GRASSROOTS HEROES CELEBRATED AT 2022 VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Grassroots football’s finest were recognised and rewarded last week as we held our Volunteer Awards which were once again supported by Chaplin Farrant. 

Long standing partners to Norfolk FA, Chaplin Farrant, were sponsors of the Awards for the fifth time with Director and Architect Mark Camidge being welcomed onto stage by Chairman Michael Banham in the opening speech to pose for a photo with the Sunday Senior Cup, the Norfolk County Cup competition also being sponsored by them this season.

Norfolk FA Chairman, Michael Banham (left), alongside Chaplin Farrant Director, Mark Camidge with the Chaplin Farrant Sunday Senior Cup trophy. Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA22 PHOTOS.

The Awards were hosted by our Chief Executive, Matt Carpenter, and Head of Football Services, Matt Lemmon who amused the crowd throughout the evening alongside musical entertainment from Claire Barker and Paul Hill.

Paul Hill (left) and Claire Barker (right) entertain all in attendance with their musical performances. Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA22 PHOTOS.

With hundreds of nominations, categories were extremely tough to judge, and some were recognised through highly commended awards for deserving individuals who only just missed out on the win. 

A total of 40 awards were handed out by Chairman Michael Banham across two formats: The England Football & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards, and The FA & Norfolk FA Long Service Awards. 

Norfolk FA Chairman Michael Banham commented on the success of the evening: “Friday night’s Volunteer Awards was once again a fantastic evening where we were able to show our appreciation to the volunteer workforce that truly makes Norfolk Football happen each and every week.

“Each year this brilliant occasion presents me with the opportunity to meet and thank so many individuals that dedicate their time to ensuring our local game thrives, and on behalf of Norfolk County Football Association, my sincere appreciation goes to all of them.

“I’d also like to place on record my thanks to Mark Camidge and everybody at Chaplin Farrant who have continued to support the Volunteer Awards for the fifth year running, and without whom we would not be able to celebrate our dedicated volunteers to this level.”

(Left to right) Norfolk FA Chief Executive, Matt Carpenter; Director and Architect at Chaplin Farrant, Mark Camidge; Norfolk FA Chairman, Michael Banham. Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA22 PHOTOS.

Norfolk FA Chief Executive, and one of the hosts on the night, Matt Carpenter added: “It was once again a privilege to be able to host this year’s Volunteer Awards which serves as an opportunity to celebrate the amazing volunteers within Norfolk Football.

“Grassroots Football in our County would be nothing without the dedication of those that care so deeply about the game, and I was honoured to share the stage with such devoted individuals, some of whom have supported football in Norfolk for over half a century.  

“My thanks go to all of these incredible people as without them we wouldn’t have a local game. But also, to everyone at Chaplin Farrant who have shown such passion for grassroots football over the years and continue to support this special occasion to ensure that our volunteers can be celebrated and rewarded to the level in which they deserve."

A full list of awards and winners is as follows:

The England Football & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards

• Club of the Year – Martham FC
• Coach of the Year (Youth Teams) – Chelsea Brister
  • Highly commended: Karl Barnard
• Coach of the Year (Adult Teams) – Neil Jarvis
• Grounds Team of the Year – Peter Goodfellow & David Todd
  • Highly commended: Richard Bandrowski
• League of the Year – Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League
  • Highly commended: Norfolk Combined Youth League & North West Norfolk League
• Match Official of the Year – Rob Bunting
• Project of the Year – New Routes
• Rising Star of the Year – Francesca Catchpole
• Volunteer of the Year – Tanya Pitt
  • Highly commended: Gary Howes
• Spirit of Grassroots Football Award – Gabby Evbota
  • Highly commended: Costessey Sports FC

The England Football & McDonald's Grassroots Football Awards winners. Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA22 PHOTOS.

The Norfolk FA and The FA Long Service Awards

• 10 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Chris Griffin-Sparrow (Harleston FC)
• 10 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Matthew Goodfellow (Earsham FC)
• 10 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Steve Postle (Dereham Town Youth FC
• 15 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Kim Woodbine (Necton FC)
• 15 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Jon Bush (Castle Rising FC)
• 25 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Thelma Dowe (Poringland Wanderers Youth FC)
• 25 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Derek Woodbine (Necton FC)
• 25 Years’ Service as a Club Officer - Mark Brown (Wymondham Town FC)
• 25 Years’ Service as A Club Officer - Steve Finch (Wells Town FC)
• 10 Years’ Service as a League Officer - Steve Brown (Norwich & District Sunday League)
• 10 Years’ Service as a League Official - Steve Finch (Anglian Combination League)
• 15 Years’ Service as a League Officer - Annette Champion (Norfolk Women’s & Girls’ Football League)
• 15 Years’ Service as a League Officer - Alison Moore (Norfolk Women’s & Girls’ Football League)
• 15 Years’ Service as a League Officer - Ben Casey (Norwich & District Sunday League)
• 25 Years’ Service as a League Official - Paul Roofe (Anglian Combination League)
• 10 Years’ Service as a Match Official - John Fogarty
• 10 Years’ Service As A Match Official - Andrew Waite
• 15 Years’ Service As A Match Official - Richard Green
• 25 Years’ Service as a Match Official - Victor Petri
• 15 Years’ Service as a Groundsman - Jon Bush (Castle Rising FC)
• 25 Years’ Service as a Groundsman - Richard Bandrowski (Mattishall FC)
• 25 Years’ Service as a Groundsman - Steve Finch (Wells Town FC)
• The FA 50 Years’ Service Award – John Fysh (Downham Town FC)
• The FA 50 Years’ Service Award – Donny Pye
• The FA 100 Years’ Football Club Award - Bridgham United FC

The FA & Norfolk FA Long Service Award winners. Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA22 PHOTOS.

Photography 

A big thank you to David Richardson of Bigphatphotos for being our official photographer at this year's Volunteer Awards.

A full album of photos from the evening can be found here: VA22 PHOTOS