it’s time to say
THANK YOU The Grassroots Football Awards are here for you to say thanks to all the people and organisations who give their time to make football happen… our awesome volunteers who give so much week-in weekout, rain or shine. We want to find the volunteers, clubs, leagues, officials, grounds teams and others who have stood out this season. We want to show they are appreciated by those around them. We’ll let everyone know they’ve been nominated via email, even just the time taken to say ‘thank you’ will make them feel like a winner.
What stood out
FOR YOU This year, we’ve made it easier than ever for people to nominate someone. We’ve simplified the questions to make sure they bring out the story so you can pick the best winners. We’re asking people to answer the following:
What do they do and who do they do it for? Describe the difference they’ve made to other’s lives. What makes them stand out so much for you to nominate them? We want people to share how they’re making football better for more people. There are 12 categories for the 2024 Grassroots Awards including the Bobby Moore Award. People can nominate as many people as they want, in any categories on the online portal. County FA staff can also nominate people into the Awards. Nominations are open from 16 February to 3 April.
your award
CATEGORIES Here are the list of the categories for 2024: Coach of the Year Female Pathway Coach of the Year Disability Pathway Coach of the Year Male Pathway Club of the Year League of the Year Match Official of the Year Young Volunteer of the Year New Volunteer of the Year Grounds Team of the Year Keeping Football Positive Award The Lioness Award The Bobby Moore Award Think about how they’re making football better for more people by: Improving the playing experience, and leading by example. Creating positive spaces and overcoming obstacles. Uniting people of any age, ethnicity and background, and unifying their community.
coach of the year
FEMALE PATHWAY We’re looking for a coach who’s inclusive, encouraging and inspiring for our female players. A coach who’s impressed you with how well they engage players. A coach who’s got a great story we should all know. In particular: A coach that volunteers at a 1, 2 or 3 star England Football Accredited club, or from an FA programme (e.g. Just Play, Weetabix Wildcats, Comets Disability Football) who has had a positive impact by: Helping female players enjoy the game and reach their full potential Creating a thriving learning environment for all. Helping players succeed in their respective game format. Being aware of their own motivations and behaviours.
“Marv and the team of coaches are amazing. They support and encourage the girls to play their best but also to have fun. They engage with both the girls and parents. Continuously organisin g events and team building exercis es. Fantastic club”
PLEASE NOTE - a winning coach must have: An in-date DBS and first aid. A commitment to ongoing CPD. (such as Introduction to Coaching Football, EE Playmaker or England Accredited Learning).
coach of the year
DISABILTY PATHWAY We’re looking for a coach who’s encouraging, inspiring and inclusive when and it matters most. A coach in disabled football who’s had a real impact in the 23/24 season. A coach you think has a great story to be told. What we’re looking for: A coach that volunteers at a 1, 2 or 3 star England Football Accredited club, or from an FA programme (e.g. Just Play, Weetabix Wildcats, Comets. Disability Football) who has had a positive impact by: Helping disabled players enjoy the game and reach their full potential. Creating a thriving learning environment for all Helping players succeed in their respective game format. Being aware of their own motivations and behaviours. PLEASE NOTE - a winning coach must have: An in-date DBS and first aid. A commitment to ongoing CPD. (such as Introduction to Coaching Football, EE Playmaker or England Accredited Learning).
“This year Ben and Sam were tasked with running the college ability counts football sessions. This involves them planning and delivering two sessions a week for students and coaching them at external competitions against other colleges across the region. Here, they organise weekly sessions with a variety of different drills and activities to help improve the players skills and technique. Ben and Sam have also started helping out with the Willow Tree Centre sessions which occur weekly and are for students with severe learning difficulties. This is beneficial to both students as it provides them with experience of coaching in a different style and to different players.”
coach of the year
MALE PATHWAY We’re looking for a coach who’s stood out by being encourging and inspiring for male players. A coach who’s engaged players in an impressive way. A coach who’s got a great story you’d like to share.
“I would like to show my apprec iation to Tyler Pickett, Randlay Colts U9 Blues Coach. He put this team togeth er this season, and what dedication he has shown. Some of these lads had never played football before. This Coach has shown nothing but professionalism throughout. He believes in what he does and has a positiv e attitude and encouragement at all times.”
In particular A coach that volunteers at a 1, 2 or 3 star England Football Accredited club, or from an FA programme (e.g. Just Play, Weetabix Wildcats, Comets Disability Football) who has had a positive impact by: Helping male players enjoy the game and reach their full potential. Creating a thriving learning environment for all. Helping players succeed in their respective game format. Being aware of their own motivations and behaviours. PLEASE NOTE - a winning coach must have: An in-date DBS and first aid. A commitment to ongoing CPD. (such as Introduction to Coaching Football, EE Playmaker or England Accredited Learning).
CLUB of the year We’re looking for the club that really deserves your thanks. A club that’s done something amazing… for their players, volunteers or beyond. A club that is inclusive and plays a big part in their local community.
“This is my childs first te am and the made him fe y hav e el exception a ll y welcome an part of the d team. He w a s im mediately integrated in to a close k nit team an b e e n e nc ou d has raged throu ghout his ti with the tea me m. Every w eek the coa turned up fo c h has r training, m ade matche hap p e n and s even outsid e o f fo otball led team and c haracter bu ilding days.”
In particular A 1, 2 or 3 star England Football Accredited club that’s: Recruited, rewarded or retained volunteers in a new way. Improved its facilities – on the and off the pitch. Attracted new funding to make football better for more people. Started new teams or sessions for male, female or disabled players. Supported The FA initiatives like Just Play, Weetabix Wildcats, Comets Disability Football etc.
