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.

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

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.

Which club sits at the heart of its community providing an opportunity for all to get involved?

Which England Football Accredited club thinks outside the box to make football better for more people?

Whether a 1, 2 of 3 star England Football Accredited Club, your Club of the Year should clearly demonstrate, both on and off the pitch, how they are inclusive, play their part in the local community and have perhaps:

- Supported The FA initiatives such as Wildcats, Squad or Just Play.

- Grow on pitch opportunities, introducing recreational or new teams for male, female or disabled players.

- Provided facilities that offer more opportunities for players on the pitch, or for their community away from the pitch. Secured new funding streams to offer something beyond football that puts the club at the heart of your community. Found innovative ways to recruit, reward or retain volunteers. 
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Who is inclusive, encouraging and inspiring when it matters most?

How has this coach made a real impact? In particular, how have they stood out with:

Player engagement – respecting the voice of the player and how they engage players

Relationships – their ability to develop strong positive relationships with players, parents and other coaches built on respect and trust

Culture – creating a safe, inclusive and positive space for everyone involved. 

Please note winning coaches must have an in date DBS and first aid. And a commitment to ongoing CPD, having done a qualification this season such as I2CF or EE Playmaker or England Accredited learning.

Who transforms poor pitches to good pitches?

Who keeps the facilities match-ready all year round?

And helps keep the whole space safe, week in, week out?

We want to know about the grounds team who excels when it comes to making sure grassroots football happens, and the pitch and facilities are ready to go. They might not have a specific title, but these people are the ones who make sure the whole space – from the pitch to the facilities – are always safe, welcoming and fully prepared for the game. Look for evidence of their efforts making a positive difference to make football, safe, fun and inclusive for everyone.

Which League thinks outside the box to make football more accessible for more people?

Our League of the Year should have dedicated volunteers that clearly demonstrate, both on and off the pitch, how they proudly create a safe, fun and inclusive space for everyone.

The judging panel will review applications based on the League being an England Football Accredited League which can demonstrate support of The FA initiatives and its valuable role in the community.

Who has the determination and drive to ensure everyone plays fair?

Tell us about the match official who has impressed you on match day or in the Refereeing community. Someone who has shown dedication and commitment to supporting the game and match officials, whilst showing empathy and respect to all involved. They might be a Referee, a Referee observer, coach, mentor, developer, appointments officer or any other role who goes above and beyond to support and/or develop match officials. So long as they promote refereeing positively at all times by supporting their colleagues and creating a positive matchday culture, we want to hear about them.

Who has arrived this year to make a positive difference?

Who has started volunteering in football this season and immediately made a positive impact on your football club, league or other organisation? How have they benefited from being a volunteer, and how have they benefited others?

Your nominee must have undertaken the EE Playmaker course, and taken on a new voluntary role in the 22/23 season.

Who creates a fun, safe and inclusive space for everyone?

We're looking for a volunteer who's gone the extra mile to create a positive football culture. One that is warm and welcoming, and fun, safe and inclusive for everyone. It could be someone in your club or league, or a volunteer, player, referee or an organiser of social football. So if you know someone who has built a positive culture, or who personally upholds the behaviours we want to see in the grassroots game, we want to hear about them.

Which club, league or project has developed opportunities for recreational and competitive football?

Inspired by the Women’s Euros victory and its impact on and off the pitch, we are looking for a project run by volunteers using football as a way of inspiring positive change in the women and or girls' game. Who has provided opportunities for more people in the community to access opportunities to coach, manage, administrate or officiate in the women and girls' game? We’re looking for an example of where women and girls' football has been the catalyst for community impact on and off the pitch.

Who is dedicated to helping make grassroots football enjoyable for everyone?

We’re looking for someone who has made a real contribution to football in the community. Someone who is a role model and gives the best of themselves to make the game for all. Someone who provides a valued voice for other young people, or a valuable skillset as part of a wider team. 

Your nominee must be under 25 years of age on the closing date of the nominations.