#BBFAStars is about recognising the inspirational work of volunteers across the county all-year-round.

It’s a way for us, as the County FA, to say ‘Thank You’. Thank you for all your time, effort and relentless dedication to the game across Berks & Bucks FA. It’s also a way for your peers, your friends, fellow volunteers and local communities to recognise the people, often in the background, that help keep their clubs & leagues alive, week-in & week-out.

The roles we celebrate in #BBFAStars are not always in the spotlight, but the people that take them on often do so through a love of the game.

#BBFAStars is not only about recognising their individual efforts but also about showing you a side of the game that you don’t often see.

Here, Anne-Louise Doe of Wokingham & Emmbrook FC (WEFC) talks about why she does what she does, and what it means to be a Club Secretary. Asked first, what it feels like to be our winner, Anne-Louise said;

"I am very touched to have won the award and thankful to all those who voted for me. I feel very lucky though, as all the local Club Secretaries work incredibly hard for their Clubs, giving up much of their free time to help facilitate Grassroots football in Berkshire. Each one would be very deserving of the award!"

The Secretary is one of the most important roles in a club or league. The main point of contact for the county, team managers and clubs/leagues, the Secretary will look after the administrative duties for the club/league and whilst it can be very demanding, it can also be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying role.

"I have lived in Wokingham for most of my life and have always wanted to give something back to the community I grew up in. My husband and two sons are also football mad (my daughter slightly less so 😂), so it was the perfect match! The role means very much to me, particularly following the pandemic. 

"Football has become a lifeline to many children and by volunteering for WEFC I have joined a very dedicated team of volunteers who together are able to give well over 600 children in our community the opportunity to be part of a team and to play football. This is by far WEFC's greatest success and something of which I am incredibly proud."

Getting involved with your football club in a role behind the scenes can bring a lot of satisfaction and open the doors to new experiences & opportunities; from seeing both the club and people around you grow & succeed to meeting new, passionate people along the way.

For those people thinking about becoming involved in the sport and perhaps in the Secretary role, Anne-Louise has this message; 

"My advice for any aspiring Club Secretary - Go for it! You must be willing to give up plenty of your free time - particularly during the busiest times of the season, and enjoy administrative work, as this forms the majority of the role. It is incredibly rewarding and is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and be part of a lovely community."

If you would like to find out more about the types of volunteer roles available in grassroots football or about becoming a club secretary and working with your local club, please contact a member of the team via email, or call on 01235544890 for an informal chat.

Our next #BBFAStars Award is coming in January, so if you know want to say thank you to the person at your club or league, all it takes is a simple tweet. 

To find out more about the awards, and how to nominate, visit #BBFAStars - alternatively, keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter account for the nomination tweet to appear at the beginning of the month.