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NEXXTGEN FOOTBALL CELEBRATES GRASSROOTS HEROES




Follow: @englandfootball


Who will you nominate for the Grassroots Football Awards? Acknowledge those devoted to the game.



The Grassroots Football Awards offer a chance to express gratitude to those dedicating their time to football. Volunteers who tirelessly contribute, rain or shine, deserve recognition for the significant and small moments they bring to the grassroots game.


By nominating them, you convey your appreciation for their time, energy, and innovative ideas that make the grassroots game exceptional. Let them know they are valued by everyone around them. Even a simple 'thank you' nomination makes them feel like a winner.


This year, the process is simpler. Share their story by informing us:


  • What they do and how it impresses you

  • How they make a difference in others' lives

  • Where they've had an impact in their community


Submit your nominations via the England Football website by April 3.


How the Awards Operate The awards encompass 12 categories, celebrating outstanding contributions from individuals, clubs, leagues, and projects in grassroots football.


  • Club of the Year

  • League of the Year

  • Match Official of the Year

  • Young Volunteer of the Year

  • New Volunteer of the Year

  • Coach of the Year - Female Pathway

  • Coach of the Year - Male Pathway

  • Coach of the Year - Disability Pathway

  • Grounds Team of the Year

  • The Lioness Award

  • Keeping Football Positive Award

  • Bobby Moore Award


Each County FA selects a local winner for each category from area nominations, forming a shortlist for national winners chosen by an FA judging panel.


Beyond heartfelt thanks, national 2024 Award winners will enjoy a unique experience.


Making Your Nomination Matter We aim to honour those embodying the best of football, applying these qualities to enrich local communities. Consider who impressed you, how they made a positive impact, and what they did to achieve it.


Let NexxtGen Football join you in celebrating these grassroots heroes.



Best wishes,



Charity Football Match for Oakley: A Rally of Support on the Pitch




For tickets contact: @wanderingcrows


Thanks also to @ware_fc / @ladsspeakoutfc_2023 & @memoryscentsx


In the heart of Ware, a community unites for a cause that transcends the boundaries of a football pitch. On Sunday, 17th March, at 6 pm, the hallowed grounds of Ware FC Stadium at Wodson Park will bear witness to a charity football match—more than a game, a testament to compassion, resilience, and the power of coming together for a greater cause.


The stadium, a splendid venue with its covered expanse, ensures that the elements won't dampen the spirits of those gathered to show their support. A welcoming clubhouse, complete with a bar and snacks, adds an extra layer of warmth to the atmosphere, creating a space where hearts beat in unison for little Oakley (@acornupdates)


The driving force behind this initiative is the remarkable Wandering Crows FC, a team whose commitment extends beyond the confines of football. With every match they play, they raise awareness and vital funds for charities that touch lives and make a difference. Their opponents, Lads Speak Out FC, join them on the pitch, carrying the torch for men's mental health—a cause that resonates deeply in the hearts of many.


The clash of these two teams is not just a display of skill and sportsmanship; it's a declaration that, together, we can bring about change. It's an embodiment of the belief that the pitch isn't just a battleground for goals but a canvas where stories of hope and support are painted with every kick of the ball.


Amidst the cheering crowd and the competitive spirit, the true goal emerges—to create a future where little Oakley's potential knows no bounds. As the teams face off, supporters in the stands become champions for a cause that extends beyond the field—a cause that touches the life of a little boy and his family.


The match is not just an event; it's a celebration of community, a coming together of hearts that beat in harmony for a shared purpose. It's an opportunity to make a tangible difference, where the purchase of a ticket becomes a gesture of solidarity, a step towards a brighter future for Oakley.


Tickets, priced at £7 for adults and free for children, are not just entry passes; they are tokens of support, contributions to a cause that tugs at the heartstrings of everyone involved. To secure your place in the stands and be part of this inspiring event, reach out to @WanderingCrows on social media, where the journey of support for Oakley continues.


