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.

VASE GLORY FOR STONEHAM

May 17, 2026
AFC Stoneham capped a historic campaign by beating Cockfosters in the Isuzu FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium. The Velocity Wessex League Premier Division champions triumphed 4-2 on penalties, after a ninety minutes of deadlock to conclude a quite remarkable season for James Phillips' side that yielded a total of four trophies.

CONSTITUTION - 2026/27

May 14, 2026
The FA have released NLS club allocations for Steps 1-6 (subject to appeal) for the 2026/27 season. It sees a return to the Wessex League Premier Division for Bashley, Fareham Town and Horndean - all rejoining us following their respective Step 4 relegations. Fleetlands make the step-up as champions of Division One, while Sturminster Newton United also feature following a lateral move from the Western League. Last season's champions, AFC Stoneham (Isthmian South Central) and runners-up, Portland United (Southern League South) have their promotions rubber-stamped. Wincanton Town are reprieved from relegation and take their place once more in the 22-team Premier Division.

PURPS ADD CUP DOUBLE

May 12, 2026
AFC Stoneham completed a quick-fire cup double to add to their Premier Division title, with victories in the Russell Cotes Cup and Southampton Senior Cups.

RAMS UPSET ROYALS IN PSC FINAL

May 9, 2026
Petersfield Town clinched the Portsmouth Senior Cup following a tense penalty shoot-out victory over AFC Portchester, on Friday night. Gav Spurway's Royals may wonder how this one got away, with the Isthmian South Central play-off side having the lions share of possession, while the Petersfield goal increasingly lived a charmed life as the game progressed.

MONKS LEAGUE CUP TRIUMPH

May 4, 2026
Hamble Club celebrated their second Velocity Wessex League Cup in three years after defeating Premier Division champions, AFC Stoneham by the odd goal in five at Downton on Bank Holiday Monday. Tyrrell Sampson put the Purps in the ascendency after fifteen, but it was short-lived as Matt Casey drilled home from the edge of the box shortly after to draw level. CUP FINAL - PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD Duarte Martins made no mistake from a loose ball to restore Stoneham's advantage going into the interval, before substitute, Chase Michel restored parity for a second time just before the hour mark with his first touch of the game.

YATELEY MARCH TO STEP 5

May 3, 2026
Yateley United's rise continued on Saturday, as they reached Step 5 for the first time in the club's short history in emphatic fashion, with 6-1 victory over Whitchurch United. A Wessex League season best crowd of 908 witnessed the Division One play-off final at Yateley's Sean Devereux Park - a venue hosting Step 7 football as recently as 2022/23 in the Thames Valley Premier. Read more in our latest Wessex Post Newsletter Both sides came through their respective midweek play-off semi-finals against Colden Common (2-1) and Folland Sports (0-1) respectively, but Yateley prevailed in the final courtesy of Lynford Sackey (2), Harvey Seeman, Tyler Robinson - and two in the closing moments from Josh Blackwood and Callum Scott to add gloss. James Batchelor's netted Whitchurch's reply with fifteen to go, to reduce the arrears to 3-1, but almost immediately after, Robinson restored the host's three-goal advantage. Our congratulations to Yateley United on your achievement, and commiserations to Whitchurch United. Photo: Greg Dickson
More Posts