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NORTHANTS FA NEWSLETTER - 30th AUGUST 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter!
As we move into September, we have already seen the return of competitive football for our sides playing at Step 6 and above, and most recently, those sides playing in adult Saturday afternoon football below Step 6. In just a couple of weeks we will see our Youth Leagues return and the 2023-24 Season will be well under way!
With the new season comes new opportunities, and you will see later on in the newsletter some of the vacancies we have at Northants FA to come and join the team and make a positive impact on the Football Community in Northamptonshire.
On the subject of opportunities, you will also find some fantastic events for our grassroots coaches to develop their skills and enhance their abilities through our Coaching CPD sessions.
We are also offering a new opportunity to all 16-24 year olds across the County who have a passion for football and are looking to expand their knowledge, experience and involvement in the game through our brand new Young Volunteer Programme, for which we are currently accepting applications!
Northamptonshire FA wish you all the very best for the 2023-24 season, and thank you once again for your hard work and dedication to grassroots football in the County.
Luke Scott
Head of Operations & Senior Safeguarding Lead
In this edition of the newsletter, you will find:
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MEET OUR COACH DEVELOPERS AND HAVE YOUR SAY
We would love as many coaches, club coach developers and club officials to join one of our Introduction Evenings in the next couple of weeks to find out the opportunities available to you across the 2023/24 season.
To ensure as many people as possible can attend, we are hosting both an in person and online event.
This is a great chance to meet some of the key deliverers and have your say on what workshops you would like to see.
Event details
Coaching Programme Introduction (Online)
Friday 8th September (7pm-9pm)
BOOK HERE
Coaching Programme Introduction (Sixfields Stadium)
Monday 11th September (7pm-9pm)
BOOK HERE
Make sure you head to our CPD Events page throughout the season to make the most of coach development opportunities.
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DBS Checks in Whole Game System
Please note First Advantage no longer sends automatic emails out to applicants when completing their DBS once you have added them on as a DBS applicant.
Instead, please follow these instructions:
- Sign into the Whole Game System
- Click the My DBS tab on the left-hand side
- Click the green button (next to the club name and the person who has completed the DBS) to complete the application with the club's information.
For any questions, please email Info@NorthamptonshireFA.com
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Play Phase - 4-5 Year Olds
At the beginning of the season 2023-2024, clubs can affiliate four and five-year-olds under the new title of Play Phase.
The FA has mandated the provision to reduce the risk of harm and abuse for the young players and safeguard the club.
The FA requires parents/carers to supervise their child(ren) if they are four or five years of age at each club session they attend. It should be noted this is not about providing childcare.
Download Play Phase guidance here.
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Play Safe returns in September
Play Safe is back for 2023 on Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October.
This year's theme is Everyone, Everywhere, Every Time.
Clubs and leagues will be encouraged to make an online pledge to demonstrate their support, sharing what they plan to do to make a positive difference.
In mid-August The FA will:
- Send Play Safe captain’s armbands for every youth team captain, along with a Play Safe pin badge for the coach and Club Welfare Officer directly to youth clubs.
- Provide a range of digital assets for all to use in support of Play Safe.
Find out more about Everyone, Everywhere here.
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Stopping Child Exploitation with Northamptonshire Police
Northamptonshire Police are working with The Children's Society with the campaign #LookCloser
This messaging is to help people report the signs of child exploitation.
You can find information which could help you spot the signs here.
Please share this information with with parents and carers, as well as officials, at your club to ensure we can keep the game safe for children.
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FA
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Chief Executive Officer
We are looking for a CEO to lead our organisation and ensure we provide a great grassroots football experience for everyone in Northamptonshire.
As the governing body of the game across Northamptonshire, we are responsible for setting high standards and values throughout the game at every level.
Northamptonshire FA (NFA) is responsible for providing the structure and support that enables players, coaches, volunteers and referees from across our county to develop and enjoy the beautiful game.
We're looking for a new CEO to be responsible and accountable for the day-to-day running of the NFA and to spearhead the strategic direction and culture of the NFA, acting as an ambassador for grassroots football.
We are seeking to recruit an inspiring, dynamic and highly motivated individual with a proven track record in business. The successful candidate will have a passion for sport and in particular football and demonstrable experience of leading organisations through change.