The stalls surrounding the stadium add to the festive atmosphere, with the delightful presence of Memory Scents—a cherished contributor to the cause. In the midst of the football fervor, these stalls serve as reminders that, beyond the pitch, a community stands united, offering hope, love, and the promise of a better tomorrow.


As the whistle blows and the match unfolds, Ware FC Stadium transforms into a stage where the rallying cry for Oakley echoes loud and clear. Join this collective surge of support, witness the magic of unity on the pitch, and be part of a story that goes beyond football—a story of compassion, resilience, and the unwavering belief that, together, we can make a difference.


Best wishes,








Rising Above: Jack Fitzwater's Battle with Ulcerative Colitis




In the world of football, Jack Fitzwater, the 26-year-old defender, has showcased his prowess on the pitch, making over 100 appearances for Scottish Premiership side Livingston and joining Exeter City last summer. Yet, behind the scenes, Fitzwater grappled with a silent adversary that threatened to disrupt not only his career but his daily life.


"I was going to the toilet between 20-30 times a day. It was embarrassing and difficult from a mental and physical side. I was thinking to myself deep down, am I going to have to quit football?" Fitzwater candidly shared his struggles with BBC Sport.


As someone intimately acquainted with the challenges of ulcerative colitis, I resonate deeply with Fitzwater's journey. Diagnosed in December 2000, I am all too familiar with the debilitating nature of this illness. Fitzwater's openness about his experiences sheds light on the often-overlooked battles individuals face, even those seemingly at the peak of physical fitness.


The journey began with an urgency to visit the toilet, a seemingly innocuous issue that snowballed into something more ominous. "Every time I went to the toilet, there was blood in it. After matches, I was finding that my recovery was taking longer; I was tired all the time, no matter how much sleep I got," he revealed.


Hiding behind a facade of wellness, Fitzwater masked his symptoms until a breaking point during a family holiday in Ibiza. The relentless urgency to use the toilet became an overwhelming struggle, prompting him to seek medical help upon his return.


It was then that Fitzwater received a severe diagnosis - ulcerative colitis. A condition, unfamiliar to him, where the colon and rectum become inflamed, causing recurring diarrhoea, stomach pain, and a need for regular bowel movements. Despite being a robust athlete, Fitzwater discovered that health battles don't discriminate.


"I was waking up at 03:00 in the morning, going downstairs to reception and going to local toilets outside of the hotel, just to try and disguise it. I didn't want my family to know about it at the time," he shared, shedding light on the emotional toll of the condition.


Breaking the silence around his health, Fitzwater opened up about his struggles during Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week, aiming to destigmatise seeking help. "I think as a man, we think there's a stigma around not going to see your doctor - that it's a weakness and it's embarrassing. But it doesn't really pass unless you've got the right medication to deal with it."


The prevalence of ulcerative colitis is highlighted by Fitzwater's inclusion among the 296,000 individuals in the UK diagnosed with the condition. Despite the challenges, Fitzwater emphasises the importance of awareness, understanding, and access to proper medication.


"Because it's a hidden disability and people see a young, fit, healthy man using disabled toilets, they might give me a strange look. But little things like the card and the key are massive for the community that I'm now a part of," Fitzwater expressed.


Embracing his role as a member of Crohn's and Colitis UK, Fitzwater encourages dialogue and support for those facing similar challenges. His journey underscores the resilience required not just on the football field but in overcoming personal adversities with grace and strength.


"I knew of the word Crohn's but not colitis, so then I went on Instagram and Twitter to check out what it was. You think it's the end of the world at the time. But then when you know there's medication that can help you, you feel better about it," he concludes, emphasising the power of awareness and the crucial role medication plays in managing the condition.


As someone who has navigated the complexities of ulcerative colitis, I stand in solidarity with Fitzwater and echo his call for open conversations, understanding, and support for those battling this often-invisible illness.


Best wishes,









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