The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are for people who make a positive difference to their communities

These Awards are our way to recognise and celebrate the fantastic people who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game – and say a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who inspire us all.

This season our Grassroots volunteers have faced challenges like never before. They have adapted to the ever-changing Coronavirus pandemic, responding quickly to implement all the necessary measures to enable football to take place. And when lockdowns have meant we couldn’t play, they have worked to ensure that players, volunteers and the wider community stay connected.

Demonstrating the true power of football, Grassroots volunteers have stuck together, helping each other across teams and clubs, showing how the football community can step up when faced with an unprecedented circumstances.

So if you know someone in football who has gone the extra mile, make sure you celebrate their efforts but nominating them for an award. Your nomination will mean so much, showing them that they deserve to be a winner in the eyes of their peers.

How the Awards Work

The awards are split into 10 categories, celebrating the amazing work done by individuals, clubs, leagues and projects across grassroots football.

• Grassroots Coach of the Year for Adults
• Grassroots Coach of the Year for Youth
• Grassroots Club of the Year
• Grassroots League of the Year
• Grassroots Volunteer of the Year
• Rising Star of the Year
• Grassroots Match Official of the Year
• Grassroots Project of the Year
• Grassroots Grounds Team of the Year
• The Spirit of Grassroots Football Award

Each of the County FAs across the country choose a local winner for each category from the public’s nominations in their area, which then form a shortlist for The FA's national winners, who are selected by a national judging panel.

Making Your Nomination Count

The FA’s values, Progressive, Respectful, Inclusive, Determined, and Excellent, are at the core of The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards.

We want to recognise those people who embody all that is good about football, and who apply those qualities to the local communities that they enrich. Think about who’s impressed you over the last year, how they have made a positive difference and what they did to make that happen. The more details you can give us, the better.

Tell us about how they’ve behaved with fairness and integrity, how they’ve created a fun, safe and inclusive environment. Think about how they encourage the very best, both in themselves and in everybody around them. How they have risen to overcome challenges and make a truly positive impact in the community.

Visit the Awards website to learn more about criteria for each award and The FA PRIDE values so you can make your nomination really stand out.

NOMINATE YOUR GRASSROOTS HEROES

Nominations are now closed for this year - thank you to all those who took the time to help us celebrate Hertfordshire's Grassroots Heroes