Shropshire FA launches business football league to support employee wellbeing 

Shropshire FA has announced the launch of a five-a-side business football league, developed in partnership with Shrewsbury Town Foundation, aimed at encouraging employee wellbeing, physical activity and social connection among local workplaces. 

The league will begin on Thursday 5 February 2025 and will run for 15 weeks, with matches played every Thursday evening at the Shrewsbury Town Foundation five-a-side pods. Games will kick off at either 8.00 pm or 8.45 pm, with squads limited to a maximum of eight players per match. Teams will pay a weekly fee of £50, and all fixtures will be officiated by affiliated referees. 

While workplace wellbeing initiatives are often framed around policies, benefits or individual behaviour change, the organisers say the league is intended to provide a structured, collective activity that builds regular movement and social interaction into the working week. Research consistently links physical activity and social connection with improved mental health, reduced stress and stronger team cohesion, yet many employees report limited opportunities to engage in during the working week. 

By positioning physical activity as a shared team commitment, rather than an individual responsibility, the league reflects a growing shift in how organisations approach employee health. Group-based activities can reduce barriers to participation, particularly for employees who may feel isolated, inactive or disengaged at work. 

Andy Weston, chief executive of Shropshire FA, said: “This league is an excellent opportunity for companies to invest in their employees’ wellbeing while having fun and building camaraderie on the pitch.” 

The league is open to businesses across Shropshire, with places limited. Shropshire FA said there has already been early interest from local companies. 

Organisers say the format is designed to be accessible for workplaces of different sizes, with evening fixtures intended to fit around standard working hours. The collaboration with Shrewsbury Town Foundation also places the league within an established community sports setting rather than a commercial environment.