Nominate your grassroots football hero

THE search is on for Oxfordshire’s grassroots, football heroes and the Oxfordshire FA is asking the thousands of volunteers, players, parents, clubs, referees etc involved in local football across the county to tell them who they think deserves an FA Award – with the possibility of some finalists being put forward for national honours!

The awards aim to recognise and reward grassroots clubs, coaches and volunteers across the county who keep the game alive. Nominees can be from any walk of life and Oxfordshire FA is calling on the local community to nominate their unsung heroes who have gone above and beyond in the name of football.

There are 12 categories in this year’s Oxfordshire FA Awards, including:

• OFA Coach of the Year

• OFA Club Welfare Officer of the Year

• OFA Adult Club Respect Award

• OFA Youth Club Respect Award

• OFA League Respect Award

• The FA Charter Standard Club Award for Oxfordshire, presented by McDonald’s

• The FA Charter Standard Community Club Award for Oxfordshire, presented by McDonald’s

• The FA Charter Standard Development Club Award for Oxfordshire, presented by McDonald’s

• The FA Charter Standard League Award for Oxfordshire, presented by McDonald’s

• Volunteer of the Year Award for Oxfordshire, presented by McDonald’s

• Young Volunteer of the Year Award for Oxfordshire, presented by McDonald’s

• People’s Choice Award (Outstanding Contribution to Community Football) for Oxfordshire, presented by McDonald’s

For every eligible nomination received, Oxfordshire FA will enter the nominator into a prize draw to win a £60 Nike Voucher.
Nominations for all 12 awards categories will close on March 31, 2016.

“The FA and McDonald’s Community Awards are an absolutely brilliant way to celebrate the selflessness of all those volunteers, clubs and leagues and the innumerable hours they put into supporting grassroots football,” said James Shiplee, Football Development Officer at Oxfordshire FA. “Last year’s awards shone the spotlight on some incredible individuals and the work they do in Oxfordshire, and I would encourage everyone involved in grassroots football to vote for someone who they think truly deserves an award. It would be great to see hundreds of nominations from volunteers across the county.”

Additionally, the Oxfordshire winners of the FA Community Awards, presented by McDonald’s, will be put forward for the chance to win a national award, selected by a judging panel which will include legends of the game such as 1966 World Cup winner, Sir Geoff Hurst.

To learn more about the awards, find out about last year’s winners and nominate an individual club or league from your community,  SEE LINK or visit the FA Awards site or speak to the James Shiplee, Football Development Officer at Oxfordshire FA on 01993 894403.