Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA), the not-for-profit governing body for football in Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire, has partnered with WeAre8 – The People’s Platform to boost grassroots football and support a healthier, more positive experience for players and fans alike.
The partnership has the potential to involve and benefit each of BCFA’s 900 clubs (representing 5900 teams) and kicked off with WeAre8 sponsoring the Birmingham County FA Women's Challenge Cup final on Tuesday, April 29. Annette Stephens from WeAre8 presented the trophy to the successful West Bromwich Albion squad along with mementos for the Player of the Match, match officials and Club volunteers. WeAre8 is also powering BCFA’s Women’s Challenge Cup competition in its entirety throughout the 25-26 season.
Exclusive content from the final is available only on WeAre8, including exclusive interviews with players, officials, managers and VIPs. Additionally, BCFA has been integrated into the WeAre8 digital wallet, enabling fans to pay forward their earnings from watching ads on the platform.
As part of the partnership, WeAre8 will fund a dedicated referee training course exclusively for women, supporting 12 participants to become fully qualified officials. In addition, all 126 currently serving female referees within the BCFA will be provided with WeAre8-branded kit bags, recognising their contribution to the game and ensuring they are equipped for the season ahead.
WeAre8 will further deepen its support for grassroots football through the launch of the Heroes & Legends awards—an initiative designed to boost positive community engagement and shine a spotlight on the unsung stars of the game.
As part of this initiative, members of the BCFA community are invited to create a club profile on WeAre8 and share inspiring videos or stories that celebrate their players, teams, volunteer workforce and wider club achievements. Every month, participants will also have the chance to win exciting prizes, adding a fun and rewarding dimension to telling their club’s story.
Social media is part of the fabric of football now—whether it's players connecting with fans, clubs building their brand or supporters debating match highlights. But just like in the wider world, there's growing concern within the game about the rising levels of toxicity online, the lack of moderation on the most popular platforms, and the challenges of cutting through algorithmic-driven content to make genuinely valued connections in a safe environment for all.
WeAre8 turns traditional models of social media on their head. On WeAre8, people are protected from toxic content, and - with no controlling algorithms - you’re guaranteed to see posts from the people you choose to follow and vice versa. Meanwhile, advertising is served up separately and not in the content feeds , so you can opt in or opt out of watching ads. If you do choose to watch an ad on the platform, the revenue is shared with you and you can then use it or donate to your chosen charities and good causes.
“We are delighted to partner with WeAre8 which will see an increased investment into specific grassroots activity and support our prestigious Women’s Challenge Cup competition.
This exciting and unique partnership will run throughout the 25-26 season and we hope players, club and league officials, supporters and volunteers will register and use this fabulous social media platform especially in an era when online abuse and discrimination is increasing on many of the online channels and at a time when BCFA and the FA is trying to improve on and off-field behaviour throughout and across all levels of the game”
Kevin Shoemake, CEO, Birmingham County Football Association
“Social media has become part of the football experience now. But in the process of building a community around the sport they love, people often have to deal with online toxicity, algorithmic frustrations, and business models that work against their best interests. BCFA’s partnership with WeAre8 aims to boost grassroots football and empower our members to help reshape the future of social media and social culture.”
Zoe Kalar, Founder & CEO, WeAre8
WeAre8 Launches ‘Help Button’ to Prioritize Mental Health
WeAre8 is putting mental health first with its new Help Button feature, offering instant, free, and confidential support through a global network of trusted services.
With just one tap, users can access help for anxiety, loneliness, grief, and more—wherever they are.
Real Help, Right When You Need It
Powered by global support network ThroughLine, the feature connects users to helplines and chat services in over 100 countries.
Key Features:
WeAre8 already empowers users to reclaim their digital space by rewarding positive engagement. Now, with the Help Button, it strengthens its mission to build a truly caring online community.
