FOOTBALL FOR BETTER MINDS

December 17, 2023

Football for Better Minds is Hampshire FA’s commitment to build a future where individuals facing mental health challenges are offered the support and respect they deserve.


We recognise the vital role that volunteers play in our football community, and we want to ensure that everyone involved feels equipped to cope with mental health issues both on and off the pitch.


We believe that Football for Better Minds has the potential to make a significant impact on mental health support within our football community, and we hope you share our enthusiasm for this important initiative.


Project Highlights


Over the course of the 2023/24 season, we are offering volunteers, coaches, secretaries, players, and officers of grassroots football clubs and leagues in Hampshire the opportunity to obtain a Mental Health Champion qualification, accredited by Mental Health First Aid England, and delivered in partnership with Havant & East Hants Mind.

Registration Details


To register for the Mental Health Champion course, please choose from the following available dates:


  1. 19th/22nd January 2024 – 9:30am – 12:30pm (Online - Zoom)
  2. 15th February – 9:30am – 4:30pm (Winklebury Football Complex)
  3. 15th March – 9:30am – 4:30pm (Front Lawn Community Hub)
  4. 30th April / 7th May – 5:30pm – 8:30pm (Online - Zoom)

 

For more information about the Football for Better Minds program, visit Hampshire FA's 'Football For Better Minds' website.

 

To register, please visit our registration page


For further information, please contact: Alienor.Chartier@Hampshirefa.com.

PLAY-OFFS 2025/26

October 13, 2025
We can confirm play-off dates for 2025/26 are as follows: PREMIER DIVISION Last game of the season Saturday, 18th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 21st April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 22nd April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 25th April (3pm k.o) DIVISION ONE Last game of the season Saturday, 25th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 28th April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 29th April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 2nd May (3pm k.o) As normal in the play-offs, play-off ties will take place at the ground of the club finishing highest in the regular season.

BILLY VIGAR - IN MEMORIUM

September 26, 2025
The Velocity Wessex League extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and team mates of Billy Vigar, following the 21-year-old's recent passing. The former Arsenal academy striker was placed into an induced coma after suffering a serious brain injury while playing for Chichester City FC, and tragically passed away in hospital. We fully support member clubs who wish to observe a minute of silence - or applause - ahead of their games this weekend, as a mark of respect and in tribute to Billy.

FA VASE FIRST ROUND DRAW

September 23, 2025
The draw for the first round of the Isuzu FA Vase has taken place with our 14 remaining Wessex League sides featuring as follows: AFC Aldermaston v Infinity Amesbury Town v Highworth Town Bearsted v Cowes Sports Bridgwater United v Hythe & Dibden Cirencester Town v Millbrook Cove v Snodland Town Downton v Sidmouth Town Ivybridge v Totton & Eling Malmesbury Victoria v Portland United Penzance v Hamworthy Recreation Reading City v Baffins Milton Rovers Sherborne Town v Hamworthy United Whitchurch United v Windsor & Eton Ties to be played on Saturday, October 18. Prize money of £825 goes to the round winners, with £250 to the losing sides. The full draw can be viewed here . Article Photo: Baffins Milton Rovers and Hythe & Dibden both face away tasks in the Vase draw at Reading City and Bridgwater Town respectively (Photo: Ian Grainger)

AUGUST - CLUBS OF THE MONTH

September 15, 2025
Laverstock & Ford are our Premier Division 'Club of the Month' for August, following their exploits in the FA Cup, with progression into the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side also enjoyed progression in the FA Vase with victory at US Portsmouth, and commenced their League campaign with a 5-0 success over Baffins Milton Rovers.

LAVVY RELISH FA CUP DERBY DRAW

September 1, 2025
Laverstock & Ford fly the Velocity Wessex League flag in the Emirates FA Cup, with the Bulldog's 2-1 win at Hythe & Dibden earning a local derby against Salisbury in the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side came from behind to advance - and equal the club's best ever season in the Cup - courtesy of strikes from Archie Lovegrove and Chae Sykes which cancelled out Ollie Davies free-kick for the hosts. LISTEN - HEAR LIAM MCCONNELL'S FA CUP REACTION ON THE WESSEX LEAGUE PODCAST

HYTHE FACE BULLDOGS IN FA CUP

August 18, 2025
Hythe & Dibden will host Laverstock & Ford in an intriguing all-Wessex League tie, after the Premier Division rivals were drawn together in the FA Cup first round qualifying. It's a third home outing on the spin for Hythe, who have already dispatched fellow Wessex League sides Portland United and New Milton Town on their own patch to reach this stage for only the second time. Meanwhile the Bulldogs needed a replay and penalties to edge past Cowes Sports in the extra preliminary stage, before an impressive 2-0 victory on the road at former Wessex League champions, Horndean - now plying their trade in the Isthmian South Central. Laverstock have reached the first round qualifying in three of the last four seasons - and will be looking to emulate 2022/23 when they went one better, bowing out at the second round qualifying stage by a single goal at Taunton Town. AFC Stoneham are our third representative in the draw - they travel to Southern League Premier South side, Hungerford Town, following home victories over Fleet Town and Paulton Rovers (main picture). The Purps have also previously reached a club-best of the second round qualifying in each of the last two campaigns, with identical 1-7 defeats at higher-ranked Yeovil Town and Salisbury, respectively. Winners of the ties on August 30 will receive £2,250, with the losers netting £750. FA CUP - FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING - DRAW IN FULL Article Photo: Robin Caddy
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