortlist for the Coach Development award for the Norfolk FA Coach Development Programme. The programme consisted of multiple regional workshops, a female only programme, Coach Mentor Programme and Coaches Club Tour. The aim was to ensure that all coaches within the county would be able to access regional workshops, as well as delivering a Female Only Coaching Programme to provide extra support and guidance for these coaches. The Coach Mentor Programme involved bespoke sessions that consolidated and supported previous learnings and supported coaches to attain their next qualification. The Coaches Club Tour was aimed to provide our coaches with memorable CPD experience that would give them a clear insight to what the professional game looks like.

The second shortlisted initiative, in the Football Development category, is the Supervets League. The League ensures that whatever age, men across the County can access playing opportunities, that are still competitive for them. This is to prevent the drop off in players from the veterans 35+ age group and to re-engage with players who have already stopped playing.

Norfolk County FA’s final shortlisting was in the Special Recognition category for an initiative delivered between the County Football Association, The Big C (cancer charity) and Norwich City Community Sports Foundation. The aim of the project is to deliver a Walking Football provision for people suffering from or that are affected by Cancer, and to also allow people to share stories, advice and make meaningful friendships. The connections made between the participants have created a social network which goes beyond the walking football group, with participants now meeting with each other outside of the weekly sessions to socialise and support each other.

Norfolk County FA CEO, Matt Carpenter, said: "I am incredibly proud that our Association has been shortlisted in three categories for this season’s County FA Recognition Awards. After seeing some of the amazing projects and initiatives that other County FAs have been delivering, I truly appreciate how difficult it is to get shortlisted.

“Being shortlisted reflects our commitment to grassroots football in Norfolk and our belief in creating opportunities for everyone at all levels of the game. This recognition fuels our passion to continue enhancing football across Norfolk, ensuring it remains a vibrant and inclusive sport for all.”

The FA’s Head of Operations for Grassroots Football, Tim Foster added: “I’d like to congratulate Norfolk County FA in making the final shortlist for three awards. 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, visit: https://www.englandfootball.com/explore/county-football-associations