Nominate for Kent awards
Nominations are now open for Kent FA’s annual Grassroots Football Awards. The awards are split into categories and anybody can nominate through an online portal. The Kent FA will select their local winner to form a shortlist for the FA national winners, which are selected by a national judging panel.
The categories are for coach of the year for adults, project of the year, coach of the year for youth, rising star, club of the year, match official of the year, league of the year, grounds team of the year, volunteer of the year and the spirit of grassroots football award.
Launching the nomination process, the Kent FA said: “These are for people who make a positive difference to our beautiful game. It’s our way of recognising and celebrating the fantastic individuals who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across
Kent – and to say a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who inspire us all. “This season our grassroots volunteers have adapted to the ever-changing coronavirus pandemic.
They responded quickly to make football happen when they could. And when they couldn’t play they kept players, volunteers and the wider community connected off the pitch.
“They demonstrated the true power of football, they stuck together, helped each other across teams, across clubs and showed what the football community could do when faced with uncertainty and an unparalleled situation.” New for 2021, Kent FA have also launched The Colin Boswell Young Referee of the Year award. Sadly, in May 2020, Colin Boswell, former Kent FA President, passed away after a short battle with cancer. He was also a Football League referee in his time.
Kent FA’s chief executive Darryl Haden said: “This new award is a fitting tribute to Colin, who dedicated so much of his life to Kent football, and as a County FA we are very proud to be able to launch this as part of our grassroots awards for 2021. “Colin was very supportive of young referees across the county and took great pleasure in seeing them develop. We look forward to receiving the nominations for young referee of the year.” The award is open to affiliated referees aged 14-21. The closing date for all awards is Tuesday, May 4 and can be made through the Kent FA website.