Published 06 August 2025 6 min read
Volunteering
National grassroots heroes celebrated at Wembley
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Winners of the 2025 England Football Grassroots Football Awards were recognised and celebrated at the FA Community Shield fixture between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 10 August 2025.
The England Football Grassroots Football Awards demonstrate the amazing passion, talent and dedication of every volunteer in The England Football Family, with nominations submitted annually to celebrate the fantastic individuals who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across England.
Hosted by Match of the Day’s Mark Chapman, our glittering awards ceremony was once again illuminated by England legends like John Barnes, Rachel Yankey OBE, Paul Merson, Sue Smith, Rachel Brown-Finnis and Emile Heskey – not to mention Sir Geoff Hurst – presenting the 12 awards.
Meet our 2025 England Football Grassroots Football Award winners! Each one an inspiration. Each an example of the extraordinary impact The England Football Family has. Each with a well-deserved national award in their hands.
Female Coach of the Year: Evie Pardy (Hampshire FA)
Empowering girls through football, compassion and community, Evie’s impact goes far beyond her seven years as U12s coach at Queens Park Ladies. Focusing on the emotional and physical challenges young girls can face, she’s an inspiration to everyone she meets. From building her players’ confidence, to starting a mum’s recreational team, Evie is a beacon of strength and inspiration to an adoring Hampshire community of girls and women. Congratulations, Coach Evie!
Male Coach of the Year: Anwar Ali (West Riding FA)
Starting as a simple kickabout for two kids, Anwar now has over 100 playing with his club Beap Tigers. For Anwar, running training sessions, arranging games, inspecting pitches, putting out goals and Respect barriers is just the start. More than a coach, Anwar inspires every child to work hard in football and in life. Always reinforcing the value of community, he even takes players to food banks to help them understand others’ struggles. Truly inspiring, Anwar!
Disability Coach of the Year: Jude Geoghegan (Amateur FA)
Aged just 19, Jude uses his own experiences to inspire others. Overcoming barriers including having Spina Bifida, Jude’s incredible enthusiasm is changing lives by introducing playing opportunities in disability football. Thanks to Jude, Estudiantes' number of players and matches have increased, as have his players’ fitness and confidence. Arranging competitive fixtures for the first time, and games at pro training grounds – including Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham – has taken the team to a new level. Congratulations Jude!
Hosted by Match of the Day’s Mark Chapman, our glittering awards ceremony was once again illuminated by England legends like John Barnes, Rachel Yankey OBE, Paul Merson, Sue Smith, Rachel Brown-Finnis and Emile Heskey – not to mention Sir Geoff Hurst – presenting the 12 awards.
Meet our 2025 England Football Grassroots Football Award winners! Each one an inspiration. Each an example of the extraordinary impact The England Football Family has. Each with a well-deserved national award in their hands.
Female Coach of the Year: Evie Pardy (Hampshire FA)
Empowering girls through football, compassion and community, Evie’s impact goes far beyond her seven years as U12s coach at Queens Park Ladies. Focusing on the emotional and physical challenges young girls can face, she’s an inspiration to everyone she meets. From building her players’ confidence, to starting a mum’s recreational team, Evie is a beacon of strength and inspiration to an adoring Hampshire community of girls and women. Congratulations, Coach Evie!
Male Coach of the Year: Anwar Ali (West Riding FA)
Starting as a simple kickabout for two kids, Anwar now has over 100 playing with his club Beap Tigers. For Anwar, running training sessions, arranging games, inspecting pitches, putting out goals and Respect barriers is just the start. More than a coach, Anwar inspires every child to work hard in football and in life. Always reinforcing the value of community, he even takes players to food banks to help them understand others’ struggles. Truly inspiring, Anwar!
Disability Coach of the Year: Jude Geoghegan (Amateur FA)
Aged just 19, Jude uses his own experiences to inspire others. Overcoming barriers including having Spina Bifida, Jude’s incredible enthusiasm is changing lives by introducing playing opportunities in disability football. Thanks to Jude, Estudiantes' number of players and matches have increased, as have his players’ fitness and confidence. Arranging competitive fixtures for the first time, and games at pro training grounds – including Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham – has taken the team to a new level. Congratulations Jude!
