We have been successfully shortlisted for the Brand Engagement Award at the 2023 County FA Recognition Awards for our Shoot, Shout, Share Campaign with Strakers Estate Agents.

The Awards, which will be announced at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Thursday 23 November 2023, 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.

A record breaking 242 submissions have been entered from the 50 County FAs operating across England, highlighting continuous improvements 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 were:

• 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

Wiltshire FA has made the final shortlist for the Brand Engagement Award for the #ShootShoutShare Campaign with Strakers Estate Agents which aims to raise awareness about safeguarding and communicate vital messages to keep everyone in football safe. With mascot Ron, and his troop, the campaign raises awareness as well as encouraging our community to think about their own mental health and wellbeing.

Designed by a young footballer, Ron shares information about staying safe and happy. He also encourages young people to:

• Shoot for their goals and believe in themselves
• Shout about any concerns - speak up and stay safe
• Share their thoughts – their voice matters

Ron wants to build his troop of Designated Safeguarding Officers, Welfare Officers and key partners so they can join the campaign and share messages to ensure young people know who they can speak to if they have any worries.

Sarah Thomas, Marketing and Communications Manager at Wiltshire FA said: "It is great to be shortlisted for this award. Safeguarding is embedded in everything that we do. Our #ShootShoutShare campaign allows us to communicate important messages in an engaging, consistent and clear way. With the aim to support Club Welfare Officers and communicate with young people our mascot, Ron, helps us to raise awareness opening up new ways to talk about and share safeguarding and wellbeing information."

The FA’s Head of Operations for Grassroots Football, Tim Foster added: “I’d like to congratulate Wiltshire FA in making the final shortlist for the Brand Engagement Award and all of the other shortlisted County FAs in what has been a record-breaking number of submissions this year.

It has been fantastic to see such a strong selection of programmes and projects entered across the twelve categories, and we look forward to hosting our County FAs at Wembley Stadium in November to thank them for all they do in serving our national game.”

Find out more about Ron

For more information on the work of County FAs, visit: https://www.englandfootball.com/explore/county-football-associations