To complete 2021/22 season affiliation, grassroots football clubs require Legal (Public) Liability and Personal Accident Insurance. The Essex County FA and specialist sports insurance brokers, Sportsguard, have agreed a new partnership to provide this cover.

For all eligible grassroots clubs arranging insurance through Sportsguard, the County FA will continue to pay 100% of the Legal Liability costs as part of their affiliation, as well as contributing 50% towards Personal Accident cover up to the minimum requirements.

Sportsguard were formed in 1989 with the primary focus of working with grassroots sports clubs. The family-owned business have since grown from modest beginnings to become one of the largest and most recognised sports brokers in the United Kingdom.

Sports insurance is Sportsguard’s primary business and focus - not just part of a larger portfolio - and they offer a practical solution in how they administer their schemes via the FA Whole Game System. It is a tried and tested method for its simplicity - club officials simply select a cover option on the ‘Products’ page and that is their job done.

As for players, Sportsguard have included a whole selection of additional benefits to the scheme on both the adult and youth policies to try and give the maximum level of protection. Sportsguard are dedicated to supporting players, teams, clubs and associations with their sports insurance needs. A dedicated page has been created on the Sportsguard website containing useful information and FAQs, which you can access here.

Essex County FA Chief Executive, Brendan Walshe, is delighted to welcome Sportsguard as official partners, explaining: “It’s with great pleasure that we’re able to confirm our partnership with Sportsguard, a well-recognised name in grassroots football.”

“Sportsguard have provided excellent insurance cover for clubs for decades and we look forward to Essex’s clubs benefiting from their considerable expertise and experience. In the modern game, it’s crucial that the relevant levels of cover are in place to protect players and everyone involved in grassroots games, and Sportsguard have a strong reputation for providing this.”

“We would like to thank Bluefin for their support and partnership in the preceding years, but we recognised the financial challenges facing clubs in the months ahead and wanted our members to benefit from the competitive pricing and insurance product offered by Sportsguard.”  

Richard Culley, Director of Sportsguard, added: “We’re delighted, and feel privileged, to partner with such a historic County FA. Some of the nation’s most recognised footballers have come from Essex and we’re proud to support grassroots football in the area. We welcome the Essex County FA, and their members, to our schemes and are proud to be working together from the 2021/22 season.”

“These types of policies are designed to help injured players when they need it most. Without adequate insurance, the players will suffer, so they need to be aware of the different options available. The highest level of cover in the Essex County FA scheme would cost under £10 per person, per year based on 18 players in the team. Monthly, it would be 83p per person.”