TWO Suffolk FA projects were shortlisted at the County FA Recognition Awards.

Suffolk FA were shortlisted in the Positive Football Environment and Youth Engagement categories at the awards staged at Wembley Stadium.

More than 500 guests representing County FA’s from across the country, including 24 staff, Board and Youth Council members from Suffolk FA, attended the awards on Thursday evening.

Suffolk FA Football Services Manager Hayley Chart led on the Positive Football Environment project with colleague Mel Stickland.

The project was aimed at improving the playing environment for all participants by being positive bystanders and prioritising positive behaviour.

Four clubs agreed to take part in the pilot project – Beccles Town, Brandon Town, Coplestonians and Waveney – as they were keen to improve the playing environment at their clubs.

Hayley said: “We were so proud to be nominated for such a fantastic award and it was a great honour to be at Wembley Stadium to celebrate with all the wonderful finalists.

“Special thanks and recognition must go to my colleague Mel Stickland – this project was her vision for supporting clubs and promoting positive playing environments.

“Together with the National Working Group, we brought the project to life and we are incredibly proud of not only what we produced, but also the impact this has had on the pilot clubs who took part for the better.

“It’s great to be able to do something positive and support our grassroots clubs.”

The project will be rolled out to other clubs who are identified as having poor behaviour as part of the County FA’s new four-year strategy.

Football Development Officer James Morley led on the Youth Engagement project which set out to gather the youth voice in Suffolk.

Members of the staff and the Youth Council used surveys and discussions with young people to help shape future work.

James said: “We collected 150 individual accounts from young people across Suffolk.

“Young people are the next generation and future leaders in the county and being able to understand their ideas is really important.

“It was great to be shortlisted for the award and have an opportunity to win. Unfortunately, we were not successful this year, but it gives us extra motivation to carry on and have another go next year.”

Suffolk FA staff (centre left to right) Hayley Chart, James Morley and Mel Stickland are pictured at the County FA Recognition Awards at Wembley Stadium with Youth Council members Ollie Langner, Amy King George Rampling, Maddie Gardiner, Charlie Lloyd and Jamie Besford.