On Thursday 22nd September, Bedfordshire FA hosted their inaugural County FA Grassroots Awards. The Bedfordshire FA Grassroots Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the individuals/clubs that have been identified as going above and beyond to benefit the local grassroots game. Following a hiatus resulting from the Covid 19 Pandemic, the evening welcomed award winners from the 20/21 and 21/22 season. 

The event also allowed Bedfordshire FA to thank and celebrate some of its partners and sponsors who work tremendously hard throughout the season to help support the local game. 

On the night, these included:

• Gavin Lemmon (The FA)
• Graham Simpson (Be Active)
• Kevin Randall (Pro Direct Academy)
• Matt Harrod (MH Goals Ltd)
• Kim Campton (British Sugar Topsoil)

An extended thank you to Guy Wills Sports Photography for capturing the event and providing magnificent photographs.

From coaches who provide priceless opportunities for young people to participate in football no matter the weather to grounds teams who work all year round to maintain pitches; the efforts of the volunteers in grassroots football deserves to be celebrated. Whilst the story behind each award winner was unique, the dedication, desire and passion to serve and develop the game was at the heart of each nomination.  A huge congratulations to each of the winners listed below:

Season 2020/21 Winners:
• GRASSROOTS COACH (ADULT TEAM) AWARD - Angelika Kopec Knurek
• GRASSROOTS COACH (YOUTH TEAM) AWARD – Steve Baggaley
• GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEER AWARD – Nick Pinder
• GROUNDSMAN AWARD - Wes Matthews
• GROUNDSMAN AWARD (Highly Commended) - Tony Holmes, Ben Simkins & Mark Hobley
• GROUNDS TEAM AWARD– Tom Belton & Paul O’Brien
• GRASSROOTS CLUB AWARD- Dunstable Town
• GRASSROOTS PROJECT AWARD – Dennis O’Meara
• RISING STAR AWARD – Tia Fleming 

Season 2021/22 Winners:
• GRASSROOTS COACH (ADULT TEAM) AWARD – Liam Doyle
• GRASSROOTS COACH (YOUTH TEAM) AWARD - Tom O'Mara
• GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEER AWARD – Emma Vase
• GROUNDS TEAM AWARD– Owen Younger  
• GRASSROOTS CLUB AWARD- Dunstable Town
• GRASSROOTS PROJECT AWARD – Mid Beds Futsal
• GRASSROOTS LEAGUE OF THE YEAR – Bedfordshire County Football League
• THE SPIRIT OF GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARD – Janice and Steve Collett
• RISING STAR AWARD– Joshua Bowie 
• LIFE SAVING AWARD – Alasan Ann
• LONG SERVICE AWARD – Chris Davison
• LONG SERVICE AWARD – Peter Brown
• OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO FOOTBALL AWARD – Lui La Mura
• OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO FOOTBALL AWARD – Langford Tea Ladies

Bedfordshire FA is truly honoured to serve such an inspiring community and last week’s event provided a snapshot of the outstanding work that is being carried out across the county. Thank you to everyone that attended for making it such a memorable evening and for all the tireless work and effort that goes into supporting the grassroots football community in Bedfordshire.

Keep an eye out on our social media and website for how to put forward nominations in 2023 throughout this season.