GFA 2020

2020 Grassroots Football Awards

Celebrating the people who make Grassroots Football great for all!
Nominations Now Open!

The nomination window for this year’s FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards is now OPEN.

CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL GREAT FOR ALL!!

With all football paused for the time being, now is a great time to spread some positivity and start nominating your local grassroots football heroes.

The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are for people who make a positive difference. It’s our way to celebrate the fantastic individuals who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across England – and say a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who inspire us all. 
 
The awards recognise and reward the people, clubs and leagues that deliver grassroots football throughout the country. Awards are split into categories, and County FAs select a local winner for each. These form a shortlist for The FA’s national winners, selected by a national judging panel. 


All nominations will be judged with The FA's PRIDE values in mind. These values and ways of behaving are what we all strive towards in grassroots football.

award categories

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

- Your Grassroots Club of the Year should be one that unites everyone in a fun atmosphere of respect, inclusivity and excellence.

- They should also be a Grassroots Club that are FA Charter Standard Accredited.

- They have dedicated volunteers.

- They are PROUD to create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment FOR ALL.

Who is inclusive, encouraging and inspiring when it matters most?

The coach should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Minimum The FA Level 1 in Coaching with in date emergency aid qualification 
• Demonstrate The FAs PRIDE values 
• Part of a Grassroots Club that are The FA Charter Standard Accredited 
• Communicates RESPECT to players 
• Attends relevant CPD

 Who inspired excellence and inclusivity in our younger players?

The coach should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Minimum The FA Level 1 in Coaching with in date Safeguarding, Emergency Aid qualification and an accepted FA CRC 
• Demonstrate The FAs PRIDE values 
• Communicate the England DNA messages 
• Part of a Grassroots Club that are FA Charter Standard Accredited 
• Creates a positive learning environment

Who keeps the pitch and facilities match-ready all year round? And helps keep the environment safe, week in, week out?  

We want to know about the grounds team who excel when it comes to making sure grassroots football happens. 
They might not have a specific job-title, but these people are the ones who make sure the club pitch, environment and facilities are always safe and good to go.
Look for evidence of their efforts making a positive difference to make football, safe, fun and inclusive For All.

Which league thinks outside of the box to create an encouraging and fun environment For All?

The Grassroots League of the Year should have dedicated volunteers that clearly demonstrate, both on and off the pitch, they are PROUD to create a safe, fun and inclusive environment FOR ALL.

The judging panel will review the applications based on the following criteria:

• It will be part of The FA Charter Standard League accreditation scheme 
• Demonstrates support of The FA initiatives 
• Demonstrates their 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 with their fairness and empathy, reliability and fitness.

Your nominee should be an excellent official who evaluates skilfully, someone who is keen to ensure that players can learn while enjoying football at the same time.

As well as the PRIDE values, nominations for the Match Official of the Year should evidence how the nominee has demonstrated one or more of the values associated with the DNA of English refereeing: 

• Respect 
• Empathy 
• Fitness 
• Evaluation 
• Reliability 
• Education and Excellence

Which project made a positive impact 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. 
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?  

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.

The judging panel will review the applications based on the following criteria:

• The volunteer must have made a significant contribution to football in their community. 
• The volunteer may have taken steps to improve the standard of their volunteering through sports/football courses. 
• The volunteers should act in a responsible and professional manner and be seen as a role model in their community.

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

Your rising star nomination should be for someone who has made a real contribution to football in the community. Someone who is a role model, who acts responsibly, and encourages and supports others.

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

Who is the heart and soul of grassroots football in England?  

Somewhere out there is the individual, club, league, project or team of people who typifies the spirit of grassroots football. 

When you make your nominations, you might also be voting for the eventual winner of the prestigious Bobby Moore Award! They will be on 5 June by a National Judging panel from all the category winners across the country

Who brings out the best in people on and off the pitch? 

We’re looking for the positive parent from the side-lines or the team of parents that go over and above to consistently give both teams the best match day experience. We want to know all about those who make respect an important part of what they do in grassroots football in your community, and who inspire others to behave positively.

The judging panel will review the applications based on the following criteria:

• Signed up to The FA Pledge Of Positivity 
• Demonstrates consistent support to The FA Respect We Only Do Positive campaign 
• Team is within an FA Charter Standard Club 
• Demonstrates they have made a positive impact from the side-lines.