LEAGUE of the year ll in itated footba il c fa e v a h L “TJYF for Telford area e th r fo 3 /2 2022 of (an increase n re d il h c 0 5 ov e r 3 3 d 2 S e as on an /2 1 2 0 2 m o 13% fr ) 0/21 Season 2 0 2 e th e c 25% sin 300 ying in over who are pla 0 ing over 270 teams. Provid l and eague, Futsa L in s e h tc a m p oor ons. Despite ti ti e p m o C s C up the ther factors o d n a r e th a we lete ged to comp a n a m s a h e L e ag u ps all age grou in n o s a e S the for ays of Finals d 6 h it w g finishin t Cup Finals a g in ld o h , s 58 team dgnorth ton, AFC Bri y ra D t e rk a M ll ord United a and AFC Telf mittee a small com y b d e rt o p p su of 8.”
We’re looking for a League that makes the game better for more people. A League which you think has done a lot to make football more accessible and enjoyable In particular: A league in the male, female, youth or disability game that: Is England Football Accredited Has created a safe, fun and inclusive space, both on and off the pitch Supports The FA initiatives like for example Respect, Silent Support or Play Safe.
MATCH OFFICIAL
of the year
We’re looking for the Match Official who has created a positive match day experience. Someone who’s shown dedication and commitment to playing a fairer game. In short, the most impressive Match Official in your area! In particular They can be a referee, a referee observer, coach, mentor, developer, appointments officer or any other role in the match official community. So long as they promote a fairer game for all by showing respect and understanding.
“Richard is a great asset to Shropshire. All his Refereeing in Disability leagues for Shropshire and the FA. Richard has recently become a tutor for our referee courses.”
YOUNG VOLUNTEER
of the year
We’re looking for a young person who’s brought fresh energy as a volunteer this season. Who deserves your thanks for sharing their time, skills and commitment… and youthful energy! In particular: They must be aged 14-25. A young person who is a role model to others, who provides a voice for other young people, or who has a valuable skillset as part of a wider team.
“Ruby although only 13 Is a nat ural born leader that has really com e into her own in the last 12 month s. She shown an interest in gettin g involved in helping coach our wildcats and spending her spare time to help coach out young gir ls starting football, not to mention being a fully qualified ref and doi ng many games free of charge to hel p out and get more experience!.”
NEW VOLUNTEER
of the year
We’re looking for someone who’s burst onto the scene this year and had a real impact. We want to know about the volunteer who started volunteering in the 23/24 season, and really deserves your thanks. In particular: Increasing the opportunities for others to play or volunteer or improving the experience.
“Karl Williams took over as cha irman when the previous chairman sto od down last year. The club, which consis ts of a huge number of teams , is based in Telford and offers football to boy s and girls from tots to teens. Karl was previously a coach for his own son's team and now coaches tha t team alone as the other coach stood down as his own child moved to a league which meant his child could not play on a local level.”.
GROUNDS TEAM
of the year
We’re looking for the people who make sure their ground – from pitch to facilities – is always ready for the game.- A grounds team that goes the extra mile in creating a great playing surface. In particular They might not even have a job-title, but we want to hear about the people who: Transform poor pitches into great pitches. Keep the facilities match-ready all year round. Make sure the whole space is safe, week in, week out. Create a playing environment that’s always welcoming. Ensure that their facilities are at the heart of their communities.
“Wellington Amateurs fc have made big strides over the last season,off the pitch with ground works/improvements all carried out by volunteers. “
KEEPING FOOTBALL POSITIVE AWARD
We’re looking for a volunteer, club, league or project hat’s used the power of football to improve others’ lives, and made a big difference in their community. In particular A person, club, league or project run by volunteers that might, for example, have led to: Improved participant behaviour. A decrease in crime. An increase in youth engagement. A positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. Improved access for female or disability football.
“Simon is the co re of our club. He does everythi ng from kickers clubs, developm ent, arranging ne w teams, helping coaches, pitch allocations, pitch inspections, club organisation, at tending sjfl mee tings, the list is endles s. His son is an adul t now, yet he still goes above and beyond for the cl ub. Not just for the bo ys and girls team s but for our adults team too.”
THE LIONESS AWARD
We’re looking for a volunteer, club, league or project that’s moved the women or girls game forward. Someone, or a group of people, who deserve your thanks for creating new opportunities in the female game, inspired by England Women’s success. In particular A volunteer, club, league or project that’s improving the girls and women’s game for more girls and women by: Creating chances to coach, manage, administrate or officiate. Having a big impact in their community, on and off the pitch. Using football to inspire positive change.
“ T he y p ro vide endle o p p o r tu n ss ity for gir ls o f all ages f rom 4 ye a r s u p to a g e 1 6 . T he can’t do e y n o u g h to h e lp each a e v e ryone nd of their y o u n g s te r regardles s s of their ability. Th s e e th e y ey hav e a f u t u r e a nd roll with it . G re at c om m u n it y spirit for all tea m s und e r the Shifn al girls umb rella.”
THE BOBBY MOORE AWARD
It’s for the volunteer that represents the best of grassroots football in your county. We’re looking for someone or a group of people who are truly exceptional. What we’re looking for: Someone or a team, club, league that’s s had a big impact over a period of time by: Retaining, recruiting or rewarding players and volunteers to ensure that their grassroots football provision is a true representation of the local community. Raising the profile of their organisation and its impact that’s helped bring their community together Continuously developed and sought to add value to their team, club, league or organisation.