Playing in goal is a thankless task (Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)

Latest news from the Essex FA

Essex has around 1,600 clubs, 4,700 teams, 1,800 referees and thousands of volunteers - and every single one has the chance to give their opinions on how their local county FA is performing.

The latest online stakeholder questionnaire runs until Sunday March 31 at www.essexfa.com and players, match officials, leagues and coaches all have another chance to provide feedback on how their association is developing and governing the grassroots football during the latest window.

There are opportunities to suggest how to continue improving everybody’s sporting experience, as well as highlighting the strengths of the current set-up.

In this quarter four new questions have been added to provide more insight into participants’ experiences. These include the roles the respondent undertakes, and where they find information relating to it. The answers to the questions are collated and used to develop future strategies, as well as giving an indication on levels of performance.

By developing clubs throughout the area, as well as acting as their governing body, the Essex FA works mostly amongst the amateur sector of football, looking for new participants and ensuring the game is safe and enjoyable for all. The Development Team provides coaching and funding to children and adults throughout the area.

Included within this sphere is the award of the FA Charter Standard, progressing female football, the promotion of minority groups within the game and the running of a series of courses and workshops to aid coaching standards. Strategies are in place to continue work in both the short and long terms, and the Governance Team are also on hand between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, to provide a helping hand for volunteers.

Essex’s county cup competitions are organised every campaign - and are nearing their climax for 2012/13 - while representative teams are fielded to face other counties at Under-18s, Under-16s and women’s levels.

The county’s 1,800-strong referee list and schools football are coordinated as well, in addition to welfare case management and safeguarding children.

Essex FA chief executive Phil Sammons said: “We rely on feedback from our dedicated football workforce to tell us where we can improve and ensure we’re providing the best possible service. Previous surveys have shaped local and national football strategies and it’s crucial that we continue to monitor what’s happening on an ongoing basis.”

“It’s our role to make sure as many people in Essex are playing the game, and that the people already in football are enjoying a safe and rewarding involvement. We’ve found that participation in many areas is up and that the figures for referees and coaches locally are encouraging, so it’s vital that we continue to strive for betterment in our sport.”

The survey can be accessed at www.essexfa.com.