On Friday, Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, visited several grassroots football initiatives in his constituency to learn more about how the FA and Berkshire and Buckinghamshire FA investments are widening grassroots participation and improving facilities in the local community.

Phillip first celebrated girls football at the SEN Girls Festival, meeting the players and volunteers who helped make this fantastic event possible. He then took to the pitch himself with Bracknell Town Walking Football Club in a walking football session to learn more about the benefits the sport can bring to people with mobility issues.

In recognition of Phillip’s continuing support for grassroots football in his constituency, Liz Verrall, CEO of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire FA, presented him with The FA’s Grassroots Champion award.

This visit is part of the new #FootballFootprint Campaign which is being run by The FA, the not-for-profit national governing body for the game in England, in conjunction with local County FAs. The campaign is giving MPs an opportunity to meet with the army of workers and volunteers that make grassroots football possible at a local level and to visit showcase sites, initiatives and matches.

Phillip Lee MP said: “I was honoured to be presented with the FA’s Grassroots Champion award. It was fantastic to meet some of the people that work hard to deliver grassroots football in Bracknell and as the Chair of the All-Party Group on Sport, I was thrilled to be able to show my support for my local game.”

Liz Verrall, CEO of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire FA, said: “We were delighted to show Phillip the great work that is being done in Bracknell to support grassroots football for people of all ages and ability. Over 10,000 volunteers across the county support the 59,892 players day in day out so we are thrilled to showcase their contribution through The FA’s #FootballFootprint campaign.”