Umbro vouchers won by keen footballer and referee from Somerset.
Sophie Freeman, one of the 500 leaders that took part in a piece of research for The FA Leadership & Volunteering Programme, was randomly selected as the competition winner recently and landed Umbro and iTunes vouchers.
The purpose of the survey was to consult with young people on their thoughts around the marketing that was used to promote the Programme as well as the opportunities that they would like to access. The findings have since been used to develop The FA’s new Football Futures programme, which will be launched for the 2011-12 season, and is aimed at recruiting young people into volunteering in football across a range of activities.
Speaking about her win, Sophie said: “It was amazing when I found out I’d won the competition, the prizes are great. The Umbro vouchers will be used to get some new football kit and equipment and I will make some purchases on iTunes too.”
Sophie recalled receiving an e-mail from the Somerset FA requesting her to complete the online questionnaire, but didn’t think anything would come of it.
A keen footballer, who plays for Keynsham Town Ladies Reserves and has represented Somerset FA at U18 level and as a youngster in the Somerset FA Girl’s Centre of Excellence Programme, Sophie also keeps herself busy each weekend as an active female referee in the Woodspring Junior League in North Somerset where she is highly regarded as a talented young female referee by the league and the County FA.
The Somerset FA were also quick to pay tribute, with acting County Development Manager Sarah Lawler stating: “Sophie is a deserving winner as she is so active in the game as a player and as a referee.
“We are also really pleased to see that over 200 young people involved football from our county took part in the online survey and look forward to supporting them through The FA Football Futures programme.”
If you are interested in gaining more information about Football Futures on a local basis, contact your County Football Development Officer by
clicking here.
