Grassroots Football Awards 2024

Grassroots Football Awards 2024

Nominate the heroes of your local grassroots game!
The Grassroots Football Awards are here for you to say thank you to all the people and organisations who give their time to make football happen… our awesome volunteers who give so much week-in, week out, rain or shine. And they are for you, the parents, coaches, clubs, leagues, fellow volunteers, match officials and more to pass on your appreciation. 

Across our County we want to find these amazing people, share their story nationally and celebrate them. And just say a huge thank you. You can nominate as many times as you like, in as many categories as you like. 

The more detail you give, the better. 

So let’s find the people who make football great in our County - they could win a National Award and have the chance to go to be celebrated at Wembley! There are twelve different national categories for you to nominate through.

The only thing left to do is get nominating! Find out more about the categories below where you will find the criteria for each award along with a link to the nomination form (click on the (+) sign to expand each row for more info!)

Nominations for the England Football Grassroots Awards are open until 3rd April 2024.

England Football Awards 2024

Which club deserves your thanks? Who’s done something amazing…for their players, community or beyond?

The Details: 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. Or perhaps supported The FA initiatives like Just Play, Weetabix Wildcats, Squad, Comets etc.
Nominate today

Who’s made the game better for more people? Who do you think has made football more accessible and enjoyable for more people?

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.
Nominate today

Who’s really impressed you on match day? Who’s helped create a positive matchday experience? Who’s shown dedication and commitment to playing a fairer game?

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.
Nominate today

Who’s brought fresh energy as a young volunteer this season? Which youngster deserves your thanks for sharing their time, skills, ideas and commitment?

They must be aged between 14-25 years. 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.
Nominate today

Who’s burst onto the scene this year, and had a real impact? Which new volunteer has come in and started volunteering in 23/24 season,  made a positive difference, and really deserves your thanks? 

In particular increasing the opportunities for others to play or volunteer or improving the experience.
Nominate today

Who makes sure their ground – from pitch to facilities – is always ready for the game? Who goes the extra mile in creating a great playing surface? 

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.
Nominate today

Who’s used the power of football to improve others’ lives? Who do you think has 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, or even improved access for female or disability football. 
Nominate today

Who’s inclusive, encouraging and inspiring for our female players? Who’s impressed you with how well they engage players? Who’s got a great story we should all know? A coach that volunteers at 

The details – 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.

PLEASE NOTE - a winning coach must have an in-date DBS and first aid. A commitment to ongoing CPD.
Nominate today

Who’s encouraging, inspiring and inclusive where and when and it matters most? Who’s had a real impact in the 23/24 season? Who’s got a great story to be told?

The details: 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
Nominate today

Who’s stood out by being encouraging and inspiring for male players? Who’s engaged players in an impressive way? Who’s got a great story you’d like to share?

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.
Nominate today

Who deserves your thanks for creating new opportunities in the female game? Which volunteer, club, league or project has moved the women or girls game forward?

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.
Nominate today

Who’s been truly exceptional? This extra-special award is for the volunteer that represents the best of grassroots football. It’s also the first time it’s been open to a public vote.

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.
Nominate today


BIGGER THAN EVER!

In addition to the twelve national England Football Awards (categories listed below), we are delighted to see the return of our a number of BBFA Awards this season - including two new awards - Green Leadership and EDI Champion of the Year. The addition of local categories help us to recognise and celebrate even more members of the grassroots football community for their contribution to the game in our region.

With the addition of our local Awards there are seventeen award categories in which to nominate your #GrassrootsHeroes this year.

Berks & Bucks FA Awards 2024

Recognising an individual who has shown outstanding commitment and leadership in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within football across Berks & Bucks.

Nominate the unsung heroes whose actions speak volumes in the pursuit of equality, diversity, and inclusion within football. This nomination isn't just a recognition of their efforts; it's a testament to their dedication in creating a more welcoming and equitable environment for all.

Whether it's through initiatives promoting gender equality, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, or championing racial diversity, nominees showcase a profound commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering unity within the football community. Their nomination signifies a belief in the power of football to transcend differences and bring people together, inspiring others to join the movement towards a more inclusive future for the beautiful game.

Nominate now

We are looking for an individual, Team, Club or League who has implemented an initiative that works to reduce the environmental impact of grassroots football.

Small or large, every action counts; so whether it's rolling out an awareness campaign, reducing single use plastics, or installing solar panels on the clubhouse roof we want to hear about the action being taken across the County.

You will need to demonstrate how your initiative has helped you reduce your environmental footprint and/or raised the awareness of sustainability within your Club/League or local community. 

Nominate now

Which project has made a positive impact in people's lives, through football, in your local community?

We want to hear all about a grassroots project that has really made a significant difference to life in your local community and encourages participation in the game for all, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or sex. Something that has, thanks to football, improved things in the locality for others.

For example; tangible decreases in crime, increases in youth engagement, positive impact on mental health and wellbeing within the community, driving girls/disability/all football participation.

Nominate now

Who gives up their own time to go above and beyond for your club or league?

Tell us who makes a difference as volunteers. Those who make an impact on match days or behind the scenes. Those who are supportive and positively contribute to football in the community for the enjoyment of others.

We want to hear about the volunteers who:

have made a significant contribution to football in their community
have taken steps to improve the standard of their volunteering through sports/football courses
act in a responsible and professional manner and be seen as a role model in their community

Nominate now

Which individual is the beating heart of your football community?

We want to hear about the individual who is synonymous with your club and has been vital to it's success, someone who has gone over and above in regard to their service. Someone that has or will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

It is open to anyone within football who has made a significant difference to club life. They may be a member of the committee, a coach, a match day volunteer, someone who has been involved for many years or somebody who has recently stepped down. They should be a role model for the local community and provide a legacy for people within football.

Whose dedication and passion for your local game, is unrivalled? Whose story is, quite simply, outstanding.

Nominate now

The winners of the BBFA Awards, alongside the regional winners of the England Football Awards, will be revealed at our annual end-of-season Awards evening. (Details to be confirmed later in the season).

Nominations for the Berks & Bucks FA Awards are open until 21st April 2024.

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