Nottinghamshire Football Association [FA] has landed the Special Recognition Award at the 2023 County FA Recognition Awards for its Gender Equality – White Ribbon Accreditation Project.

The Awards, which were hosted at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, 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 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

Nottinghamshire FA was handed the Special Recognition Award for its Gender Equality – White Ribbon Accreditation Project. Nottinghamshire FA is the first County Football Association to achieve White Ribbon Accreditation and have worked with White Ribbon UK and local charity partner, Broxtowe Women’s Project to raise awareness of domestic violence against women and girls.

Nottinghamshire FA CEO, Elaine Oram said: “We are delighted to have won this award and be recognised for our work around gender equality and being the first County Football Association to achieve White Ribbon Accreditation.

We have been sharing the message around gender equality across the county and we are committed to working towards ending men’s violence against women and girls.

Whilst we are proud of the work done so far, we are keen to move forward with this and use our position within the local community to raise awareness, to inform and to educate, working with White Ribbon and Broxtowe Women’s Project.”

The FA’s Head of Operations for Grassroots Football, Tim Foster added: "It has been brilliant to celebrate the tremendous work that takes place across all of our County FAs.

"The projects submitted into this year’s County FA Recognition Awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication across our County FA network which works tirelessly to deliver grassroots football to the communities in which they serve.

"My congratulations go to all of the winners, and to everyone involved in delivering new and innovative projects to grow and enhance the grassroots game."

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