East Riding FA Grassroots Football Awards 2024
Thursday 18th July 2024
Last night the MKM Stadium in Hull played host to the annual East Riding FA Grassroots Football Awards.
Over 250 people from across the county were invited to attend so that we could celebrate their contribution grassroots football over the past year.
The ceremony which was hosted by James Hoggarth from BBC Radio Humberside saw us present 19 sperate awards with volunteers, match officials, clubs and leagues recognised.
The 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.
Here are this years main award winners:
EAST RIDING FA Bobby Moore Award
Rick Skelton – Hessle Rangers CIC
Ricks devotion to the game and the commitment he affords to it is remarkable.
No job is ever too big or too small and he is a champion of inclusion.
He volunteers countless hours of his time at one of the Counties biggest clubs and spends just as much time off the field volunteering as he does on it. Rick is an advocate of FA led initiatives and quite simply he just wants his community to be able to play and volunteer in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.
EAST RIDING FA Positive Football Environment Award
Lisa Adamson – Kingswood United
Lisa works tirelessly as a club welfare officer at the region’s biggest grassroots football club.
She is a champion of young people and wants every young person to be able to play football in a safe and inclusive environment.
Lisa has put processes in place help safeguard young people and challenge poor behaviour and she makes huge personal sacrifices for the benefit of grassroots football.
East Riding FA New Volunteer of the Year
Charlie Constantine - Elloughton Blackburn FC
Charlie started volunteering at the club just over a year ago and acts as the club’s parent representative on their committee.
She is the liaison between parents, coaches, and the committee and helps keep parents informed whilst also providing them with a voice.
Her effect on the club has been profound and bring all areas of the club closer together.
The judging panel said the selflessness, dedication, and positive impact on the she has had on the club in such a short space of time make her a standout nominee for the New Volunteer of the Year award.
East Riding FA Young Volunteer of the Year
Finley Blount - Barham AFC
Finley is aged just 15 years old and he supports his mum and dad with the running of Barham AFC.
He is credited with having a tremendous work ethic, friendly personality and he also has the ability to communicate with people of all ages.
Finley spends all his free time down at the club helping others whilst also being e is also a qualified referee.
The judges said he is a great example to other young people and shows that volunteering really is for people of all ages.
East Riding FA Lioness Award
Pocklington Town AFC
Pocklington Town have taken a holistic approach to female participation and offer competitive and recreational playing opportunities through FA programmes such as Weetabix Wildcats and Squad Girls and through the determination of key individuals.
The club has created a whole new female section which has led them to not only creating more opportunities to play, but to also coach.
The warm welcome and positive approach means that this club is a great place for females to play and volunteer at.
East Riding County Women's League
East Riding County Women's League was formed back in 1991 to give females aged 16 and over the opportunity to keep playing football.
The league creates opportunities for women to play at all levels of football and recently they have created a second division to encourage more development teams to participate.
The league which is led by small but dedicated committee of volunteers has enjoyed rich history of providing females with the opportunity to play football competitively.
East Riding FA Club of the Year
Barham AFC
After what started out as a turn up and play football session on a Saturday morning East Hull based Barham AFC have now grown to 19 teams and over 200 players.
The club is led by a dedicated group of volunteers who put their heart and soul into giving people from their local community the opportunity to play football.
The rapid growth of the club is put down to the warm welcome new players received and because of the dedication of the volunteers who serve the club so well.
East Riding FA Coach of the Year – Male Pathway
Sean Gibson – Nafferton Youth Football Club
Sean is a previous winner of the East Riding FA Unsung Hero of the Month award and has continued to make a positive impact at Nafferton JFC.
Renowned for his kindness and supportive nature Sean has created an environment where everyone is welcome.
His dedication is relentless, and he also serves as the Club Chairperson and Welfare Officer.
East Riding FA Coach of the Year – Female Pathway
Hayley Chadwick – Great Driffield AFC
Hayley's enthusiasm is infectious, and she has inspired females from her community to play football for the first time.
She inspires people with her positivity and includes everyone in everything she does.
After what initially started out as a Snickers Just Play Centre Hayley has moulded a team which will now compete in the East Riding County Women’s League.
East Riding FA Coach of the Year – Disability Pathway
John Price – Bridlington Rangers
John is credited with trying to meet the needs of every single play. He meets challenges head on and finds a way to overcome them.
He makes training fun, and he dedicates so much of time so that disabled young people can play football.
All this whilst also coaching two other junior football teams.
East Riding FA All Play Award
Howden AFC
The East Riding FA All Play Award will recognise the individuals, clubs and projects who are making an exceptional contribution to disability football in East Riding.
This year’s winners have shown tremendous dedication to giving disabled youngster the opportunity to play football and they are led by a team of devoted volunteers who care passionately about what they provide.
Training is fun, safe and inclusive and the players always leave with a smile on their face.
East Riding FA Pitch Partners Award Sponsored by East Riding Turf Care
James Townend - Newbald Junior Football Club
James has the successfully progressed grass pitches from ‘Poor’ to ‘Good’ quality at his club and he has secured grant funding to purchase machinery to help maintain the club’s pitches.
James is fully committed to providing the best possible playing surfaces and attends workshops to help him do so.
Wally Owst Services to Football Award
Doug Waterson - East Riding FA, Swanfield, Hull Sunday Men's League & East Riding Schools FA
This award was created in memory of long serving Hull Sunday Men's League Secretary Wally Owst. A man who dedicated his life to serving grassroots football in East Riding.
Doug Waterson is the first recipient of this annual award and he like Wally has dedicated his life to our great game.
Board Member, Committee Member, Treasurer, Manager, Secretary and player are just some of the roles he has taken on during his long period of volunteering. Indeed the club he founded, Swanfield FC are this year celebrating their 60th Anniversary.
This award is presented to the members of our grassroots football community who have made truly exceptional contributions to the game.