Grassroots Heroes Celebrated at 2023 Volunteer Awards
Grassroots Heroes Celebrated at 2023 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 sixth time with Director and Architect Mark Camidge being amongst the guests on the evening. Chaplin Farrant are again the sponsors of this season’s Sunday Senior Cup, which you can find more about by clicking here.
Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA23 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. Norfolk FA Chairman, Michael Banham, presented the Awards both as Norfolk FA Chairman and a member of FA Council.
Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA23 PHOTOS
With over 100 nominations, categories were extremely tough to judge, and some were recognised through highly commended awards for deserving individuals who only just missed out being awarded the main prize.
A total of 56 awards were handed out by Chairman Michael Banham across three formats: The England Football Grassroots Football Awards, The FA & Norfolk FA Long Service Awards and The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing 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 I had the privilege of presenting The FA 50 Year Medal to seven worthy recipients who have been part of our wonderful game for all that time. 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 sixth year running, and without whom we would not be able to celebrate our dedicated volunteers to this level.”
Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA23 PHOTOS
Norfolk FA Chief Executive, and main host 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 Grassroots Football Awards
- Club of the Year – Bure Valley FC
- Coach of the Year (Male Player Pathway) – Jason Best
- Highly commended: Luke Coppen
- Coach of the Year (Female Player Pathway) – David Clarke
- Coach of the Year (Disability Player Pathway) – Darren Hunter
- Grounds Team of the Year – Jason Brister
- Highly commended: Jeff Lake & Thomas Lake
- League of the Year – North West Norfolk League
- Match Official of the Year – Samuel Gasson-Cox
- Highly commended: Andy Lucraft-Townley
- New Volunteer of the Year – James Pollard
- Young Volunteer of the Year – Gracie East
- The Lioness Award – Norwich Women’s Walking Football Club
- Positive Football Environment Award – Alive KLCF
Photography: Bigphatphotos. Full album: VA23 PHOTOS
The Norfolk FA and The FA Long Service Awards
- FA 50 Years’ Service Award - Paddy Murphy
- FA 50 Years’ Service Award - Paul Roofe
- FA 50 Years’ Service Award - Colin Tovell
- FA 50 Years’ Service Award - Barry Knight
- FA 50 Years’ Service Award - Trevor Cobb
- FA 50 Years’ Service Award - Chris McCullough
- FA 50 Years’ Service Award - Paul Ballard
- Club Officer or Official - 10 Years’ Service - Martin Spillett – Yaxham FC
- Club Officer or Official - 10 Years’ Service - Tony Leggett – Watlington Sports & Social Club FC
- Club Officer or Official - 15 Years’ Service - Kevin Brown – Vale Longo FC
- Club Officer or Official - 25 Years’ Service - Michael Williams – Griffin FC/Cottage FC
- League Officer or Official - 10 Years’ Service - Dale Brown – Anglian Combination League
- League Officer or Official - 10 Years’ Service - Wayne Footer – North West Norfolk League
- League Officer or Official - 15 Years’ Service - Jack Smith –Anglian Combination League
- League Officer or Official – 15 Years’ Service - Andrew Dix – North West Norfolk League
- League Officer or Official – 25 Years’ Service - Ray Venemore – North West Norfolk League
- Norfolk County FA Council Member – 15 Years’ Service - Paul Ballard
- Norfolk County FA Council Member – 25 Years’ Service - Mick Utting
- Match Official – 10 Years’ Service - Dario Matthewson
- Match Official – 10 Years’ Service - Paul Gibson
- Match Official – 10 Years’ Service - Murray Grant
- Match Official – 15 Years’ Service - Christopher Steele
- Match Official – 15 Years’ Service - Michael Inder
- Match Official – 25 Years’ Service - Tony Collins
- Match Official – 25 Years’ Service - Phil South
- Match Official – 25 Years’ Service - Brian Russell
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Philip Wynes
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Philip South
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Antony Collins
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Carl Thomson
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Nigel Evans
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Mark Riches
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Stuart Boorman
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Glenn Hambling
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 25 Years - Kevin Betts
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 40 Years - Andrew Tyne
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 40 Years - Paul Newby
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 40 Years - Brian Russell
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 40 Years - David Fairhurst
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 40 Years - Jack Smith
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 40 Years - John Tythcott
- The FA Continuous Service to Refereeing Award - 40 Years - Barry Knight
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, available to purchase from the evening can be found here: VA23 PHOTOS