On Monday, 8th July, the Gloucestershire FA hosted our annual Grassroots Football Awards night at the Bowden Hall Hotel in Gloucester.

The awards ceremony saw us hand out a dozen prestigious awards to some of the County’s brilliant volunteers, nominated by you and chosen from among the nominees by an independent panel. 

Our shortlisted nominees were treated to dinner before we got underway handing out prizes. We are grateful to our sponsors whose support enabled us to put on a fantastic evening for our volunteers: The Pitchmark Group, TeamFeePay and Xero.

Read on to hear about our magnificent twelve from those who nominated them! Congratulations to you all!

League of the Year – Bristol Sunday Premier Football League

The Management Committee continues to ensure that  Sunday football is accessible and enjoyable for all. For 2023/24, Bristol City Deaf FC was admitted to the League so that we now support football for deaf and the hard of hearing. Good behaviour on the pitch is rewarded with new match balls for teams with no or very low County FA disciplinary points against them. Over the last 2 seasons, the League has managed to ensure match official cover has been provided for over 98% of league and cup games. The League also appointed a Safeguarding Advocate for season 2023/24 and had the GFA safeguarding team present at a meeting with Clubs in March.

Keeping Football Positive Award – Emma Tattersall (Mitcheldean)

Emma works tirelessly to make sure that the team use football to build friendships and that reflects in the strong camaraderie in the team. Not only do they look after each other on the pitch but also away from football. When one of the boys was having a hard time at school others stood up for him so he knew he wasn't alone in having to deal with it. Her own efforts do not just end on the football pitch – one parent describes how Emma has boosted her son on and off the pitch and helped him through a family breakdown. Emma talks enthusiastically about the many values and strengths that children can learn from playing football as a team sport and as individuals, so many parents have seen their children flourish from her approach over the years.

Highly Commended: Steven Philpott-Petrou (Whittington Park Youth)

Young Volunteer of the Year – Josh Hudd (Abbeymead Rovers)

He helps just about everywhere he can. He referees many of our youth games, often stepping in last minute. Evenings and weekends he helps with any odd jobs around the Club such as clearing out storage, putting together and mending broken goals or anything we ask him to do. He never moans. Now he is doing his Playmaker so he can become an Assistant Coach. He is completely unselfish and often cancels something he is doing to help our members play football. An absolute star and a shining example to the youngsters in our Club. He shows the younger players that it's cool to be a helper.

Highly Commended: Joshua Ravenscroft (South Cerney)

Coach of the Year (Female Pathway) – Carla Reese (Downend Flyers)

Carla doesn’t just stand out to us as parents – she stands out to everyone she meets! Speaking from a personal point of view she has given my daughter the biggest gift anyone could have given her, confidence, respect, fulfilment and belief that she can do it! My daughter struggled to hold a conversation but through football she has found her safe place. And without Carla that would not have happened! She is one the most fantastic advocates for young girls I have ever see. She provides countless hours making sure everyone is given the same game time and an equal opportunity. Incredible human!

Highly Commended: Steph Hill (Dursley Town Ladies)

Grounds Team of the Year – John Winter (AEK Boco)

John is the club’s groundsman for the men’s sides, ladies sides, and the whole youth set up. He looks after 11 pitches, doing everything from cutting and marking to spiking and flattening. Our pitches look brilliant, he absolutely loves doing it and is one of the nicest men you would ever meet. He spends up to 6 days a week on them. Come rain or shine he’s always happy and he loves doing it. The club will never have someone like him again, he’s one of a kind.

Highly Commended – Mark Wolstencroft (Abbeymead Rovers)

Coach of the Year (Disability Pathway) – Stuart Allen (Goals Beyond Grass)

Stu is the lead coach and coordinator for Goals Beyond Grass's powerchair football teams, he delivers sessions to around 30-50 players all of which are wheelchair users and have no other way of playing sport. Since Stu has taken over he has brought a real sense of belonging for all of the players. Stu aims to allow all of the players to form bonds and friendships so that they are all having fun and learning in a positive way. One player said that “Stu has given me a chance to emulate my heroes.”

Highly Commended: Jane Pfister (Bristol Rovers Ability)

Match Official of the Year – Ellie Stevens

Ellie refs every week no matter what the weather. She is calm and consistent and manages the game very well. She had a few difficult games at the beginning where a lot of young refs would have stopped, but she put it down as experience and used it to reflect on what to do if it happens again, which has made her stronger. The younger girls look up to her and ask her questions about football and refereeing. There have been several youth girls that has since gone on to complete their refereeing course after speaking to Ellie, which has had a positive impact on having more female referees.

Highly Commended: Chris Wilmot

New Volunteer of the Year – Ciara Molloy (Brunel Bantams)

Ciara this year stepped up to be lead coach for our Under 11s squad. The planning, care and emotional intelligence that Ciara shows every time she is with the group is outstanding. Her patience and positivity have ensured that this group continue to bond and remain inclusive in a way that I believe no other coach could. The wider effects of having Ciara as a role model in our club are huge. We badly need female coaches to step up and volunteer to inspire our girls and keep them playing and engaging. Ciara takes time out of her hectic schedule to speak to parents who are interested in learning more. Several female volunteers have begun to help during sessions and this is no coincidence. Ciara is both a leader and an empathetic and compassionate mentor.

Highly Commended: Heather Stevens (Avon Youth League & Hanham Minor League)

Coach of the Year (Male Pathway) – Mark Brain (Lydney Town Youth)

Mark is amazing. The team started off at just u5s with a lot of the same lads he still has now. He has created a friendship unit, a family and has had a massive input into the way the boys believe in themselves and know they can achieve anything they put their minds to. He works night shifts 6 nights, trains our lads before he goes off to work and then doesn't sleep on the mornings he has to take the lads for their matches Saturday and Sunday. Mark is a fantastic coach, friend, idol and someone that has dedicated 11+ years of his life to making sure these kids play football and stay off the streets. He deserves this award in more ways then anyone could imagine.

Highly Commended: Gavin Hudson (Rodborough Youth)

The Lioness Award – Nyah Kiwanuka (Bristol Central Youth)

Nyah stands out due to her passion and her determination. Nyah was inspirational at ensuring the club created the girls team and it has allowed these girls an option which they didn't have before locally. She kept badgering the club chairman to set it up and wasn't deterred when it failed first time. Now they have created a Wildcats group with regular attendance of 18+ players. The girls have been coming for nearly 18 months and they are developing so much. She is a true inspiration.

Highly Commended: Terry Brown (Yate United Youth)

Club of the Year – Abbeymead Rovers FC

Abbeymead have over 50 teams and the many different teams they offer to the community is great. The age range is U5 to over 70 walking football, they don’t have a main pitch or club house but strive to offer the best experience for anyone who wants to play football. They support many local families who cannot afford to send their children to a football club, waive any fees and also try to help with any kit needed. The children and adults all enjoy the atmosphere and the experience of playing for a grassroots club.

Highly Commended: St Nicholas FC

Bobby Moore Award – Philip Tomkins (Cinderford Town)

Phil is known as Mr Cinderford Town. He is 77 and has helped Cinderford Town for 40 years from groundsman to kitman to maintenance around the ground. He is always available to help the new players, old players and is always happy to help the management team with anything that is needed. He also keeps the old kits/training gear to send away to charity. He turns up every day to sort the jobs that need doing and always with a smile that makes us all happy.

Highly Commended: Colin Stevens (Cotswold Youth League)