Following on from a rigorous recruitment process in 2020, Staffordshire Football Association is delighted to welcome new Independent Board Member, Toyin Higgs to the Association, who will be the Safeguarding Champion on the Staffordshire FA Board of Directors. 

Toyin is an experienced non-executive board member with a wealth of safeguarding experience, previously holding the position of Safeguarding Champion at the Essex County Football Association and experiencing two safeguarding assessments whilst in post there.  She has also worked for the Staffordshire County Council as a District Lead supporting vulnerable children and their families. 

Toyin currently resides in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire and is employed as a City Integration Manager for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. In addition to her safeguarding experiences, Toyin has a general love of football and is also a UEFA B Licence qualified coach, previously employed by The Football Association. 

Staffordshire FA provide a range of safeguarding services and training to help create a safe & enjoyable football experience for everyone, ensuring that safeguarding requirements are met as part of the criteria for club membership, and supporting clubs to maintain those standards. Toyin’s role as Safeguarding Champion and her experience in this area, will bring significant added value our work carried out by our Designated Safeguarding Officer Jan Scott and the rest of the team. 

Adam Evans, CEO at Staffordshire FA: “I am delighted that we have appointed someone of Toyin’s calibre to this vital role on the Board. Toyin brings a wealth of experience and her appointment demonstrates the Association’s continued commitment to safeguarding the game within Staffordshire.”

Toyin added: “I’m really pleased and proud to be joining the team at Staffordshire FA. It’s pleasing to be able to ensure that football ‘is a force for good’ and I look forward to working with the Board and the rest of the team at Staffordshire FA.”

For further information on Safeguarding & Welfare in football in Staffordshire, please click here