Volunteer Spirit shines through at Berks & Bucks FA Grassroots Football Awards

Photo credit: Neil Graham

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Football volunteers from across the region, who’s selfless efforts ensure the game continues to thrive at all levels, were celebrated last week at the annual Berks & Bucks FA and Grassroots Football Awards evening.

While championing clubs and players, this awards event is more about the tireless work that goes on off the pitch to help clubs and players compete to the best of their abilities.

With those shortlisted for awards having been announced a month or so ago, a glitzy ceremony was held in the Ballroom at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes on Thursday (July 31).

Awards were handed out across 17 categories spanning various areas of the game, from Club of the Year, Young Volunteer to Green Leadership and Outstanding Contribution honours.

Among those to win awards on the night were Phil Oakley at Maidenhead United CT, who won Coach of the Year (Male Pathway) Award and Adrian Gomm at Slough Town who won the EDI Champion of the Year Award.

The East Berkshire Football League also won the League of the Year Award.

The FA said that the awards are the association’s way of recognising the exceptional individuals who put their ‘heart and soul into football across the region, and who make a positive difference for all’.

The work of volunteers in the area created fun, safe and welcoming environments for both players and supporters and ensured many thousands of adults and children were able to participate in the game at various levels.

Steph Clark, Football Communications Officer at Berks & Bucks FA said: “Events like the annual Grassroots Football Awards are always very special as they provide a wonderful opportunity for us to recognise, thank and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our dedicated volunteer workforce.

“There are thousands of people involved in the grassroots game across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and South Oxfordshire who dedicate their time and effort to support clubs and leagues in their local communities to ensure grassroots football in our region goes ahead week in and week out. To be nominated for an award alone is a wonderful achievement, to be a shortlisted finalist or category winner is certainly cause for celebration and something everyone can be incredibly proud of – congratulations!”

The winners of the Berks & Bucks FA & Grassroots Football Awards are as follows:

W England Football Awards:

W Club of the Year Award - RG4 FC.

W League of the Year Award - East Berkshire Football League.

W Match Official of the Year Award - Aiden Pyle.

W Young Volunteer of the Year Award - Amit Manna (BBFA Youth Network).

W Grounds Team of the Year Award - Wantage Town FC.

W New Volunteer of the Year Award - Emily Withington (MK United FC).

W Positive Behaviour Award - Viet Tran (Didcot Town).

W Coach of the Year (Female Pathway) Award - Becky Ponting (Abingdon Youth).

W Coach of the Year (Disability Pathway) Award - David Leno (Thatcham Tornados).

W Coach of the Year (Male Pathway) Award - Phil Oakley (Maidenhead United CT).

W The Lioness Award - Carl Miller (Stoke Mandeville Girls FC),

W Bobby Moore Award - Lorraine Abruzzese (Stoke Mandeville Girls FC)

W Berks & Bucks FA Awards:

W Volunteer of the Year Award - Linda Woodham (Buckingham Football Club Youth).

W Outstanding Contribution Award - Caroline Hitt (Reading & District Sunday Football League).

W Impact of Football Award - Woodley United FC.

W Green Leadership Award - Newport Pagnell Town FC,

W EDI Champion of the Year Award - Adrian Gomm (Slough Town FC)