Bryn Hughes, Nina Buckingham and Annette Nelson smiling at Camera at the FvH Awards.

National Recognition for Norfolk FA

Marketing & Communications
Norfolk County FA were recognised in the County FA category at the Football v Homophobia Awards last week.

National Recognition for Norfolk FA

Norfolk County FA were awarded second place in the County FA category at the Football v Homophobia Awards Ceremony last Friday at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

Advocacy, activism and allyship were all at the fore as attendees at the fifth annual Football v Homophobia Awards showed their appreciation for the year’s high achievers in LGBTQ+ inclusion. Football v Homophobia is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation gender identity and expression at all levels of football. They want football to take a clear stand against homophobia and transphobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game and so that football leads the way in removing discrimination and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Norfolk County FA were shortlisted in the top three nominees in the County FA category before the evening, alongside Staffordshire FA and Lincolnshire FA. The judging panel noted our County’s great work in relaunching the Inclusive Club Accreditation and the platform offered to LGBTQ+ people and allies through online content. The panel were impressed by a countywide social media initiative that encouraged those in the game to express their pride and how that translates to promoting equality and diversity.

Norfolk County FA Marketing & Communications Officer, Brynmor Hughes (left), Norfolk County FA Inclusion Lead, Nina Buckingham (centre) being presented the award by Football v Homophobia Education Lead, Annette Nelson (right)

Norfolk County FA Inclusion Lead, Nina Buckingham, said: “It was great to be recognised with this award for our work based around promoting inclusion and diversity within our local game.

"To be in a room with some of the most influential people within LGBTQ+ inclusion in the UK was humbling but also inspiring at the same time. Seeing the amazing work that other County Football Associations are doing around inclusion makes this award extra special. We will carry on striving to make Norfolk football a place where everyone feels welcomed and can enjoy our game in whatever capacity they choose.”

To read more about the evening, please click here.

To read more about Inclusion in #NorfolkFootball, please click here.