This is a crucial role for the NFA and the wider grassroots game locally, so we are looking for a highly skilled, knowledgeable and qualified candidate who can contribute to the delivery of our Business Strategy and continue the ongoing development at County FA.
The successful candidate will lead, coach, develop and mentor a talented team that works across all the local authorities and other key stakeholders in Northamptonshire.
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Football Development Officer (Recreational & Disability)
We are currently recruiting for an exceptional Football Development Officer to join our development team and help drive forward two vitally important areas of the grassroots game in Northamptonshire – disability football and recreational football.
The successful candidate will have strategic oversight of the disability player pathway, supporting clubs to grow their disability football provision and achieve 2* and 3* England Football Accreditation.
Alongside disability football, the post holder will be expected to introduce a range of new football provision across the County for recreational football – e.g. flexi-leagues, small-sided leagues, walking football, futsal and Just Play.
We anticipate the position to split their time roughly 50/50 between disability and recreational football. This is not a coaching role.
The role requires a good knowledge of grassroots football and the structures that exist within it. We expect candidates will be educated to degree level or equivalent and have a good understanding of The FA’s National Game Strategy and Northamptonshire FA’s business strategy. The ability to manage a diverse work programme and multiple priorities is also a requirement, as well as good communication and project-planning skills.
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HAVE AMAZING EXPERIENCES WITH THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
Don’t miss your chance to be apart of a new exciting opportunity!
The Young Volunteer Programme programme will see 12 successful candidates take part in a range of different learning experiences that will support their development within the football setting.
The programme will also see these young individuals embedded into the organisation’s regular activities. For more information, please click here.
Deadline for applications is 9am on Friday 8th September.
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DISCOUNT CODE FOR NTFC TICKETS THROUGH NORTHANTS FA
Northampton Town FC are giving Northants FA stakeholders the chance to watch The Cobblers for a discounted price this season!
To take advantage of the discount, simply head to ntfcdirect.co.uk or call the ticket office on 01604 683777 and quote NFA1802.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM REFEREE MONTH
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Northamptonshire FA partner with RefSuite
We are pleased to have partnered with RefSuite to help referees manage your availability and appointments.
We anticipate the majority of Northants leagues will also adopt this system, so we hope you will only be required to use one system throughout the season. We will also be using RefSuite for all NFA County Cup appointments.
Download the RefSuite guidance here.
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Listen to the For Ref's Sake Podcast
For Ref's Sake is a Northamptonshire-based podcast exclusively for referees!
Hosted by our very own Luke Scott and Referee Developer Wayne Chalmers, they discuss the latest news in refereeing and fantastic guests for insightful interviews.
Subscribe and listen here.
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Join our Observation Workshop
Join our Referee Development Officer Olly Mackey on Monday 11th September (7:30pm) for an observation workshop involving a Northants Senior Youth League fixture between AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Holbeach United Youth U18.
The match will be played at Holcot Centre, Moulton College Pitsford Road, Moulton NN3 7SX.
No registration required, just turn up and watch!
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MONTHLY THEME ANNOUNCED FOR SEPTEMBER
Our Theme of the Month for September will be Equality and Inclusion.
Keep your eye out on our website and social channels for the latest Equality and Inclusion initiatives we are undertaking at Northants FA.
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NFA PARTNER WITH FLEETLINE MARKERS
Football clubs and sites affiliated to Northamptonshire FA will now have access to a range of discounts and benefits at the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of line marking paints and equipment, thanks to a new partnership between Northamptonshire FA and Fleet Line Markers.
This new partnership will see a range of benefits for grassroots football in Northamptonshire, including:
- Free Kombi Classic line marking machine and 3 tubs of Super-C line marking paint (worth over £1000) for the Grounds Team of the Year award winners
- 10 Litres of Super-C line marking paint (worth over £50) for the winners of our new PitchPower monthly prize draw
- Attendance at all Northamptonshire FA grass pitch improvement workshops
- Discounted prices for clubs affiliated to Northamptonshire FA on a range of line marking paints
- Further discounts for clubs/sites in Northamptonshire receiving the Football Foundation’s Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund
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