Suffolk Football Association

INSPIRING grassroots volunteers were saluted at this year’s Suffolk FA Awards Ceremony sponsored by McDonald’s. Around 80 guests attended the event at Venue16 in Ipswich on Thursday night when the England Football Grassroots Awards winners for 2026 were celebrated. Five Referees, who have clocked up 175 years between them, received Long Service awards and three former Suffolk FA Board members were presented with Long Service Recognition awards.

RANSOMES Sports were convincing winners of this season’s Suffolk Champions Charity Shield. The Parkers Pitches Suffolk Junior Cup holders defeated Laxfield, last season’s McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup winners, 8-0 in Friday’s match at Needham Market FC. Laxfield, who play three leagues below Ransomes Sports, held their own until the 21st minute when Josh Hubert opened the scoring with a header from Ethan Clarke’s right-wing cross.

SUFFOLK FA have renewed their partnership with TeamFeePay for the 2026-27 season. TeamFeePay will continue to be the official Suffolk FA Club Support Partner, reinforcing a shared commitment to helping grassroots clubs thrive. Through the renewed partnership, TFP will continue supporting grassroots football in Suffolk as Headline Sponsor of the Thriving Community Club Conference, and supporter of the Volunteer of the Month campaign.

SUFFOLK FA have a vacancy for a Designated Safeguarding Officer. We are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable Designated Safeguarding Officer to drive the organisation’s function and deliver Suffolk FA’s Safeguarding responsibilities and duties. The Designated Safeguarding Officer role is a vital and important role that is responsible for delivering Suffolk FA’s safeguarding function.

SUFFOLK FA have been shortlisted in two categories for the County FA Recognition Awards 2026. The county have been shortlisted in the Facility Development and Partnerships categories. The winners will be announced at an Awards Night at Wembley Stadium in November. Barnards Meadow Football Centre in Lowestoft has been shortlisted in the Facility Development category.

LAXFIELD face a ‘massive challenge’ in Friday’s Suffolk Champions Charity Shield. Last season’s McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup winners meet Ransomes Sports, holders of the Parkers Pitches Suffolk Junior Cup, at Needham Market FC, kick-off 7.45pm. The two clubs have this season chosen the charities they wish to support – Laxfield have selected the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Ransomes Sports will be supporting Prostate Cancer UK and Candles Down Syndrome Support Group.

SUFFOLK FA are recruiting casual facility assistants for Barnards Meadow Football Centre in Lowestoft. A number of Facility Assistants are required to support the operational management and efficient day-to-day operations of Barnards Meadow. The successful candidates will open, close and operate the facility during operational hours, liaise with customers and undertake facility management responsibilities including, daily, weekly and monthly check lists.

HOLDERS Halesworth Town have received a bye in the first-round draw for this season’s JLS Catering Group Suffolk Senior Cup. They will be the only one of the 33 teams entered in this season’s competition who will not be in action in the opening round. Newcomers Ransomes Sports, who won last season’s Parkers Pitches Suffolk Junior Cup, will be away to fellow Gateway 14 SIL Premier Division side Grundisburgh.

HOLDERS Needham Market will travel to Lowestoft Town in the first round of this season’s Suffolk Premier Cup. With 17 teams taking part in this season’s competition, the match will be the only first-round tie. The winners will then be away to Haverhill Rovers in round two. Felixstowe & Walton United, last season’s losing finalists, will be at home to Ipswich Wanderers in the second round.

SUFFOLK FA have organised a series of coaching workshops across the 2026-27 season.