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Disability Coach of the Year: Jude Geoghegan (Amateur FA)
Match Official of the Year: Sean Wright (Sheffield & Hallamshire FA)
Having refereed for over 22 years, Sean shows huge empathy when officiating in disability football, including in the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League. Firm, consistent, always with a quiet word instead of anything more severe, Sean’s refereeing style has been an inspiration to many. Sean’s approach is also perfect for the Sheffield Flourish League, a competition for people from marginalised backgrounds – homeless players, asylum seekers, players with poor mental health or recovering from drug or alcohol misuse. Well done, Sean!
Grounds Team of the Year: Richard Hill (West Riding FA)
Richard is the linchpin of Brighouse Juniors, where he sustains the heart and soul of the club. Through rain, wind, and sun, Richard works with unwavering dedication to provide a pristine playing platform for over 450 children every weekend. Beyond the pitches – crafted to a standard others can only dream of – Richard maintains the club’s car parks and clubhouse facilities, fostering a truly inspiring environment where young athletes can thrive. Good work Richard, you’re an inspiration!
Young Volunteer of the Year: Lleyton Canning (Devon FA)
At Morley Rangers U11s, 18-year-old Lleyton plays a vital role in coaching, officiating, and encouraging players. Supporting young players who’ve felt excluded, Lleyton helps them regain confidence through football. As well as being a talented coach, Lleyton is a relatable young role model who every player looks up to. His patience, positivity and ability to engage are making a huge difference in helping every player know they are valued and belong. Good work Lleyton!
Having refereed for over 22 years, Sean shows huge empathy when officiating in disability football, including in the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League. Firm, consistent, always with a quiet word instead of anything more severe, Sean’s refereeing style has been an inspiration to many. Sean’s approach is also perfect for the Sheffield Flourish League, a competition for people from marginalised backgrounds – homeless players, asylum seekers, players with poor mental health or recovering from drug or alcohol misuse. Well done, Sean!
Grounds Team of the Year: Richard Hill (West Riding FA)
Richard is the linchpin of Brighouse Juniors, where he sustains the heart and soul of the club. Through rain, wind, and sun, Richard works with unwavering dedication to provide a pristine playing platform for over 450 children every weekend. Beyond the pitches – crafted to a standard others can only dream of – Richard maintains the club’s car parks and clubhouse facilities, fostering a truly inspiring environment where young athletes can thrive. Good work Richard, you’re an inspiration!
Young Volunteer of the Year: Lleyton Canning (Devon FA)
At Morley Rangers U11s, 18-year-old Lleyton plays a vital role in coaching, officiating, and encouraging players. Supporting young players who’ve felt excluded, Lleyton helps them regain confidence through football. As well as being a talented coach, Lleyton is a relatable young role model who every player looks up to. His patience, positivity and ability to engage are making a huge difference in helping every player know they are valued and belong. Good work Lleyton!
Volunteering
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Positive Behaviour Award: Matt Meadus (Hampshire FA)
Having identified a gap in support for autistic players, Matt is revolutionising their experience. His dedication as an Autism Ambassador at Proco FC – not to mention his coaching – is helping every player enjoy football while growing in confidence (as well as laughing a lot!). Thanks to his dedicated training programme of inclusive practices, communication techniques and coaching methods, parents describe seeing the difference in players over just 12 months as being “like night and day”. Congratulations Matt!
New Volunteer of the Year: Darren Richards (Worcestershire FA)
Darren’s title – Director for Inclusive and Disability Football – might describe his role. But for his players at Redditch Borough, his impact goes beyond disability. Thanks to Darren, they just love playing football. Despite having limited knowledge about disability football and neurodiversity, Darren threw himself into creating a whole new disability section, taking the club’s provision from nothing to an U12 team, an U16 team, three mixed pan-disability teams as well as recreational sessions. Good work, Darren!
League of the Year: Birmingham County Women’s Walking Football League (Birmingham FA)
This amazing league is giving women who thought their football days were over a fresh chance to play. Welcoming every woman age 35 to 70+, this truly is football for all ages and abilities. Helping over 160 women get fit, lose weight, learn about football and improve their skills and wellbeing – all while making amazing new friendships – has been life-changing. Many players report it’s the only time they get when they’re not having to be mum, wife, carer or worker. Congratulations one and all!
