Leicestershire & Rutland County FA

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 🗞️

We bid a fond farewell to Nathan Matthie and Zoe Boon, who are both leaving Leicestershire & Rutland County FA after joining the organisation in 2023.

As our Marketing & Communications Officer, Nathan has led the delivery of communications across social media, the website, email marketing, press and video. He has played an important role in sharing the stories of grassroots football across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, while promoting the County FA’s programmes, events and the achievements of our football community.

Highlights from Nathan’s time with the County FA include developing the Coach Spotlight series, supporting inclusive campaigns such as Faith in the Game and Black History Month, and playing a major role in producing the Recognition Awards at Athena.

And yes, Nathan is writing this post about himself in the third person, which might be his most difficult communications task yet! 😅

Zoe has held several roles during her time with the County FA, originally joining as Volunteer Coordinator before progressing to become Club Development Lead. In this role, she has supported clubs to identify their priorities, become more sustainable and inclusive, and reach their full potential.

Alongside her club development work, Zoe has served as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer. She was also involved in our Discrimination, Investigation and Mediation Support Officer work, helping to raise awareness of discrimination and its impact through education across the grassroots football community.

Zoe has also led our Young Leaders Programme, creating opportunities for young people to develop through football and helping to build a strong network of future leaders.

A huge 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to Nathan and Zoe for their dedication, creativity and passion during their time with us. We wish them both every success in their exciting next chapters! 🙌👏

🏆 A HUGE congratulations to Dave Edwards of AFC Market Bosworth Football Club, who has been crowned the national Grassroots Coach of the Year for the Male Pathway!

After receiving the County FA award at our Recognition Awards in July, Dave went on to earn national recognition and celebrated this incredible achievement with his family at last weekend’s Community Shield in Cardiff.

Dave has dedicated more than 14 years to grassroots football, guiding the same group of players from under-5s through to under-18s. He also founded the girls’ section at AFC Market Bosworth, which has grown to include 10 teams from under-7s through to women’s football.

His commitment to inclusion, player development and creating opportunities for young people has made a lasting difference to countless players and families.

Dave is a true credit to grassroots football across Leicestershire, and we could not be prouder!

Join us in celebrating Dave and his fantastic achievement! 👏🏆⚽

⏰ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆!

Applications for new spaces on the Leicestershire & Rutland County FA Football Council close soon!

Help represent the grassroots game, share your experience and influence the future of football across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

📅 Deadline: Wednesday 19 August 2026

Find out more and apply here: https://www.calameo.com/esports-media/read/001230235a565b778c397?authid=tGwTqunDLlgL

🤝 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀!

The partnership will help clubs across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland access specialist support to improve their facilities, including opportunities for women and girls through the Lioness Here To Play Fund. ⚽

Find out more: https://www.leicestershirefa.com/news/2026/aug/18/lrcfa-partners-with-total-grassroots

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝟭𝟭–𝟭𝟱?

The Leicestershire Lionesses Leadership Academy, delivered in collaboration with the Leicestershire Women and Girls Football League, gives young girls the opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills and explore pathways in football.

With just 15 spaces available, this is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of female leaders to discover their pathway in football.

👉 Find out more and register your interest: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/eHWuq1XmqP

Registration must be completed by a parent or guardian.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗜𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥! 👀⚽

Veo’s live Launch Show is just a few days away, and this is your last chance to sign up.

The upcoming announcement has the potential to take grassroots coaching to the next level.

📅 Tuesday 18th August
⏰ 7pm UK time
🎟️ Free to attend

🔗 Sign up: https://get.veo.co/launch/leicestershire-fa

🌱 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁

With prolonged dry weather affecting pitches across the country, the Football Foundation has produced new guidance to help clubs, leagues and match officials assess playing conditions consistently and manage grass pitch use safely during drought periods.

The guidance outlines key considerations to protect player welfare, safeguard facilities and support informed decision making. Read more here: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/support-article/football-pitch-care-dry-weather-drought-guidance

Make your club more inclusive with Leicestershire and Rutland County FA.

By running Just Play sessions, you can create welcoming opportunities for disabled people in your community to enjoy football in a supportive, inclusive environment.

⚽ Football for everyone, right on your doorstep.

👉 Become a Provider today:
https://www.englandfootball.com/participate/England-Football-Providers