Most of all, they’re a time for us to say a huge thank you to those amazing people who inspire us all with a prestigious national awards ceremony where we can all come together.
This season, our volunteers have worked hard to show the true power of football in connecting people, in building communities and enabling more players to enjoy playing our beautiful game.
Let’s show them how much we appreciate their effort, commitment and impact. There are eleven different categories for you to nominate into. For more details please see below.
Our Heroes
Grassroots is where all football stories start.
2023 CATEGORIES
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

England Football Accredited
Our winners come from England Football Accredited environments that fly the flag for football played in safe, respectful and inclusive environments. Find out more about our kitemark programme.