Having identified a gap in support for autistic players, Matt is revolutionising their experience. His dedication as an Autism Ambassador at Proco FC – not to mention his coaching – is helping every player enjoy football while growing in confidence (as well as laughing a lot!). Thanks to his dedicated training programme of inclusive practices, communication techniques and coaching methods, parents describe seeing the difference in players over just 12 months as being “like night and day”. Congratulations Matt!
New Volunteer of the Year: Darren Richards (Worcestershire FA)
Darren’s title – Director for Inclusive and Disability Football – might describe his role. But for his players at Redditch Borough, his impact goes beyond disability. Thanks to Darren, they just love playing football. Despite having limited knowledge about disability football and neurodiversity, Darren threw himself into creating a whole new disability section, taking the club’s provision from nothing to an U12 team, an U16 team, three mixed pan-disability teams as well as recreational sessions. Good work, Darren!
League of the Year: Birmingham County Women’s Walking Football League (Birmingham FA)
This amazing league is giving women who thought their football days were over a fresh chance to play. Welcoming every woman age 35 to 70+, this truly is football for all ages and abilities. Helping over 160 women get fit, lose weight, learn about football and improve their skills and wellbeing – all while making amazing new friendships – has been life-changing. Many players report it’s the only time they get when they’re not having to be mum, wife, carer or worker. Congratulations one and all!
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League of the Year: Birmingham County Women’s Walking Football League
Club of the Year: Leicester Nirvana FC (Leicestershire & Rutland FA)
Since the early 80s, Leicester Nirvana FC has focused on building a community of happy, empowered young people connected by football. Here, players of over 70 nationalities come together, find a family and blossom as individuals. On and off the pitch, the club supports and educates, tackles social injustice, addresses issues like knife crime, and provides a safe space where players thrive – all while striving to become the UK's first grassroots club to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Congratulations, Leicester Nirvana!
The Lioness Award: Justine Thomson (Sussex FA)
Justine – or JT as she’s better known – is the founding member and current chair of Brighton Seagals FC, which provides an inclusive environment for a diverse community of LGBTQ+ women. Here, every player is free to play in a safe, welcoming, non-judgmental space. As well as helping run the team, JT supports the recreational side of the club for its 150+ members. Constantly adapting to bravely overcome the many challenges, JT ensures the club continues to thrive. Well done JT!
The Bobby Moore Award: Longfleet Vision Warriors (Dorset FA)
The prestigious Bobby Moore Award is reserved for the volunteer club, league or project that best represents the heart and soul of volunteering in grassroots football. Longfleet Vision Warriors is a monthly youth football session for children aged 4-16 with a visual impairment. By providing the children’s only opportunity for social interaction with other young people with visual impairments, Longfleet provides an opportunity to come together, play football in a safe and inclusive environment, while organically creating a network for parents to share their experiences and signpost support. Good work Longfleet Vision Warriors, you’re making an amazing impact on the game and the community.
Since the early 80s, Leicester Nirvana FC has focused on building a community of happy, empowered young people connected by football. Here, players of over 70 nationalities come together, find a family and blossom as individuals. On and off the pitch, the club supports and educates, tackles social injustice, addresses issues like knife crime, and provides a safe space where players thrive – all while striving to become the UK's first grassroots club to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Congratulations, Leicester Nirvana!
The Lioness Award: Justine Thomson (Sussex FA)
Justine – or JT as she’s better known – is the founding member and current chair of Brighton Seagals FC, which provides an inclusive environment for a diverse community of LGBTQ+ women. Here, every player is free to play in a safe, welcoming, non-judgmental space. As well as helping run the team, JT supports the recreational side of the club for its 150+ members. Constantly adapting to bravely overcome the many challenges, JT ensures the club continues to thrive. Well done JT!
The Bobby Moore Award: Longfleet Vision Warriors (Dorset FA)
The prestigious Bobby Moore Award is reserved for the volunteer club, league or project that best represents the heart and soul of volunteering in grassroots football. Longfleet Vision Warriors is a monthly youth football session for children aged 4-16 with a visual impairment. By providing the children’s only opportunity for social interaction with other young people with visual impairments, Longfleet provides an opportunity to come together, play football in a safe and inclusive environment, while organically creating a network for parents to share their experiences and signpost support. Good work Longfleet Vision Warriors, you’re making an amazing impact on the game and the community.