Niall Stokoe

An introduction from our new Chairman and a COVID-19 Army FA Update

You will have seen the Social Media posts announcing my assumption of the Chairman’s position for the Army Football Association.

Dear Football Fraternity,

You will have seen the Social Media posts announcing my assumption of the Chairman’s position for the Army Football Association.  I am absolutely thrilled to have been selected and it will be an enormous privilege to continue the excellent work that my predecessor, Maj Gen ‘Mitch’ Mitchell, has driven into the beautiful game over the last decade; we will celebrate his immense contribution once we emerge from the current COVID-19 dictated situation.

 By way of first announcements, which you won’t be surprised to hear are all impacted by the current COVID-19 battle, I thought we’d provide some clarity on where we are with the leagues and cup competitions that were in flight when we went in to lockdown.  It is our intention to bring all cup competitions to their natural conclusion, i.e. all seen through to the completion of cup finals.  This would see no more than 12 games being played, ideally before the end of the ‘current season’ or as a curtain raiser for the next.  With regards to the leagues that remain unfinished we intend to follow the Governing Body’s direction and cease leagues with immediate effect.  There will therefore be no league winners, runner-up etc and no promotions or relegations.  This applies across all levels of the game within the Army.

You will also find an update on courses, be they coaching or officials focussed and some reassurance regarding support to those who need to complete continuation training and how to apply for extensions. 

I look forward to working with you all over the coming years and driving the Trustees and the Executive committee to continue developing Army Football across every single tier, be that male, female, regular, reserve, representational, Corps or within units.

Yours, in Football,

Niall,

Brig N M STOKOE OBE

Chairman Army Football Association.

 

Army FA Update- 07 May 20

Army FA Offices

Whilst the Army Football Association offices remain closed, which is in line with the Army Sports Control Board directive and Government policy on social distancing, the staff will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future but maintaining the support that you all need; the team have access to IT so please continue to email in any requests or RFIs you might have. With regards to the current status of Army Football please note the following information:

2019/20 League Competitions

In line with
the current governing body advice all grass roots league football for the 2019/20 season, which includes the Massey and Women’s Corps leagues, plus the regional leagues are to cease and be declared null and void. There will be no promotion or relegation from any league competition.

2019/20 Army FA
Cup Competitions

It is
the aim of the Association to complete the following cup competitions:

Challenge Cup Major Units
Minor Units Cup
Reserve Cup
Men’s Corps (Woolwich)
Women’s Corps (Edwards)

Whilst this is the current direction for the Army FA it will, of course, be dependent on further advice from the Governing Body and the ASCB.  If it becomes apparent, at a later date, that the completion of these competitions would not be feasible and potentially stretch too far into the 2020/21 season a new directive will be issuedAll other intra-Corps and unit cups (including regional) and small sided competitions are to be made null and void.


2019/20 Inter Services

A decision regarding the completion of the 2019/20 Inter Services competition will be made by the UKAF Committee in due course. This is not Army FA led.

2020 Annual Awards Dinner


The 2020 Annual Awards Dinner, scheduled for June, has been postponed. Plans will be made to re-arrange a new date once there is further clarity with regards to COVID-19 restrictions.

Football Development

All courses up to and including August 2020 are cancelled. We intend to provide a level of support to all learners that have attended Army FA courses and are still in date for completing the Level 2 or 3 courses during this suspension of football activities (extensions of time to complete will be available).  Teaching blocks and support visits are suspended until further notice, so dates for continuation of last season’s courses and starting dates for next seasons courses will be promulgated as soon as the go ahead to resume is provided by the governing body.

For any further advice, questions or support please contact Steve Stone
steve.stone@armyfa.com

Referees

All referee courses are also cancelled. New dates will be issued once the governing body has lifted the current sanctions.