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STADIUM ACCREDITATION PROGRAMME

June 28, 2023

The FA and the Premier League has joined forces to launch a new Stadium Accreditation Programme for clubs that compete in the National League System.


Following an 18-month period of consultation and extensive research with key stakeholders across the game, it has been agreed that from this summer, the Premier League Stadium Fund will begin collecting ground-grading data for The FA at all of the stadiums used within the National League System.


The process will be digitised for the first time since the ground-grading process was introduced over 15 years ago through the creation of a new digital tool, 'StadiumPower'.


StadiumPower will enable The FA to have a holistic view of the quality of facilities across the game for the first time and will be better placed to understand some of the challenges that both clubs and leagues face nationwide.


For the Premier League Stadium Fund, StadiumPower will provide far greater insight about stadiums which will help ensure the League’s investment is directed where it is needed the most. The new digital process will also allow clubs to keep track of the works required to their facility, as well as provide them with a live platform to report on any changes or improvement works that are carried out at their stadium.


The rollout of the new programme will begin in July with the aim of assessing every stadium across the country by the end of the year. More details on the rollout plan of the new process and when each stadium will be visited will be shared with clubs and leagues over the coming weeks.


Laurence Jones, The FA’s Head of the National League System, said: “Ground grading is an important touch point between clubs, leagues and The FA, and is an area of the National League System that we have been looking to make enhancements on for some time. This project will enable the modernisation of the monitoring and compliance of the ground-grading process and it will provide the opportunity to take a strategic approach to facility development in the NLS.”


Mark Harris, The FA's Ground Grading Sub-Committee Chairman said: "We thank the Premier League Stadium Fund for taking on the important role of developing and administering the new Stadium Accreditation Programme, and having consulted with and presented to the NLS Leagues, they gave their unanimous support.”


Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation that delivers the Premier League Stadium Fund said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for the Premier League Stadium Fund, and we are delighted to be working closely with The FA on this project.


“From the research we carried out in 2021, modernising and digitising the ground-grading process was something that was raised regularly by clubs. By assuming responsibility for this work, not only can we ensure that Stadium Accreditation is carried out in an independent and consistent way, but it will also ensure that we are directing the funding where it is needed most.”


Article Photo: Paul Paxford

HOLDERS HOST SHOTS

February 5, 2025
AFC Portchester have received a home draw against Aldershot Town in the semi-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup. Gav Spurway's table-toppers are in a quest to make it back-to-back victories in the competition, will face the National League outfit - who saw off Tadley Calleva 6-1 to reach the last four. Portchester's path meanwhile has already included triumphs against opposition higher in the pyramid in Basingstoke and Havant & Waterlooville. There's further Velocity Wessex League representation in the other semi-final, with AFC Stoneham visiting either Hamble Club or Sholing. Hamble overcame Southampton's Academy 2-0 in the second round, while fellow Premier Division title-challengers, AFC Stoneham beat Winchester City by the odd goal of three to make this stage. Ties for those semi-finals are to be confirmed, however The Snows Stadium - home to AFC Totton - will host the final on Tuesday, April 15 (7.45pm). See our Fixtures page for updates. Photo: Nathan Lipsham

STREET EDGE PURPS IN VASE

February 2, 2025
Andover New Street's march in the Isuzu FA Vase continued on Saturday in a thrilling all-Velocity Wessex League last 16 encounter against AFC Stoneham. A crowds of 565 at Foxcotte Park saw Oliver Jenkins give Stoneham the lead on the quarter-hour - and that's how it stayed until late drama ensued; Greg Peel finding the target to level for New Street - three minutes into added time.

NEW STREET REINSTATED

January 26, 2025
Andover New Street have been reinstated into the Isuzu FA Vase (*subject to appeal) after Roman Glass St George fielded an ineligible player during their Fourth Round tie on January 11. An FA National League System board sub-committee met on Thursday, revealing that Roman Glass St George had fielded a player under suspension. Subject to Roman Glass St George's right to appeal, Street will host an all-Wessex tie in the last 16 of the competition - a record for both sides - on February 1, guaranteeing one a place in the quarter-finals. FA Vase - Full Draw

END OF SEASON DATES

January 9, 2025
Dates for the Velocity Wessex League Divisional play-offs and cup final for 2024/25 have been released, with details as follows: PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFFS Tuesday, April 2 (2nd v 5th) - 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, April 23 (3rd v 4th) - 7.45pm k.o Saturday, April 26 (Final @ venue of club finishing highest in regular season) - 3pm k.o DIVISION ONE Tuesday, April 29 (2nd v 5th) - 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, April 30 (3rd v 4th) - 7.45pm k.o Saturday, May 3 (Final @ venue of club finishing highest in regular season) - 3pm k.o CUP FINAL Monday, May 5 - Velocity Wessex League Cup Final (at AFC Portchester) - 3pm k.o

VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE CUP QF'S

January 5, 2025
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Velocity Wessex League Cup was made on Sunday during the Radio Show . Last season's winners, Hamble Club head to Hamworthy Recreation, while current Premier Division table-toppers, AFC Portchester, head over the Solent to East Cowes Victoria. An intriguing tie will take place at Cams Alders as Fareham Town host Division One leaders, New Milton Town, while Cove will be looking for another Premier Division scalp following their victory over Baffins Milton Rovers, as they head to Millbrook in the last eight. The full draw is below with dates of the ties to be confirmed. Keep an eye on our fixtures page or weekly newsletter for updates: East Cowes Victoria v AFC Portchester Fareham Town v New Milton Town Hamworthy Recreation v Hamble Club Millbrook v Cove Photo: Nathan Lipsham

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

December 22, 2024
As we come to the end of my first six months as the chair of the Velocity Wessex League, it is time to reflect on the season 2024-25 so far. The weather has been kind to us so far and most clubs have completed close to half of their league programme. Both the Premier Division and Division One have competitive battles at both the top and bottom of the tables and I am sure that the race for the title and play-off positions will be interesting right up to the final games. Special congratulations are offered to the three teams that remain in the FA Vase, namely AFC Stoneham, Andover New Street and Fareham Town. Whilst they all face difficult away ties on January 11, everyone in the League wishes them well and hope they can carry the Velocity Wessex League flag into the next round. Off the field, focus for clubs will have to be achieving FA ground accreditation by March 31, 2025. There is the threat of relegation for clubs that do not achieve accreditation, and the league do not want to lose any club on this basis, so please can I ask clubs to focus on getting the required work finished in good time so that promotion and relegation is only decided as it should be, on the field. If you require any assistance regarding ground accreditation, please do not hesitate to contact Ian Harley or myself. As we reach the end of 2024, I would like to thank my fellow league officers for the work they do on behalf of the league, and the time spent and knowledge they have to offer clubs does not go unnoticed. I would particularly like to thank the league secretary Steve Smith for his work and dedication to the role, and he has helped make my transition into the Chairman’s role go smoothly. As I thank the officers, I would like to pay tribute to the League President Dennis Challis who sadly passed away following a short illness recently. Dennis was a font of knowledge and support for me, and our thoughts are with his wife Val and his family at this time. I also thank and acknowledge the support of Joe, Will and the team at Velocity Sports, our main sponsor. Without their financial backing it would make running the league harder for both the league officers and clubs. I would also like to thank all club officers and volunteers for the work that they do to keep all clubs functioning to the standard required of a club within the FA’s National League System, it is appreciated. Finally, I would like to wish everyone in the Velocity Wessex League 'family' a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2025.  Nick Taplin Chairman Velocity Wessex League
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