Team Lincolnshire Ambassador Wins at Lincolnshire Marketing Awards!

The awards, held at the stunning Cathedral Ballroom at The Doubletree by Hilton, Lincoln, brought together businesses and professionals from across the county to celebrate the very best in marketing, innovation, and growth. Hosted by Dan Temple of Cobalt Human Solutions, the evening shone a spotlight on the creativity, dedication, and community impact being delivered by organisations across Lincolnshire.

This year’s ceremony attracted a record number of entries, with an independent judging panel recognising outstanding achievements in business and marketing. Guests enjoyed a night of celebration, including live music from Alex Moore, mesmerising magic from Scott Perry, and a fun-filled photo booth experience courtesy of Photomatic. 

Why Lincolnshire FA Won

Winning the Corporate & Social Responsibility Award is a recognition of our continued commitment to using football as a force for positive change in the community. Over the past year, our marketing and media efforts have not only increased engagement but also delivered impactful initiatives across safeguarding, inclusion, recognition, education, and charity partnerships.

Highlights include:

• Safeguarding leadership through The FA’s Play Safe campaign and our innovative “Safe Shake” initiative, helping foster respectful matchday environments.

• The Positive Matchday Environment (PME) campaign, reducing spectator misconduct by 42% and serious safeguarding referrals by 35%, supported by national coverage on BBC Breakfast and ITV Calendar.

• Expanding volunteer recognition with record-breaking nominations (321) for the Grassroots Football Awards, with powerful video storytelling at the heart of the campaign.

• Trailblazing inclusion work, including support for Rainbow Laces, Football v Transphobia, and Black History Month.

• Partnership success with Veo Goal of the Month, driving 5,000+ votes, 850 new opt-ins, and over £4,000 in sales for grassroots clubs.

• Raising £10,000 for the British Heart Foundation through the “50 for 50” campaign, matchday raffles, and CPR awareness with the RevivR app.

Highly Commended: Best Use of Social Media

We are equally proud to have been Highly Commended in the Best Use of Social Media category. This recognition highlights our innovative approach to digital storytelling, which goes beyond promotion to educate, inspire, and lead conversations in grassroots football.

From platforming underrepresented voices and addressing serious issues such as safeguarding and discrimination, to celebrating grassroots heroes and unforgettable goals, our content has connected with audiences at scale. With 85,000+ engagements, 182,300 X video views, and 900 new email subscribers gained directly via social, our digital strategy continues to set new benchmarks for what a County FA can achieve online.

Looking Ahead

These awards are a testament to the collective efforts of our staff, volunteers, clubs, and partners, who share our belief that football should be inclusive, safe, and inspiring for everyone in Lincolnshire.

We are proud to be recognised among Lincolnshire’s leading organisations and remain committed to using the power of football to drive meaningful community impact across the county.

Zack Leader, Media, Marketing & Events Officer at Lincolnshire FA, said: 

“Winning the Corporate & Social Responsibility Award and being Highly Commended for our social media is a huge achievement for us as a County FA. These awards reflect the passion and creativity we put into our campaigns, but more importantly, the positive impact they’ve had on the grassroots football community. It’s a privilege to tell the stories of our clubs, volunteers, and players, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

Nick Hanson, CEO at Lincolnshire FA, said: 

“These awards are fantastic recognition of the hard work our team delivers every day to make football in Lincolnshire safer, more inclusive, and more inspiring. We’re proud that our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and community impact has been recognised beyond football, among the wider Lincolnshire business community. This is a moment of real pride for everyone connected with the Lincolnshire FA.”

Jake Longworth, Head of Partnerships & Engagement at Lincolnshire FA, said: 

“Partnerships are at the heart of everything we do, and these awards show the difference we can make when we collaborate with clubs, volunteers, and organisations across the county. By working together, we’re not just growing the game – we’re creating opportunities, building stronger communities, and ensuring football has a positive impact on people’s lives in Lincolnshire.”

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