12 volunteers from throughout the nation had been honoured on Sunday 10 August 2025 at England Soccer’s Grassroots Soccer Awards, which happened forward of The FA Group Protect fixture between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at London’s Wembley Stadium, linked by EE.
The Grassroots Soccer Awards are a nationwide celebration of the volunteers from throughout the nation that dedicate their time, vitality and energy to permit grassroots soccer to thrive. This 12 months additionally marked a record-breaking milestone, with over 12,000 nominations submitted throughout 12 award classes.
There are over a million individuals supporting grassroots soccer alone every year, with volunteers taking up a wide range of completely different roles – from making teas and placing up aim posts all through to devoted coaches and welfare officers. The awards are a chance for England Soccer to provide again to the volunteers for his or her excellent contribution to grassroots soccer of their group.
The ceremony was hosted by BBC Match of the Day presenter, Mark Chapman, with awards introduced by footballing legends Emile Heskey, John Barnes, Rachel Yankey, Paul Merson and Rachel Brown-Finnis. The distinguished Bobby Moore award was introduced by Sir Geoff Hurst.
Earlier than The FA Group Protect kicked off, the winners got once-in-a-lifetime rewards alongside the ceremony, with the Coach of the Yr winners capable of tour Wembley Stadium’s altering rooms, tunnel, dugouts, and press convention room, and the Optimistic Behaviour winner having the chance to place the match ball on the enduring plinth forward of kick-off. The volunteers had been then given unique seats to look at the sport, and through half-time, had been honoured contained in the stadium on the massive screens while getting into the pitch in entrance of the 90,000 soccer followers in attendance.
James Kendall, Director of Soccer Improvement at The FA, mentioned: “The England Soccer Grassroots Soccer Awards are a really big day the place we will rejoice the people who make such a constructive and lasting impression on grassroots soccer in England.
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of the grassroots sport up and down the nation, making certain the operation, participation and success of soccer at this degree. The 12 winners are a credit score to our society, and their devotion to supporting individuals and constructing communities by means of soccer deserves to be recognised.”
To search out out extra or to sign-up to develop into a volunteer, please go to the England Soccer web site: https://www.englandfootball.com/take part/volunteer
The Grassroots Soccer Awards are held yearly at Wembley Stadium, hosted by The FA’s volunteer model, The England Soccer Household. 12 awards are introduced to winners from throughout the nation, chosen by an impartial panel from 1000’s of nominations.
2025 Awards included: Bobby Moore Award, Coach of the Yr (Male Pathway), Coach of the Yr (Feminine Pathway), Coach of the Yr (Incapacity Pathway), Younger Volunteer of the Yr, League of the Yr, New Volunteer of the Yr, Lioness Award, Membership of the Yr, Optimistic Behaviour Award, Grounds Crew of the Yr and Match Official of the Yr.
For additional data on the awards or interview requests with the winners, please contact MatchFit.
