Oxfordshire FA were delighted to visit all Grassroots Heroes of 2020 to present them with their awards following the recent lockdowns.

Over the past couple of months, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we were delighted to finally get out and present trophies and certificates to all of our incredible 2020 Oxfordshire FA Grassroots Football Award Winners.

Everybody at Oxfordshire FA would like to again congratulate our 2020 winners. 

Below, we take a look back at the incredible work of our Grassroots Heroes of 2020.

2020 OXFORDSHIRE FA AND MCDONALD’S GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARDS WINNERS

Grassroots Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Sarah Griffiths – Summertown Stars AFC

Sarah established Summertown Warriors, which is a new opportunity for children with Cerebral Palsy to participate in football. Sarah has put her heart and soul into the team and has had a huge impact on a number of children from across Oxfordshire and the surrounding area.



Grassroots Coach of the Year (Adults)
Winner: Pete Kerwin – Steeple Aston Football Club

Pete has shown leadership and nurtured the team, transforming it into a positive, fit, skilful side. In 2019/20, Pete oversaw a full league season without the team losing a single league game, amassing a vastly superior goal difference in the process. In addition Steeple Aston was in contention for cup glory against teams in higher divisions. 



Grassroots League of the Year
Winner: Oxfordshire Youth Football League

Creating the best environment for all involved, the Oxfordshire Youth Football League is also champions of The FA Charter Standard Programme, working closely with Oxfordshire FA to support clubs achieve their accreditation. With a hard-working, innovative committee, the league constantly tries new things to provide the best footballing experience for children across Oxfordshire. 



Grassroots Coach of the Year (Youth)
Winner: Rocky Whiting – Oxford City FC

Rocky’s enthusiasm and support is first-class. Through his tireless dedication, Rocky’s coaching sees children improve week on week, both in terms of football skill and personal confidence. He encourages friendship and fair play, with players taught to be respectful to players and adults around them.



Rising Star of the Year
Winner: Andrew Hunt – Tower Hill FC

Andrew has had a huge impact on a number of young people’s experience of football across the county. Whether people are playing, refereeing or volunteering, Andrew provides support and encourages participants to improve all the time. Andrew strives for excellence and conducts all of his roles in a positive and professional manner. He is an excellent role model.



Grassroots Grounds Team of the Year
Winner: Nick Truman and Phil Godfrey – Carterton FC

Nick and Phil give their time freely without financial reward or gain. Their work has produced several new pitches for the club, which they continue to maintain and mark each week. Together, they spend over 16 hours a week ensuring the pitches are in the best possible condition, whilst enhancing the facilities to accommodate the club’s growth.



Grassroots Club of the Year
Winner: Goring United FC

Goring United prides itself in being different to other clubs and strives to go the extra mile. The club has become a pillar of the village and provides a clear pathway from youth to open-age football for players. With a connection to local businesses and a continual push to improve facilities with minimal impact on players’ costs, Goring United is a club at the core of the community, demonstrated by its members delivering food parcels and support leaflets to over 5,000 homes during COVID-19.



Grassroots Match Official of the Year
Winner: Andy Wertheim

Andy is a referee that has a positive impact on the players he officiates. Giving players the utmost respect, which is reciprocated, Andy’s communication and ability to engage with the players is first class. He provides clear guidance and details during the games he officiates.



Grassroots Project of the Year
Winner: Diversity Football League

Diversity Football League has a huge impact on so many people from BAME communities across Oxford, especially the Kurdish, Eritrean, Nigerian, Romanian, Syrian and Pakistani communities. Delivering a Snickers Just Play session, engaging recreational players and delivering coaching workshops, the league has also had a wide impact on families across Oxford through its community work. Congratulations to the league, which was also named The FA’s National Grassroots Project of the Year.



Everyone at Oxfordshire FA would like to thank all of the 2020 winners and volunteers across the county for their hard work and contribution to grassroots football.

We will be announcing our Oxfordshire FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Award Winners for 2021 in the coming months!