GRASSROOTS AWARDS26 AWARDS 26
IT’S TIME TO SAY THANKYOU 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 week-out, rain or shine.
We want to find the volunteers, clubs, leagues, officials, grounds teams and others who have stood out this around nated via u’ will
WHAT STOOD OUT FORYOU FOR YOU
This year, we’re looking for those inspiring winners’ stories – such as volunteers overcoming obstacles, creating opportunities, bringing football to more players – which highlight the impact volunteers make and open the door for others to follow in their footsteps
What do they do and who do they do it for?
What difference have they made to other’s lives?
What makes them stand out so much for you to nominate them?
? ng the people as f can also
CATEGORIES CATEGORIES YOUR AWARD
Here are the list of the categories for 2026:
Match Official of the Year
The Lioness Award
Positive Behaviour Award
Coach of the Year Female Pathway
Coach of the Year Disability Pathway
Coach of the Year Male Pathway
League of the Year
New Volunteer of the Year
Young Volunteer of the Year
Grounds Team of the Year
Club of the Year
The Bobby Moore Award
Think about how they’re improving the playing experience, and leading by example.
Creating positive spaces and overcoming obsta
Unitin backg comm
We’re looking for a Match
Official who:
Is an advocate for inclusivity –making the game welcoming, equal and diverse
Handles challenging situations – demonstrating composure even when dealing with dissent, discrimination, or highpressure moments
Is a role model for other referees – embodying respect, teamwork, and integrity.
Is consistent and reliable –maintaining high standards across all matches.
Encourages a positive matchday experience – for
In particular…
They can be a referee, a referee observer, coach, mentor, developer, appointments officer or any other role in the match official community.
2025 Winner
Kyle Rowlands
One of Shropshire’s youngest referees, recently promoted to Level 4 and invited to officiate at the IBERCUP in Portugal.
wwwEnglandFootballcom/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for someone, or something, that’s moved women and girls’ football forward by creating more and better opportunities in the female game.
In particular
This can be a coach, referee, offpitch volunteer, club, provider, league or project. So long as they’re improving the game for more women and girls by:
Creating chances to play, coach, manage, administrate or officiate.
Providing safe and inclusive environments for women and girls to thrive.
Having a big impact in their community, on and off the pitch.
2025 Winner
Kim O’Callaghan – Wrekin Juniors
Celebrated for her inspirational role in developing girls’ football and mentoring the next generation of players.
www.EnglandFootball.com/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for a volunteer, club, league or project that:
Brings to life the Standards of Behaviour from The Grassroots Code, helping to create a more enjoyable atmosphere for all. Models positive behaviour for coaches, spectators and teams to follow
Effectively tackles poor behaviour or rewards good behaviour.
Ensures visiting teams and match officials feel welcomed. Encourages collective responsibility for a positive football environment
S t Th FA’ i iti ti lik
2025 Winner Mike Farrall – Allscott FC Honoured for his nurturing approach to coaching children with additional needs and always putting positivity first.
wwwEnglandFootballcom/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for an inspiring and inclusive volunteer coach at an England Football Accredited club, or from an England Football programme like Wildcats, Squad Girls or Just Play, 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.
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
Being aware of their own motivations and demonstrating positive behaviours. Developing themselves to maximise the impact they have
2025 Winner
Alison Jones – Oswestry
Boys and Girls Club
Honoured for her 12 years of service in promoting and developing girls’ football in North Shropshire.
www.EnglandFootball.com/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for an inspiring and inclusive volunteer coach at an England Football Accredited club, or from an England Football programme like Comets Disability Football or Just Play Disability, 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. Improving the playing experience, and leading by example.
Creating positive spaces and
Being aware of their own motivations and demonstrating positive behaviours. Developing themselves to maximise the impact they have.
2025 Winner Stuart Fletcher Applauded for establishing an inclusive disability programme attracting players from across Telford.
www.EnglandFootball.com/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for an inspiring and inclusive volunteer coach at an England Football Accredited club, or from an England Football programme like Just Play, 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.
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.
B i f th i
2025 Winner
Alan Thornton – NC United Recognised for his tireless dedication to inclusive coaching and creating opportunities for all players.
www.EnglandFootball.com/GrassrootsFootballAwards
LEAGUE LEAGUE OF THE YEAR
We’re looking for an England Football Accredited League that makes the game more accessible and enjoyable.
Be England Football Accredited.
Have created a safe, fun and inclusive space, both on and off the pitch.
Support The FA’s Respect the Standard Support the Silent Support weekend Play Safe weekend and been proactive in implementing Future Fit changes if a Youth League.
2025 Winner Telford Junior League
Supporting over 3,800 children, this league has expanded significantly and now leads in both youth development and community fundraising.
wwwEnglandFootballcom/GrassrootsFootballAwards
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 a new role in grassroots football during the 25/26 season.
In particular…
An inspiring individual, young or old. Someone who’s immediately had a big impact at a club, league or other organisation. This might include Sessional Football through an England Football programme such as Just Play, Wildcats, Squad Girls Football or Comets Disability
2025 Winner Christopher Aston – Wenlock Warriors FC Commended for creating opportunities for mixed-ability players and building a supportive, welcoming team
wwwEnglandFootballcom/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for a young person who’s brought fresh energy, skills and ideas as a volunteer. We want to know about a young person who has made an exceptional impact across grassroots football this season.
In particular… They must be aged 14-25. A young person who is a role model to others and has made an impact at their club, league or organisation this season. They may be involved in coaching, officiating or leading others as part of a club or league committee They’ll provide a voice for other young people in the game, allowing those they work with to get the most out of grassroots football. Or who has a 2025 Winner Niko – NC United Celebrated for his weekly dedication and mentoring at Saturday sessions, making a big impact on young players.
wwwEnglandFootballcom/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for the people who go the extra mile to make sure their ground – from pitch to facilities –is always ready for the game.
In particular…
They might not even have a roletitle, but we want to hear about the people who:
Keep the facilities match-ready all year round. Make sure the whole space is safe, week in, week out. Transform poor pitches into good pitches.
Create a playing environment that’s always welcoming. Have made improvements to the
2025 Winner Church Stretton Town FC
Praised for their behind-the-scenes efforts in pitch preparation and matchday readiness.
www.EnglandFootball.com/GrassrootsFootballAwards
We’re looking for a thriving community club that’s done something amazing…either for its players, its volunteers or the wider football family.
In particular…
An England Football Accredited club that:
Builds meaningful connections with its members and the wider local community.
Has positive leadership and good governance. Develops it coaches’ skills and confidence. Effectively recruits supports and celebrates its volunteers.
Has improved its facilities, on or off the pitch. Has diversified their offer
2025 Winner Shrewsbury Up & Comers
With over 650 participants and 46 teams, including SEN and disability teams, this community-centred club has also received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
www.EnglandFootball.com/GrassrootsFootballAwards
This is for the volunteer that represents the best of grassroots football in your county. We’re looking for someone or a group of people who is truly exceptional.
What we’re looking for…
Someone who’s had a big impact over a period of time by:
Retaining, recruiting or rewarding players and/or volunteers to ensure grassroots football represents its community
Raising the profile and increasing the accessibility of grassroots football
Making an impact through grassroots football on issues important in their community
2025 Winner
Seb – Wrockwardine Wood Juniors
Recognised for his heartwarming charity work donating Easter and Christmas gifts to children’s hospital wards Presented by Shrewsbury Town’s Luca Hoole.
www.EnglandFootball.com/GrassrootsFootballAwards
