Lincolnshire FA is delighted to announce that our Veo Goal of the Month initiative has been shortlisted for a 2024 County FA Recognition Award in the Partnership category.

This nomination is a testament to the success of the initiative, which was designed to engage players and provide them with recognition for their achievements on the pitch.

Launched in February 2024 in partnership with Veo, a leading technology company known for its cutting-edge football cameras, the initiative aimed to build stronger relationships with our playing community. Players often felt disconnected from County FAs, associating us primarily with fines and regulations rather than positive recognition. By creating a campaign that celebrated players' goals—the moments they cherish most—we hoped to change those perceptions and improve our relationships with players across the county.

The Veo Goal of the Month award encouraged teams and individuals from all Lincolnshire FA affiliated clubs to submit videos of their goals, whether captured on a Veo camera or any other device. Submissions flooded in via social media and email, with clubs and media volunteers promoting the campaign using the hashtag #LFAVeoGOTM.

The initiative quickly gained momentum, drawing impressive engagement:

• 90 goals submitted from teams across various pathways (Youth, Open Age, Male, Female, and Disability)
  
  
• 2,772 votes cast in four monthly public ballots
  
  
• Over 129,000 social media impressions and 53,000 engagements
  
  
• More than 7,500 views on TikTok, engaging the 13-18 age demographic

The success of the campaign was driven by Veo’s backing and the promotion of their products. The initiative also fostered a deeper connection with our audience, evidenced by a 40% email open rate and a 2.6% click rate, surpassing our average player engagement.

Veo’s involvement in the campaign added a professional touch that grassroots players crave. Their partnership not only amplified the campaign’s reach but also proved valuable to them, generating 52 enquiries and resulting in four purchases of Veo cameras by clubs within the county.

The positive reception from players and stakeholders alike has been overwhelming, with comments like, "Wish we had this back in the day," highlighting the excitement it has generated.

Looking ahead, we plan to extend the initiative into a Goal of the Season campaign, where monthly winners and additional standout submissions will be shortlisted for a grand prize. The success of Veo Goal of the Month has also inspired us to develop other monthly awards, such as Save of the Month, Match Official of the Month, and Volunteer of the Month, to continue recognising the contributions of players, referees, coaches, and volunteers across Lincolnshire.

The Veo Goal of the Month initiative has not only enhanced player engagement but has also demonstrated the power of strategic partnerships. We’re excited to continue building on this success and grateful to have been recognised by the County FA Recognition Awards.

Zack Leader, Media, Marketing & Events Officer at Lincolnshire FA, said: “The Veo Goal of the Month initiative has been a fantastic way for us to connect with players and celebrate their incredible moments on the pitch. It’s been amazing to see the level of engagement and the enthusiasm from across Lincolnshire. By giving players the recognition they deserve, we’ve not only strengthened our relationship with them but also shown how important their contributions are to the grassroots game. This partnership with Veo has brought a professional touch to grassroots football, and we’re excited to see it grow in the future.

Being shortlisted for the 2024 County FA Recognition Award in the Partnership category is an incredible honour. It’s a testament to the hard work and creativity that’s gone into making this project a success, and we’re proud to have created something that genuinely resonates with our players. This recognition highlights the positive impact we’re having at grassroots level, and it motivates us to keep pushing boundaries and finding new ways to engage with our football community."