The Grassroots Football Awards is our opportunity to celebrate the people who make grassroots football great for everyone across Cumberland!

They’re for the people who make a positive difference, and it's our way to recognise the fantastic people who put their heart and soul into football across our county. 

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.

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE

Nominations open until 19 April 2023.

CATEGORIES

- Coach of the Year – Female, male and disability pathway

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.

- Grounds Team of the Year

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.

- Club of the Year

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. 

- Match Official of the Year

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.

- Young Volunteer of the Year

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.

- New Volunteer of the Year

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.

- The Lioness Award

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.

- Positive Football Environment Award

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. 

Please note: when nominating a volunteer, if they do not fall into the 'Young' or 'New' categories, then they can be put forward for the Positive Football Environment Award.