Grassroots Football Awards

Community Club of the Year is an award for FAW Accredited and Affiliated clubs that deserve special recognition for the work they do. Clubs are a focal part of communities across Cymru and this award recognises active, successful and well-run football clubs which retain and attract participants and volunteers.
A club may have started new teams and/or initiatives over the last 12 months, tackle inequalities within their local community or provide a full pathway for people to grow and develop.
Having the FAW’s key values (Excellence, Family and respect) at the forefront of all activity and strategic planning, the club creates a safe, fun and inclusive environment for ALL.

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a coach at a grassroots club or Fun Football Centre. Having a minimum qualification of the FAW Football Leaders Award, this coach goes above and beyond what is expected of them! 

This coach may inspire young players, creating the best environment for people to grow and learn the game, whilst giving up their time and investing in their own expertise to help others enjoy football. 

With the FAW’s key values (Excellence, Family and Respect) at the focal point of every session, the winner is someone who is inclusive whilst encouraging people starting, staying and/or succeeding in football through high quality coaching. 

Volunteer of the Year recognises our dedicated volunteers who make grassroots football happen. These individuals work hard to complete all the off-pitch jobs that are essential to keeping our game going whilst providing opportunities for their local communities. 

This award is for someone who gives their time and talent to enable others to take part in football through a non-coaching capacity from being an administrator to first aider; someone who supports others and helps grow the game. 

Whilst displaying the FAW’s key values (Excellence, Family and Respect) this could be someone that has helped ensure children have been able to return to activity, an innovation league member that has enabled football to thrive in any window of opportunity or someone that has created additional opportunities to keep clubs and children engaged. 

This award recognises an individual, aged 21 and younger, that is dedicated to helping make grassroots football enjoyable for everyone. 

They have made a significant contribution to football within their community, are a role model who acts responsibility whilst encouraging, supporting, and inspiring others. Displaying our key values (Excellence, Family and Respect), the winner of this award may connect with their local community to provide additional opportunities to support their physical and mental wellbeing. These young people are the future of our game across Cymru.

This award is for a McDonald’s Fun Football provider that organises the best ‘turn up and play’ sessions in Wales and has had a significant impact on football participation. 

Working towards our key values (Excellence, Family and Respect), they provide informal, organised football activity with an emphasis on skill development through creative football practice, ensuring that all participants have a fun and exciting experience of the game. The winner of this award will be a provider that is inclusive and provides the essential positive first experience of football. 

This award highlights a match official’s commitment to grassroots football and supports the delivery of the game. A referee can be officiating at any level of Welsh football who advocates the FAW’s key values of Excellence, Family & Respect at all times. The winner may also be someone that acts as a mentor supporting new players and/or referees into the game through their work with local clubs, leagues, Area Associations and/or referee societies.

This award recognises a special individual, club, league or group who uses the power of football to positively impact people’s lives. They have enabled a group of players or volunteers to access football and have evidenced a significant and positive social impact through engagement in football. 

Showing the impact the football family can have on the community, the winner may create opportunities for those with disabilities, remove barriers to participation for ethnically diverse communities, run an initiative aimed at reducing crime, have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing or create a safe football environment for people from the LGBTQ+ community to be their true authentic selves.

This award looks to recognise an individual who has shown dedication and commitment to grassroots football for many years. This individual is a role model within their local community and continues to provide opportunities for all through their work with a club or league. Throughout their time involved in football they have consistently displayed the FAW’s key values (Excellence, Family and Respect) and deserve to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the sport. 

This award is for an individual, club, group or league that are using football as a vehicle to support economic, social, environmental and/or cultural well-being, contributing towards making Cymru a better place for its people, now and in the future. Linking to the FAW’s Sustainability Strategy, Cymru, Well-being and the World, the winner of this award is progressive and advocates for local and global issues off the pitch impacting our game and communities. 

Committed to the impact the wider football family can have on the community, now and for future generations, the winner is conducting work off the pitch that may improve the nation’s health by focusing on prevention and early intervention, ensuring that facilities create a positive impact and are fit for the future, whilst shifting mindsets and team culture to live the change we want to see in others and/or are making substantial changes to become net zero. 

Football Restaurant of the Year chosen nationally by McDonald’s in collaboration with the Football Association of Wales.