East Riding FA Grassroots Football Awards
2023 Grassroots Football Award Winners Announced
The East Riding FA Grassroots Football Awards are for the people who make a positive difference. It’s our way to celebrate the fantastic individuals, clubs and leagues who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across East Riding – and say a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who inspire us all.
The award winners were nominated by their peers and selected by a judging panel headed by East Riding FA Chief Executive Officer Adam Lowthorpe.
This years winners make grassroots football happen and help create a lifetime of memories. They connect community's, empower people to play and go above and beyond for the benefit of others.
They have demonstrated the true power of football, they have stuck together, helped each other across teams, across clubs and showed why the football community is so important to to the people of East Riding.
On behalf of everyone at East Riding FA and the wider grassroots football community we would like to say a huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners – and a big thank you for making our county the best place to play and enjoy grassroots football.
East riding fa grassroots football Lioness Award
East Riding Girls Football League Under 8's Division
Presented by Lioness Legend Carol Thomas this years winner have had a huge impact on increasing the amount of girls playing grassroots football in East Riding.
It provides a fantastic opportunity to play the game in a fun, safe and welcoming environment and is credited with giving girls a positive first experience of competitive football.
The division is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and they put the players firmly at the heart of it.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Positive Environment Award
Brett Romeniuk - Wilberfoss Mavericks JFC
The winner of this year’s award is a volunteer who's gone the extra mile to create a positive football culture.
He has created a fun, safe and inclusive environment for everyone at the club and works tirelessly for the benefit of others.
Brett is kind, helpful and approachable and prioritise the needs of the club’s members over their own.
Most importantly Brett has inspired others to join the club and he personally upholds the behaviours we all want to see in the grassroots game
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Volunteer of the Year
Jennifer Megson - Southcoates United
This year’s award winner became club secretary last year despite having no previous experience.
She has made an instant impact at her club and her passion for football is clear for all to see with her working tirelessly for the benefit of the local community.
Since taking on the role she has had to learn new skills and adapt to various challenges.
This year’s winner works incredibly hard to make sure the club she is part of is inviting and welcoming.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Young Volunteer of the Year
Emily Skelton - Hessle Rangers
Despite not being a huge fan of football Emily spends countless hours playing, coaching and helping run the clubs matchday kitchen.
An inspiration to the girls who attend the clubs Weetabix Wildcats sessions Emily goes above and beyond to make sure training is fun and inclusive.
Emily is dedicated to to the many roles she has taken on and has made a huge impact at the club with no job ever to much trouble.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Match official of the Year
Graham Wilkin
This year’s award winner is a stalwart of the local game and has been involved in grassroots football for a number of years.
Known for his reliability and fairness this year’s winner has shown great dedication to being a match official and takes great pride in being able to support others.
Our award winner acts with the upmost integrity, shows empathy and contributes to a positive match day.
A champion of referees this year’s award winner Is a shining example to other match officials in our county.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Grounds Team of the Year
David Kirby - Springhead FC
This year’s winner plays a really important role in making sure his club’s facilities are match-ready all year round.
He takes great prides in providing the best possible playing surface which is no mean feat when you consider he has 10 grass pitches to look after.
He also helps keep the whole space safe, week in, week out only recently helped shift over 100 tons of topsoil and sand to make sure the pitches are in the best possible position come the start of the season.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Coach of the Year - Male Pathway
Joe Cooney - Pocklington Town
The winner of this year’s award has dedicated over 20 years of his life to coaching grassroots football at Pocklington Town.
Renowned for his positivity and dedication our award winner is respected by the players he coaches, and he can be relied upon to offer advice and guidance.
Last season he led the club’s senior men’s side to its first ever Humber Premier League title and more recently Joe has found time to start coaching disability football at the club.
EAST RIDING FA GRASSROOTS COACH OF THE YEAR - FEMALE PATHWAY
Hannah & Leah Darvell - Malet Lambert YC
This year we have joint award winners, and they are credited with creating a family like atmosphere at the club with the FA RESPECT values at the centre of everything they do.
They have helped foster friendships that will last a lifetime and they ensure that the team always have a smile on their face win or lose.
Our award winners have developed strong positive relationships with players, parents and other coaches which are built on respect and trust.
Most importantly the coaches listen to their players and respect their views and opinions.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Coach of the Year - Disability Pathway
Chris Newby BIFC - Hull
This year’s award winner stepped in when there was no one else to coach the side. Since then, he has gone on to work at various age groups and taken on many other roles at the club.
Nothing is ever to much trouble for this year’s award winner and he always puts the needs of others in front of his own.
He treats all his players with respect and compassion and has created a safe, inclusive and positive space for everyone to enjoy football.
EAST RIDING FA GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL LEAGUE OF THE YEAR
Hull and District Veterans Football League
The winner of this years award is England Football Accredited is for players aged 36 and over.
It was formed in 2001 with just six teams and has gone from strength to strength with nearly 1500 players registered last season.
This season will see over 50 team take part which is a record number of teams for the league with a new over 50’s division also set to feature for the first time.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Club of the Year
Costello FC
This years winners are Three-star England Football Accredited club and based in West Hull
This is a club that is at the heart of the community and has been existence for over 23 years with over 350 players currently registered.
Costello FC IS supported by over 100 volunteer and they proud of their ability to retain players.
The club also hosts an annual charity match to raise money for the Queens Centre at Castle Hill in memory of Helen Winfield.
EAST RIDING FA ALL PLAY AWARD
Hull & East Yorkshire Powerchair Football Club
The award was created to recognise volunteers, clubs and projects who are making an exceptional contribution to disability football in East Riding.
This year’s winner has been providing Powerchair football for over 10 years and is run by a committed group of volunteers.
The club is more than just what happens on the court though with it also providing the opportunity for the families of the players to unite and share experiences.
Most recently the clubs first team has been promoted to the Wheelchair Football Association National League Premiership.
East Riding FA Pitch Partners Award sponsored by East Riding Turfcare
Great Driffield AFC
This years winner has made huge strides in improving the quality of their grass football pitches.
Volunteers from the have attended workshops, secured machinery funding most importantly taken their pitches from 'poor' to good'.
This years winners are a fantastic example of grassroots football clubs can achieve with support from the GMA, Football Foundation and East Riding FA.