A BRAND-new Thriving Community Club Conference, hosted by the Essex County FA, is taking place on Saturday 30th May 2026 at New Hall School in Chelmsford, bringing together clubs from across the county for a day designed to connect, collaborate and thrive.

This innovative event will provide a dynamic platform for grassroots clubs to engage with leading voices from across the game, explore innovative ideas and gain practical support to help their organisations grow, both on and off the pitch. The conference will feature an outstanding line-up of guest speakers and contributors from across the football landscape.

Hosted by talkSPORT and BBC Sport presenter, Charlotte Richardson, the day will include insight from high-profile figures such as Kate Longhurst, Freya Godfrey, Lyndon Lynch, Bebe Jackson, Pete Sturgess and Tom Sibthorpe, each bringing unique expertise across different areas of the game.

Through a mixture of presentations, question and answer sessions and practical demonstrations, attendees will gain valuable knowledge to support their club’s long-term development. The event will focus on several key themes which are central to the future of grassroots football:

Growing Female Participation: increasing visibility and opportunities for women and girls in the game
Creating Inclusive Environments: strengthening disability provision and accessibility within clubs
Developing Coaching Behaviours: delivering positive, player-centred experiences through ‘FutureFit’ approaches
Youth Engagement: supporting structured participation and volunteering pathways, including FA initiatives and the Jack Petchey Foundation
National League System Club Support: covering fan engagement, marketing, facility funding and operational best practice
Social Value Impact: helping clubs to demonstrate their community value, build partnerships and maximise local impact

These sessions underline the Essex County FA’s commitment to supporting clubs across every aspect of their journey – from participation and coaching to facilities and community engagement. In addition to the learning programme, clubs will have access to a dedicated marketplace area, offering the chance to connect with football industry organisations, suppliers and partners.

This includes providers of facility development advice, equipment suppliers, pitch maintenance consultants, charity partners and the Essex County FA’s own Youth Forum. The collaborative environment will enable clubs to gather valuable contacts and discover new opportunities to enhance their offer.

The Thriving Community Club Conference represents a significant step forward in the Essex County FA’s ongoing work to support sustainable, forward-thinking clubs aligned with the #MovingForward Strategy 2028 vision of: “Creating a united #EssexFootball environment that tackles inequalities, delivers inspirational football opportunities and improves health For All.”

Club and Community Officer, Jason Levy said: “We are delighted to be hosting our first conference and to have secured such a strong and diverse panel of speakers. This event will provide clubs with a fantastic opportunity to learn, share and explore new ways to grow within their communities. By focusing on key themes such as inclusion, youth engagement and coaching development, we’re committed to helping clubs not only to succeed, but to truly thrive.”

Get involved! Places are currently available to England Football Two and Three-Star Accredited and FA National League System clubs. To find out more, visit www.essexfa.com or, to express your interest in attending, please contact Jason Levy via [email protected] or Danny Adderson via [email protected].